Information for Spouses
By: SERV
The Services Centre
The Services Centre develops and applies policies that improve the employment situation for foreign service spouses and partners in Canada and abroad. As well as providing advice and guidance to spouses, assignment officers, and departmental officials, the spousal employment program offers the following services:
Information during posting
While neither headquarters nor missions can act as employment agencies, nor can employment abroad be guaranteed, the Spousal Employment officer is available to to respond to inquiries, and to provide information on available tools, services and training programs. Contact with the mission is made where considered necessary. Spouses and or employees should contact the Spousal Employment co-ordinator, as soon as they are considering a posting.
Report on Spousal Employment opportunities
A comprehensive "2005 Spousal Employment Opportunities Report" provides a general description of the employment situation at each mission. Information on work permits, possible upcoming Locally Engaged or expat contract openings within the mission are provided, and in some cases, an attached list of potential local employers is included. This report, which is available on the department’s Intranet site, as well as in binder format for consultation at the Services Centre resource centre, should be consulted when considering a posting.
Spousal Employment workshops and training
Each spring prior to the posting season, spouses should plan to participate in the organized spousal employment related workshops and training, as well as any new courses initiated, in order to equip spouses for work at missions or to prepare them for the overseas job hunt. As well as workshops such as the "Career Development Workshop Series for International Workers”, “Starting Your Small Business”, "Self Employment Abroad" and "Teaching English/French as a Second Language", the department, via spousal employment, provides a training course in Basic Consular duties as well as Immigration training.
FSD 17 Allowances for professional dues and resume preparation
Where eligible, the Department will provide a reimbursable allowance for payment of professional or annual dues while abroad, and in some instances, the cost of job retraining for re-entry into the job force (FSD 17.01 and FSD 17.03). Employment related expenses such as résumé preparation or attendance at trade fairs is also available under certain circumstances (FSD 17.02). FSD 17.04 and FSD 17.05 can also provide, rent share benefits to allow the spouse to remain in Canada for part or all of the posting for employment or education reasons. For information on eligibility, and restrictions, employees and spouses should read the information in the FSD’s and consult Deborah Birrell/SERV, at 995-0384 for assistance.
Security Clearances
The Services Centre assists spouses who are posted abroad and who are likely to need a security clearance to work at the mission, by providing necessary forms, information and preparing the 'basic reliability check' for security clearances. Contact Nicole Truchon /SERV at 944-0500.
The Canadian AGORA
The Services Centre manages “The Candian Agora”, a database of résumés of spouses of rotational foreign service employees actively seeking contract or casual employment. Interested employers will search the database for potential candidates. Spouses and partners are strongly encouraged to add their resume to the Agora. Contact Deborah Birrell / SERV at 995-0384 for a password.
Reciprocal employment arrangements
The Department has signed Reciprocal Employment Arrangements with approximately 60 countries, allowing Canadian foreign service spouses to obtain work permits in these locations. Civil and Administrative Immunities are waived for the purpose of employment in these cases, and any employment earnings are liable for Canadian income tax. Obtaining a work permit can still be difficult in certain situations and in some countries. In many countries there are linguistic, legal, security and economic restrictions on employment of non nationals. The list of countries with REA’s is available on the Services Centre Intranet site or in the Services Centre.
Career Counseling
Career Counselling can be arranged for spouses of rotational personnel being posted abroad or returning to Canada. A professional Career Counsellor will provide feedback on resumes, help prepare for job interviews and provide guidance on networking and job search activities. Contact Danielle Simard at 995-8910.
Resource centre
A resource centre, with services to assist in job search, including telephone and computer access, is located in the Services Centre. Spousal employment has on hand career resource materials including a subscription to "Employment Abroad", copies of "The Canadian Guide to Working and Living Overseas" and books on résumé preparation and interview skills. The Services Centre occasionally receives notices of job openings with International Organizations which are posted on the bulletin board in the Resource Centre.
Direct communication with spouses
A newsletter, providing information on workshops, spousal benefits and employment issues, is forwarded directly to interested rotational spouses, two or three times each year. Spouses should make sure to advise Deborah Birrell / SERV of their e-mail and mailing address, to be added to the mailing list, or of any change of address.
Community coordinator program
Spousal employment administers the policy and budget of the Community Coordinator Program abroad. Community Coordinators who are on contract with the mission, provide welcoming and information services to new arrivals, including information on spousal employment, schooling for children and information on community resources. These part-time contracts become available each year in April and approximately 65 missions hire spouses as community coordinators.
Information for spouses returning to NCR
Spousal employment provides assistance to spouses returning to Canada initially by replying to inquiries on the employment situation prior to their return and then meeting with spouses on return to advise them of the services provided by the department including training, job search materials available, and the “Canadian Agora”. Spouses are also made aware of Career Counselling services, the Foreign Service Community Association, and the Counselling and Consultation Services.
Spouses and partners should plan to participate in the re-entry program which includes a “Setting Up Your Small Business” workshop and a “Career Development Workshop Series for International Workers”, to provide spouses with information on résumé preparation, job search techniques and how to get acquainted with the job market.