Global Affairs Canada Organizational Transformation Initiative

Established in June 2023, the Global Affairs Canada (GAC) - here forth referred to as DFATD -Transformation Team (Team Info) (DMFT) is responsible for coordinating and driving a department-wide, multi-year organizational transformation agenda to become a best-in-class foreign department and an employer of choice, and to ensure the department is well equipped to serve Canadians in meeting the global challenges of today and tomorrow, and to better deliver on its mandate to protect and advance Canada’s interests in a complex global environment.

DFATD’s organizational transformation will involve changes across the entire department to promote more effective and coherent policy development, programming, and service delivery including in the network of missions. The new simplified organizational structure will consolidate some functions and create more linkages within the department, notably with a strong horizontal function within the geographical branches. There is also strong emphasis on shifting the department’s culture to be more human-centred and to reduce red tape.

A key concern of DFATD’s Deputy Ministers and Executive Committee is to ensure that employees and all levels of management are not only engaged in transformation efforts but also prepared for and supported through multiple changes across the department in the coming years.

DMFT will offer the services of expert Leadership Development consultants with experience in Facilitation, Change Management and Organizational Development to build the capacity of leaders and their teams to successfully navigate multiple changes. These consultants under contractor will work with teams to co-develop and guide meetings, workshops, sessions, and events that will respond to teams’ unique priorities, needs and challenges. Attention will also be given to building leader capacity (manager level and above) to lead successful changes, including by developing peer support systems and tools to assist successful transitions.