Member, Refugee Protection Division - Inventory

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request special accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Information on accommodation for persons with disabilities

When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.

Only on-line applications will be accepted. Persons who are unable to apply on-line must contact the Human Resources Advisor listed below.

Duties

The Refugee Protection Division (RPD) is one of four divisions within Canada's largest independent administrative tribunal, the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). Members of the RPD are hired as public servants within the larger public service and enjoy the same terms and conditions of work. However, they are independent decision makers at an independent administrative tribunal operating at arm's length from government.

The RPD Member is responsible for determining whether refugee protection claims made in Canada will be accepted or rejected under the provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and its regulations. Members need to deal with claims in an efficient manner and must render decisions orally at a hearing unless it is not practicable to do so. Members need to be well organized as they are required to carry a heavy case load.

The RPD Member's responsibilities involve listening, gathering, analyzing, incorporating and summarizing complex facts to determine the nature of each case; identifying and interpreting jurisprudence and relevant Canadian, foreign and international law; listening to complex legal arguments presented by parties or by self-represented claimants. Members need to fully prepare each case in in order to be effective leading the hearing.

The RPD Member conducts the review and in-depth analysis of files, analyzes the nature of the issues, verifies the relevant facts, identifies and clarifies the need for additional related information, effectively questions claimants and takes appropriate actions during the hearing and makes quality decisions on refugee claims. Members lead and control the hearing room and ensure that procedural fairness and natural justice are respected. Members need to effectively synthesize information both in the hearing room and in their decisions.

Occasionally, the RPD Member acts as a coach to new RPD Members, to teach them the basics of their work and ensure that they acquire the necessary knowledge through the use of various techniques.

The RPD Member also participates in regular meetings of RPD Members, RPD professional development sessions and in the work of committees set up to improve the procedural or substantive performance of the RPD. The RPD Member provides advice and feedback on policy initiatives proposed by the management of the RPD and the Board.

Work environment

The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) is Canada's largest independent administrative tribunal. It is responsible for making well-reasoned and timely decisions on immigration and refugee matters, efficiently, fairly and in accordance with the law. The IRB decides, among other responsibilities, who needs refugee protection among the thousands of claimants who come to Canada annually. The RPD is a high volume tribunal and members are expected to carry a fairly heavy workload, meet tight deadlines and render a high number of quality decisions.

The IRB is looking for highly skilled individuals that are:
- Well organized and able to work under time constraints;
- Capable of leading focused proceedings;
- Capable of rendering oral decisions;
- When necessary, capable of writing well-structured and focused decisions;
- Capable of meeting strict quality requirements while carrying a heavy case load.

Intent of the process

This inventory may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to staff similar or identical positions with various security requirements, various tenures (indeterminate, specified period, deployment, acting, casual employment, part-time worker, assignment and secondment) and with various linguistic profiles.

The Immigration Division, which conducts detention reviews and admissibility hearings, intends to use this pool to staff member positions when such positions become available.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution.

Degree equivalency

Candidates must meet one (1) of the experience qualifications. If a candidate meets more than one of the experience qualifications it may be considered an asset. Candidates must demonstrate how they meet each experience qualification in their application.

Option 1: A minimum of two (2) years of significant experience (see note 1) obtained in the last ten (10) years in interpreting and applying legislation and regulations and in gathering and assessing complex and at times contradictory information in order to prepare decisions;

OR

Option 2: A minimum of three (3) years of significant experience (see note 1) obtained in the past ten (10) years conducting investigative interviews, validating information and writing journalistic or academic articles or reports.

OR

Option 3: A minimum of two (2) years of significant experience (see note 1) obtained in the past ten (10) years doing research and analysis and producing reports or articles in a field relevant to the positions being staffed such as migration, refugee studies or international relations;

OR

Option 4: A minimum of two (2) years of significant experience (see note 1) obtained in the past ten (10) years working in an adjudicative capacity in an administrative tribunal or court of law (see note 2)

Notes:

Note 1: Significant experience will be assessed based on the extent, the recentness, the complexity, and diversity of the work to be performed in addition to the level of direct responsibility for a variety of complex files and/or projects.

Note 2: Working in a tribunal or court of law is not limited to employees but would also include persons appearing before them if appearing forms a significant part of their duties.

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

Graduation with a degree in law from a recognized post-secondary institution (see note 3)

Note 3: For the purposes of this selection process, a degree in law means LL.B. / J.D. / LL.L. / B.C.L.

Post-graduate degree in political science, sociology or other relevant field of study from a recognized post-secondary institution

Degree equivalency

One (1) year work experience as a decision maker in an adjudicative tribunal or in a court of law.

Two (2) years’ experience in applying the provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in matters determined by the IRB or in the application of the United Nations Conventions relating to the Status of Refugees.

Two (2) years’ experience in presenting cases before an administrative tribunal or court of law.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

Various language requirements
English Essential
French Essential
Bilingual Imperative CBB/CBB
Bilingual Imperative CBC/CBC
Bilingual Imperative CCC/CCC

Information on language requirements

Second Language Writing Skills Self-Assessment
In order to help you decide if you should apply to a bilingual position, an optional self-assessment of your writing skills in your second official language is available for you to take before completing your application.

