Evaluation of Global Engagement/Military Diplomacy

ADM
Assistant Deputy Minister
ADM(Fin)
Assistant Deputy Minister (Finance)
ADM(IM)
Assistant Deputy Minister (Information Management)
ADM(Mat)
Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel)
ADM(Pol)
Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy)
ADM(RS)
Assistant Deputy Minister (Review Services)
CA
Canadian Army
CAF
Canadian Armed Forces
CDA
Canadian Defence Attaché
CDAO
Canadian Defence Attaché Office
CDLS(L)
Canadian Defence Liaison staff (London)
CDLS(W)
Canadian Defence Liaison staff (Washington)
CDS
Chief of the Defence Staff
CFINTCOM
Canadian Forces Intelligence Command
CJOC
Canadian Joint Operations Command
DCDA
Deputy Canadian Defence Attaché
DFATD Act
Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act
DFL
Director of Foreign Liaison
DGISP
Director General, International Security Policy
DM
Deputy Minister
DND
Department of National Defence
DRF
Departmental Results Framework
DVCDS
Deputy Vice Chief of the Defence Staff
DWAN
Defence Wide Area Network
FTE
Full time Equivalent
FY
Fiscal Year
GAC
Global Affairs Canada
GC
Government of Canada
GES
Global Engagement Strategy
HOM
Head of Mission
MND
Minister of National Defence
MOD (UK)
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
MOU
Memorandum of Understanding
NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
OCI
Office of Collateral Interest
OGD
Other Government Departments
OHOC
Official Hospitality Outside Canada
OPI
Office of Primary Interest
PCO
Privy Council Office
PMEC
Performance Measurement and Evaluation Committee
PRMNY
Permanent Resident Mission in New York
RCAF
Royal Canadian Air Force
RCN
Royal Canadian Navy
SJS
Strategic Joint Staff
SSC
Shared Services Canada
SSE
Strong, Secure, Engaged (2017 Defence Policy)
TB
Treasury Board
TBS
Treasury Board Secretariat
THCEE
Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures
US
United States
VCDS
Vice Chief of the Defence Staff

Overall Assessment

  • During the last five years, the need for the Military Diplomacy Program, particularly the CDA activities has increased – 11 new CDA Offices have been added recently.
  • There is a need to conduct a systematic and periodic review of CDA Office strategy and approach in view of the defence priorities.
  • Timely advice and information provided by CDAs have been described as very valuable by all Program-recipients.
  • There is a need to review and revise the interdepartmental Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with GAC to reflect CDA Office representation needs outside of Canada.
Table 1. Summary of Key Findings and Recommendations. This table provides a consolidation of report findings and recommendations.
Key Findings Recommendations
Relevance
1. There is evidence of ongoing need for Military Diplomacy activities. Recent Defence Policy (SSE, 2017) places substantial focus on Military Diplomacy and CDA’s role and contribution to diplomacy and global engagement. See Recommendation 1
2. During the evaluation period, there was an increase in the number of CDAs. Recently, the number of CDA Offices was increased by 11. See Recommendation 1
3. The Military Diplomacy Program aligns with federal roles and responsibilities. Although DND/CAF works in cooperation with OGDs in the conduct of Military Diplomacy, there is no evidence of a duplication of roles. See Recommendation 1
4. The Military Diplomacy Program aligns with Government and Departmental priorities. However, the evaluation could not find any evidence whether the current locations of CDA Offices align with the recently renewed Defence Policy (SSE, 2017) and GES.

1. Ensure that there is a systematic and periodic review of CDA Office strategy and approach in view of the defence priorities stipulated in the Defence Policy (SSE) and GES.

