Canadian Government Executive - Volume 22 - Issue 5

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May 2016 // Canadian Government Executive / 15
Culture
team members. Temporary assignment
opportunities for regional PGs at Head-
quarters are being considered, which
would allow for knowledge transfer and
shared learning, build the CBSA’s national
contracting capacity, and contribute to a
renewed sense of cohesiveness and collab-
oration across the Agency. Staffing efforts
have also included welcoming employees
on secondment from other departments
as well as CBSA employees from different
branches.
Informal learning events have been or-
ganized, such as “Brown Bag Lunch” ses-
sions on topics such as Security in Con-
tracting and SMART Procurement. These
learning opportunities increase knowl-
edge and technical skills, as well as soft
skills, and ensure that employees feel val-
ued. The SPCOD also extends invitations
to PGs in other departments to participate
in our learning events.
Commitment to the Certified Federal
Specialist in Procurement (CFSP) desig-
nation is strong within the SPCOD. Two
SPCOD members are pursuing Level II
Certification, and a growing number of
employees are now certified in Level I.
Over 95% of the SPCOD team is enrolled
in the program. Management is commit-
ted to providing the time and funding re-
quired for the team to pursue certification.
Engaging with Organization
and Colleagues
The CBSA Contracting team is committed
to learning more about the CBSA itself
and the operational reality it supports.
This is being achieved through field trips
to operational sites, including the Ottawa
International Airport, a port of entry, the
CBSA laboratory, the CBSA College in
Rigaud, and two immigration holding cen-
tres. Each trip offered substantive learn-
ing opportunities, providing the team
with a better understanding of the clients
they support: this is an essential compo-
nent of the team’s success. Being seen as
partners who support the Agency’s agenda
is critical, and operational visits remind
corporate groups such as Contracting why
the team exists.
The SPCOD regularly liaises with
procurement personnel in other orga-
nizations, sharing information on best
practices and lessons learned. Internal
documents, such as decks and briefing
notes, are shared wherever possible. Of-
ten, the same initiatives are occurring
across departments, and the time and
effort that can be saved by sharing work
already undertaken is substantial. Open
discussion and sharing of ideas has led to
the SPCOD finding successful alternate
sourcing strategies for critical commodi-
ties. This type of community-minded ef-
ficiency is critical to the success of the
entire PG group.
The Contracting team at the CBSA is
transforming the PG group within the
Agency, and ultimately influencing the
PG community across the Government of
Canada. Effective partnerships and rela-
tionships are key: they must be built on a
community of confident, knowledgeable,
strategic, client-service oriented PGs.
Where Do We Go From
Here?
With shifting expectations, staffing chal-
lenges, and scarce resources, contracting
teams across the federal government may
feel daunted. This is a thrilling time to
be a PG: a time to effect real change and
shape the future of the PG group. Working
together, the community has the chance to
rise to this challenge.
With leadership and support from the
most senior levels, we can achieve this vi-
sion for a PG community: a vibrant, capable
procurement function that protects the in-
terest of the government, enables business,
and is valued by clients as a partner.
Jessica S ultan is the Director of
Strategic Procurement and Contracting
Operations at the CBSA.