For more information, please consult:
Unsupervised Internet Test of Second Language Writing Skills

Knowledge and understanding of the Principles of Natural Justice

Commitment to learning
Effective Interactive Communication (oral and written)*
Cross Cultural Sensitivity
Self-Confidence
Decision making
Information Seeking
Judgment / Reasoning Skills
Results Orientation
Self-Control
Values and Ethics

*Separate pass-marks will be established for oral and written communication

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS

The IRB would like its workforce to be reflective of the population it serves. As a result, preference may be given to candidates who are members of an Employment Equity group: Aboriginal persons, visible minorities, persons with disabilities. Therefore, we encourage candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a member of one of these groups.

Placement of IRB employees affected by Workforce Adjustment (WFA):

In order to ensure placement of IRB employees affected by Workforce Adjustment (WFA), we are asking all affected employees who are interested in this position to apply. Since a pool of qualified candidates will be established from this process, we will proceed with the assessment of all candidates. However, should affected employees qualify; they will be appointed prior to other qualified candidates.

It is important to note that if an employee is no longer affected by WFA at the time of appointment, he cannot be appointed ahead of other affected qualified candidates.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENT

Willingness to accept an assignment to another division (Immigration Division or Refugee Protection Division) of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada at management discretion.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Willingness and ability to travel across Canada

Willingness and ability to work overtime

The successful candidates for each position must be willing to relocate to the respective city of appointment (Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary or Vancouver).

Individuals who are appointed are required to swear the oath or give the solemn affirmation of office set out in the rules of the Board before their first hearing as per Section 152.1 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the targeted groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

GENERAL INFORMATION

Candidates are entitled to participate in the selection process in the official language of their choice. Candidates are required to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

For this selection process, our intention is to communicate with candidates by e-mail. Candidates MUST check their email accounts frequently as there may be a deadline for responses.

Candidates whose applications are selected for screening will be contacted when the screening process is completed.

APPLICATIONS

Public Service Resourcing System (PSRS): will time out after 60 minutes; this may result in your inability to save your work or loss of data. It is recommended that you draft ALL RESPONSES as well as your CV/résumé in another document on your PC which may be saved (e.g. in MS Word or WordPerfect) and copy/paste into the PSRS when completed.

It is recommended that you periodically update your application for the assessment process to ensure all your experience is captured. Candidates may be selected for further assessment or for appointment based on the depth and breadth of experience identified in their application.

Applications within this inventory are valid for a period of 365 days (1 year). Before the expiry of this refresh period, you will be required to resubmit your application in order to ensure your continued consideration for this selection process. You will be notified 30 days before the expiration of the refresh period in order to provide you with the opportunity to resubmit your application.

WAITING PERIOD FOR REASSESSMENT

The retest period for re-assessment within the context of this selection process is 365 days (1 year) from the date of elimination at either the written exam, interview, or reference stage of the process. If you submit an application to this selection process before the retest period has elapsed your application will not be considered.

Please note that if you have previously participated in selection process 15-IRB-EA-09-919348 or 16-IRB-EA-09-920772 (Member, Refugee Protection Division) with the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, your results may be applied to the current process. This will be confirmed during the assessment stage of the selection process. You are required to submit an application to this selection process to be considered further.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

Proof of your education credential(s) and Canadian Citizenship will be required. Education and Citizenship MUST have been acquired at the time of application.

If you are currently an indeterminate or term public servant a copy of your current letter of offer will be required.

ASSESSMENT STRATEGY

Qualifications indicated on this advertisement may be assessed throughout the selection process effective from the time you submit your application. This includes any correspondence (written or oral) with Human Resources and Management.

You may be assessed using one or more of the following tools: standardized tests, written exams, interview, simulation exercise, reference check, and other assessment tools.

Pass marks will be established for each qualification. However, achieving the pass mark is not a guarantee of an appointment or that candidates will be put through the next stages of the assessment process. A cut-off score, top-down approach or random selection may be used at any step if there is a sufficient number of candidates to meet anticipated staffing needs.

Timelines for this process are very strict. The onus is on candidates to make themselves available for each assessment session.

Scheduling of alternative assessment dates will ONLY be considered for the following reasons with proof:

• Religious reasons;
• Death in the family;
• Medical reasons;
• Conflicting exams; or
• Other exceptional circumstances

TRAVEL

Please note that in order to proceed with assessments, candidates may be required to travel to the closest assessment location (such as IRB Regional Offices or other assessment centres).

Travel cost for individuals who are not Federal Public Servants will not be covered.

Federal Public Servants' travel will be covered in accordance with the National Joint Council's Travel Directive.

RELOCATION

All newly appointed employees other than EX/GIC appointees to the Federal public service, who accept an indeterminate or term position of at least one year, will be relocated under the Initial Appointees Relocation Program.

The Initial Appointees Relocation Program provides newly appointed employees with the sum of up to five thousand dollars ($5,000), subject to certain provisions.

For more information on the Initial Appointees Relocation Program please visit the following website: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pubs_pol/hrpubs/tbm_113/iairp-prinefp-eng.asp

Federal Public Servants who accept a position will be relocated under the National Joint Council Relocation Directive.

For more information on the Relocation Directive please visit the following website: http://www.njc-cnm.gc.ca/directive/index.php?dlabel=nrd-drc&lang=eng&did=6&merge=2

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.