About the joint audit and evaluation
- In 2019, the Office of Audit and Evaluation conducted a preliminary assessment of Foundational Science and Research. Agricultural science capacity was one of the areas recommended for audit and evaluation by the preliminary assessment.
- The evaluation assessed the Accelerated Staffing Initiative’s activities and outcomes from 2018-19 to 2022-23 using multiple lines of evidence including: a review of documents and data, key informant interviews, discussion groups and a comparative review.
- The audit portion assessed whether a control framework was in place to manage human resources science capacity in support of achieving Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) science objectives.
Science capacity — human resources
- The Science and Technology Branch at AAFC manages agricultural science capacity through the maintenance of a network of research and development centres across Canada with scientific expertise, technical staff, specialized equipment and facilities to conduct science research.
- From 2018-19 to 2022-23, Science and Technology Branch completed an Accelerated Staffing Initiative to strengthen science capacity and modernize science expertise by hiring new scientific staff in emerging science priority areas in advance of expected retirements.
What we found
Evaluation
- The Accelerated Staffing Initiative achieved its objectives of strategically accelerating Science and Technology Branch’s scientific staffing by September 2021 to meet AAFC’s current and future research needs and avoiding any net increase in science staff by end of fiscal 2022–23.
- Four lessons learned were identified for future staffing initiatives: enhancing support during the planning phase of recruitment; providing clearer messaging to applicants to manage their expectations as well as to protect AAFC’s reputation; continuing to make staffing and recruitment processes more inclusive; and strengthening the provision of mentorship to new hires.
Internal audit
- AAFC has implemented elements of a control framework to manage human resources science capacity in support of achieving AAFC’s science objectives.
- Opportunities exist for further improvement in the areas of human resources planning to address current requirements for research scientists and science professionals and long-term requirements for science support staff; onboarding materials and tools specific to research scientists and science professionals; and monitoring tools for human resources planning.
Recommendations
Recommendation 1: Science and Technology Branch, Assistant Deputy Ministers should strengthen HR planning to address current HR requirements for research scientists and science professionals and to address long-term HR requirements for science support staff.
Recommendation 2: Science and Technology Branch, Assistant Deputy Ministers should develop onboarding materials and tools specific to research scientists and science professionals.
Recommendation 3: Science and Technology Branch, Assistant Deputy Ministers should ensure that tools are in place to enhance the monitoring and oversight of HR planning activities for the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Science.
Management response
Management agrees with the audit recommendations and has developed action plans to address them by September 2025.