OPI: DFL/VCDS
OCI: ADM(Pol)

Performance – Effectiveness
DND/CAF, GAC and Government of Canada (GC) Decision Makers are informed by current and up-to-date information on foreign defence and military affairs
5. Most Program-recipients expressed a high level of satisfaction with the quality and timely advice and information provided by CDAs. See Recommendation 2
6. Some challenges were observed in receiving information from countries, where CDAs were accredited, due to the distances involved to the accredited countries and limited resources. However, it was underlined that having no CDA presence would make it extremely hard to secure a view of a specific region. See Recommendation 2
7. Currently, CDA reports do not have a standard format. Program-recipients indicated having a standard format would increase the value of CDA reports.

2. Review and standardize the CDA report formats, so that they have a common look and feel, and provide Program-recipients with timely and relevant information.

OPI: DFL

8. Information and advice provided by CDAs add value for better decision making.

3. Leverage CDAs in areas such as policy advice at an earlier point rather than at the back end, which is the current practice.

OPI: ADM(Pol)
OCI: VCDS

9. A more coordinated effort in defence engagement at large is required, preferably in a negotiated and well thought out visit plan format for each country, particularly for key priority regions. See Recommendation 4
10. Challenges continue in the area of global engagement involving a collective view, particularly prior to decisions that concerned interdepartmental collaborations.

4. (4.1) Review and develop a system to track the number of global engagement visits the Department staff takes annually, including the number of people, frequency of visits, name of the organizations involved, and results achieved.

(4.2) It is recommended that the VCDS direct the establishment of a team to lead the review.

OPI: VCDS
OCI: SJS/DFL

Cooperation is enhanced between the DND/CAF and foreign defence and military forces through engagement
11. CDAs’ presence has been instrumental to HOM, particularly in those embassies where the CAF has ongoing missions. -
12. Over the years, budget constraints have impacted the implementation of the GES. It is believed that, the revised version of the GES, particularly its Annexes, will provide constructive guidance to CAF leadership, when conducting defence engagement. -
13. Based on interviews with Program-recipient stakeholders, CDA contributions have also been valuable in establishing and maintaining Defence industrial relations, despite the fact that it is not seen as a high-priority role for CDAs. -
Performance – Efficiency
Demonstration of Efficiency in the Military Diplomacy Program
14. DND/CAF has not adopted the Official Hospitality Outside Canada (OHOC) policy for CDAs that was established by GAC.

5. Re-examine the possibilities of adopting a policy similar to GAC’s OHOC policy on hospitality that would allow greater flexibility for CDAs while maintaining rigorous oversight and reporting.

OPI: DFL/VCDS
OCI: ADM(Fin)

15. The requirement for suitable housing has been a long-standing issue for CDAs, following a GC decision that eliminated entitlements for official residences.

6. Review and revise the interdepartmental MOU signed with GAC to reflect CDA Office representation needs outside of Canada.

OPI: DFL/VCDS
OCI: ADM(Fin)/JAG

16. Currently there is no mechanism in DND/CAF to capitalize on the knowledge and experience of CDAs upon their return. Often, many CDAs retire after their posting, or are employed in unrelated CAF jobs upon their return.

7. Review and assess the opportunities for the Defence Attaché employment modelling practices used in Allied countries.

OPI: VCDS/CMP

17. None of the CDAs have access to the DND computer network abroad. This has resulted in impediments to communication and dissemination of information and reports.

8. Review and explore the option of using the appropriate network for sharing of CDA reports with DND/CAF, Five-Eyes and other Allies as required.

OPI: DFL
OCI: Assistant Deputy Minister (Information Management) (ADM(IM))

Table 1 Details - Summary of Key Findings and Recommendations

ADM(RS) Recommendation

ADM(RS) Recommendation
ADM(RS) Recommendation

Key Finding 9: A more coordinated effort in defence engagement at large is required, preferably in a negotiated and well thought out visit plan format for each country, particularly for key priority regions.

ADM(RS) Recommendation
Table 2. DND Transfer of funds to GAC and SSC from FY 2013/14 to FY 2016/17. Source: Director Budget / ADM(Fin). This table shows payments to GAC made by DND for accommodations and services from FY 2013/14 to FY 2016/17.
  FY 2013/14 FY 2014/15 FY 2015/16 FY 2016/17 Variation since FY 2013/14
Transfers to GAC $2,112,480 $3,886,534 $3,918,768 $7,046,702 234%
Transfers to SSC $67,100 $59,502 $68,564 $152,875 128%
Table 2 Details - DND transfer of funds to GAC and SSC from FY 2013/14 to FY 2016/17
Table 3. DFL2 and CDA Office Expenditures from FY 2012/13 to FY 2016/17. Source: ACL. This table shows operating costs for DFL/CDAOs from FY 2012/13 to FY 2016/17.
ELEMENTS FY 2012/13 FY 2013/14 FY 2014/15 FY 2015/16 FY 2016/17 Variation since FY 2012/13
DFL expenditures other than travel and hospitality under 3180AA (for all CDAs) $2,237,396 $1,115,219 $1,877,905 $1,243,080 $2,015,687 -10%
DFL 2 expenditures under 3180AB $613,511 $572,707 $712,912 $632,763 $646,560 5%
TOTAL $2,850,907 $1,687,926 $2,590,817 $1,875,843 $2,662,247 -7%
Table 3 Details - DFL2 and CDA office expenditure from FY 2012/13 to FY 2016/17
Table 4. Travel expenditures for both the CDAOs and CDLS Washington, London and PRMNY from 2012/13 to 2016/17. Source. ACL. This table shows travel expenditures for all CDAO from FY 2012/13 to FY 2016/17.
TRAVEL EXPENDITURES FY 2012/13 FY 2013/14 FY 2014/15 FY 2015/16 FY 2016/17 Variation 5 years
CDLS London $209,565 $158,520 $209,165 $174,444 $159,425 -24%
CDLS Washington $653,254 $420,061 $399,954 $357,375 $306,946 -53%
PRMNY $110,207 $92,072 $36,605 $52,647 $60,802 -45%
CDAOs $1,383,425 $1,186,406 $935,000 $984,994 $985,036 -29%
Total travel expenditures $2,356,451 $1,857,059 $1,580,724 $1,569,460 $1,512,209 -36%
Variation according to previous year - -21% -15% -1% -4% -
Table 4 Details - Travel expenditures for both the CDAOs and CDLS Washington, London and PRMNY from FY 2012/13 to FY 2016/17
Table 5. Hospitality expenditures for CDAO and CDLS London, Washington and PRMNY New York from 2012/13 to 2016/17. Source: ACL. This table shows hospitality funding for all CDAOs from FY 2012/13 to FY 2016/17.
HOSPITALITY EXPENDITURES FY 2012/13 FY 2013/14 FY 2014/15 FY 2015/16 FY 2016/17 Variation 5 years
CDLS London $59,955 $58,596 $64,841 $43,729 $36,141 -40%
CDLS Washington $85,695 $109,368 $114,207 $117,423 $107,169 25%
PRMNY $11,172 $6,979 $4,431 $2,387 $3,885 -65%
CDAOs $281,462 $305,373 $353,872 $359,520 $323,722 15%
Total travel expenditures $438,284 $480,316 $537,351 $523,059 $470,917 7%
Variation according to previous year - 10% 12% -3% -10% -
Table 5 Details - Hospitality expenditures for CDAOs and CDLS London, Washington and PRMNY from FY 2012/13 to FY 2016/17
ADM(RS) Recommendation

Key Finding 15: The requirement for suitable housing has been an issue for CDAs, following a GC decision that eliminated entitlements for official residences.

ADM(RS) Recommendation
Table 6. CDAs, retired and/or cross-posted to another CDAO, or employed in the CAF in a different position. Source: DFL 2. This table shows post-employment of CDAs returning from post from 2013 to 2017.
YEAR (Annual Posting Season) End of Tour as CDA Retired right after CDA Tour Cross-posting to another CDAO Employed in the CAF, but not as a CDA Still in the CAF at Annual Posting Season 2017
2013 10 6 0 4 3
2014 11 8 1 2 0
2015 7 6 1 0 1
2016 12 7 4 1 1
2017 10 6 1 3 3
TOTAL 50 33 7 10 8
- - 66% 14% 20% -
Table 6 Details - CDAs, retired and/or cross-posted to another CDAO, ore employed in the CAF in a different position
ADM(RS) Recommendation
ADM(RS) Recommendation

ADM(RS) Recommendation

ADM(RS) Recommendation

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Table B-1. Evaluation Limitations and Mitigation Strategies. List of the limitations of the evaluation and the corresponding mitigation strategy.
Limitation Mitigation Strategy
Distinguishing the CDAs’ activities and their engagement with GAC from the entirety of DND/CAF’s Global Engagement Program.
Based on the recommendation from the July 2017 PMEC committee, the purpose of this evaluation was to assess CDA activities and engagement with GAC and effectiveness of those activities.
The evaluation team was careful in the scoping phase of the evaluation to determine the outputs and outcomes of the CDAs’ activities and their engagement with GAC. Although there are many outputs and outcomes of DND/CAF’s Global Engagement/Military Diplomacy Program, the evaluation only assessed what was determined to be the most important aspects as requested by PMEC.
Number and diversity of internal and external stakeholders. The evaluation team found that the Program has many stakeholders and Program-recipients within DND/CAF and outside organizations. Due to short timelines it was difficult to set interviews with all Program-recipients involved. The evaluation team emphasized the use of a questionnaire to obtain facts, evidence and opinions from CDAs and DCDAs. The return rate was close to 95 percent, giving credibility to the data. In addition, the team validated the information with DFL through interviews
Interview bias. Interviews access the subjective impressions of stakeholders and, as such, can lead to narrow, very wide, or potentially biased views. Insights derived from interviews required corroboration from at least one other source, either objective data or agreement with other interviewees. Also, the questionnaire allowed the evaluation team to survey a much larger sample population (as compared to interviews) to allow for better generalizations about program performance. All interviews were conducted by three interviewers in order to confirm and enhance understanding and to minimize bias.
The use of DPRs and DRRs to determine expenditures at various levels was a challenge as the figures posted in annual reports were updated at multiple occasions in subsequent reports. To ensure proper tracking by readers, fair comparisons between FYs and to keep trend analysis of performance data in the report is applicable to the identified FY.
Lack of centralized financial data covering the Program. Existing data was leveraged to the extent possible. The evaluation team had to rely on all other available sources of information (interviews, questionnaires) as evidence to support the evaluation findings.
Compressed timing. The evaluation mandate was received in August and had to be completed from August 2017 (planning) to January 2018 (draft report) while an evaluation usually take 12 to 18 months to be delivered. The evaluation team interviewed as many stakeholders as possible. The interview list continued to develop throughout the evaluation process and interviews were conducted as new stakeholders were identified.
All stakeholders were informed of the effect created by the compressed timeline and contributed to the study in accepting changing their schedule to accommodate the evaluation.
In hindsight, with the number of stakeholders involved, a questionnaire should have been conducted instead of individual interviews.
Table B-1 Details - Evaluation Limitations and Mitigation Strategies
Figure C-1

Figure C-1. Logic Model for the Global Engagement/Military Diplomacy Activities within the Global Engagement Program.
This flowchart shows the relationship between the program’s main activities, outputs and expected outcomes.
Figure C-1 Details - Logic Model for Global Engagement / Military Diplomacy
Table D-1. Evaluation Matrix—Relevance. This table indicates the data collection methods used to assess the evaluation issues/questions for determining the Program’s relevance.
Evaluation Matrix—Relevance
Evaluation Issues/Questions Indicators Literature & Document Review Key Informant Interviews CDAs Questionnaire Comparative Analysis with Allies Program and Financial Data Review
1. Is there a continuing and future need for the Global Engagement /Military Diplomacy Program? 1.1 Evidence of ongoing need for Global Engagement/ military diplomacy activities (importance and utility of CDA program to its users) Yes Yes Yes No Yes
2. Does the Global Engagement/Military Diplomacy Program align with the federal roles and responsibilities? 2.1 Alignment of the Program with government acts and legislation Yes No No No No
2.2 Extent of duplication of Military Diplomacy Program activities that are the responsibility of OGDs, agencies, or the private sector (role of GAC in comparison to DND/CAF) Yes Yes No No No
2.3 Alignment between the Program and DND/CAF roles and responsibilities Yes No No No No
2.4 Evidence of complimentary or duplicate activities Yes Yes Yes No No
3. Does the Global Engagement/Military Diplomacy Program align with Government and DND/CAF priorities? 3.1 Alignment between the Program activities and DND/CAF priorities Yes No No No Yes
Table D-1 Details - Evaluation Matrix – Relevance

Table D-1 Summary: This table indicates the sources of evidence used to assess the evaluation issues and questions for determining the relevance of the Program. The study used three evaluation questions to determine the Program’s relevance these questions appear listed in the left-hand column, each under its own subheading. Select a question and read across that row to learn, first, the indicators used to assess the corresponding relevance question. Read across the following five columns to learn the sources of evidence used to evaluate the question. From columns three to five, the sources of evidence are literature and document review, key informant interviews, CDAs questionnaire, comparative analysis with Allies, and program and financial data review. 

Table D-2. Evaluation Matrix—Performance (Effectiveness). This table indicates the data collection methods used to assess the evaluation issues/questions for determining the Military Diplomacy Program’s performance in terms of achievement of outcomes (effectiveness).
Evaluation Matrix—Performance: Achievement of Expected Outcomes (Effectiveness)
Evaluation Issues/Questions Indicators Literature and Document Review Key Informant Interviews CDAs Questionnaire Comparative Analysis with Allies Program and Financial Data Review
4.1 To what extent are DND/CAF, GAC, and GC decision makers informed by current and up-to-date information on foreign defence and military affairs? 4.1.1 Evidence of up-to-date and timely information is received by stakeholders Yes Yes Yes No No
4.1.2 Evidence of response to changes in world politics and Canadian priorities Yes Yes Yes Yes No
4.1.3 Existence of a coordinated effort for high-level visits/collective view of DND/CAF Yes Yes Yes No No
4.2 To what extent are cooperation and networking enhanced between the DND/CAF and foreign defence and military forces through engagement? 4.2.1 Extent of cooperation between DND/CAF and foreign defence and military forces Yes Yes Yes No No
4.2.2 Extent of CDAs’ impact on cooperation and international missions Yes Yes Yes No No
4.3 To what extent has DND/CAF an effective network based on its global engagement through CDAs? 4.3.1 CDAs’ impact on cooperation and international missions Yes Yes Yes No No
4.3.2 Degree of engagement with international defence industry Yes Yes Yes No No
Table D-2 Details - Evaluation Matrix – Performance: Achievement of Expected Outcomes (Effectiveness)
Table D-3. Evaluation Matrix—Performance (Efficiency). This table indicates the data collection methods used to assess the evaluation issues/questions for determining the Global Engagement/Military Diplomacy Program’s performance in terms of efficiency.
Evaluation Matrix—Performance: Demonstration of Efficiency
Evaluation Issues/ Questions Indicators Literature and Document Review Key Informant Interview CDAs Questionnaire Comparative Analysis with Allies Program and Financial Data Review
5.1 Is the Military Diplomacy Program delivering in an efficient manner? 5.1.1 Trends in expenditures Yes Yes No No Yes
5.1.2 Impediments to global engagement activities Yes Yes Yes No Yes
5.1.3 Efficiency of the employment model used for CDAs – comparison to allied countries Yes Yes Yes No Yes
5.1.4 Possibilities for improvement in service delivery Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Table D-3 Details - Evaluation Matrix – Performance: Demonstration of Efficiency 


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