A career in the Canadian Foreign Service
On this page
- Foreign service executive administrative assistants
- Foreign service information technology professionals
- Foreign service officers
- Foreign service executives
- Contact us
Global Affairs Canada’s (GAC’s) Canadian foreign service workforce, or diplomatic service, is a worldwide network of professionals working in Canada and at Canada’s missions around the world, including embassies, consulates and high commissions. The Canadian foreign service advances Canada’s foreign policy interests and values on the world stage through policy development, programs and operations.
The Canadian foreign service workforce comprises 4 groups:
- Foreign service executive administrative assistants
- Foreign service information technology professionals
- Foreign service officers
- Foreign service executives
Members of the Canadian foreign service typically rotate between assignments in Canada and abroad every 2 to 4 years. Known as rotationality, this aspect of their career is a condition of employment.
The Canadian Foreign Service is a good fit for you if you are ready to:
- Alternate work in the Ottawa-Gatineau region and abroad and have a different job position every few years
- Represent Canada, speak publicly, work in teams and meet new contacts on a regular basis
- Move on a regular basis and spend approximately half of your career outside of Canada
- In most cases, have your spouse and immediate family accompany you on your Foreign Service postings abroad
- Move on your own without your spouse or immediate family to countries that have security concerns
- Be away from your extended family and friends for 2 to 4 years at a time
- Accept an assignment to a foreign country you did not choose and where security, health or social challenges may exist
- Work long hours on emergencies or high-profile events, responding to challenging circumstances, or demanding work requests with limited resources
- Adopt exemplary behavior around the clock as a Canadian diplomat abroad
- Advance positions which can change, or may not align with your personal beliefs, values and convictions
- Accept and embrace different cultures and environments, even when you feel unsettled
- Accept pressures that the Foreign Service way of life puts on you, your spouse and your immediate family. This is especially true if your family has special circumstances (e.g. health, education)
Foreign service executive administrative assistants
Foreign service executive administrative assistants provide essential, timely and diverse support to the heads of mission (for example, the ambassador or high commissioner), deputy heads of mission, as well as senior executives at Headquarters.
They coordinate communications and travel, plan agendas and arrange logistics for various functions, including major events. Their role involves contributing to the development and management of office policies and procedures and collaborating with different Canadian or foreign government stakeholders.
Foreign service information technology professionals
Foreign service information technology professionals manage and support the Government of Canada’s international and domestic information technology and security infrastructure.
They manage and maintain global communications systems and are responsible for cybersecurity and emergency response support. In addition, they provide internal technical support.
Foreign service officers
The role of foreign service officers is to define, shape and advance Canada’s interests and values on the world stage.
Foreign service officer careers include various specializations based on academic and personal interests, experience and suitability. There are 4 streams of work, outlined below.
International assistance officers
International assistance officers work with Canadian, multilateral, international and local partners to develop policies and manage programs in support of Canada’s international assistance objectives.
They work to reduce the vulnerability of people in crisis situations, including armed conflicts, acute food insecurity and natural disasters. They provide humanitarian assistance through bilateral and multilateral institutions.
Management and consular officers
Management and consular officers play a critical role in ensuring that Canada’s diplomatic and consular missions abroad are safe, effective and sustainable. They plan and manage mission operations and security, play a leadership role in mission governance and oversee emergency management in response to natural and human-made disasters.
They also develop and lead the strategic approach to consular affairs, including providing client service help to Canadians travelling, working and living abroad.
Political-economic officers
Political-economic officers (formerly foreign policy and diplomacy service officers) engage in foreign policy development, bilateral relations, multilateral diplomacy, international security, public affairs, programming and reporting. Officers in this stream are expected to increase their insight, engagement and advocacy on economic issues.
The Political-Economic stream works closely with all branches across the department. Together, as OneGAC, they collaborate to advance shared priorities, particularly strengthening strategic autonomy and diversifying trade, including through economic diplomacy.
Trade commissioners
Foreign service officers in international business development are known as trade commissioners. They assist members of the Canadian business community navigate international markets and develop export and investment opportunities.
Trade commissioners provide Canadian companies with key business insights and access to a network of international contacts. They also negotiate and implement Canada’s broad trade agreements.
Learn more about Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service.
Foreign Service Executives
As rotational foreign service officers progress in their careers and gain various experiences and abilities, they may choose to apply for rotational executive roles, such as head of mission or deputy head of mission.
Contact us
Follow us on social media:
Related links
- Date modified:
