Decision-Maker (Member)

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 specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

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.

Duties

The Refugee Protection Division (RPD) is the largest of four divisions within Canada's largest independent administrative tribunal, the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). It is a fast-paced, innovative and engaging work environment; focused on quality practices and decisions.

The RPD Member is responsible for determining whether refugee protection claims made in Canada will be accepted or rejected.

LEAD REFUGEE DETERMINATION HEARINGS
RPD Member responsibilities involve planning, and preparing for refugee claim hearings in a timely manner. RPD Members lead hearings with refugee claimants present where information is canvassed appropriately, and procedural fairness and natural justice are respected.

RPD Members are expected to use effective questioning techniques in hearings - including depth, breadth, focus and neutrality of questions. Members also possess a strong ability to listen actively, respond effectively and adjust lines of questioning as the hearing progresses.

ANALYZE EVIDENCE AND WRITE DECISIONS
RPD Members are responsible for crafting decisions in a timely manner that will clearly explain to refugee claimants the reasoning for their decision including their analysis of complex facts and the application of relevant law and guidelines.

In order to both lead hearings and then render decisions, RPD Members have a thorough understanding of refugee case law, administrative tribunal principles, relevant legislation, Regulations and RPD Rules - as well as other policy instruments. RPD Members have the analytical skills to both understand interlocking facts, and know what guidelines are most appropriate to apply to the case in front of them.

WORKING WITH THE PUBLIC
The RPD Member role is public facing. Members come into contact with a wide variety of people with different backgrounds on a daily basis. They are expected to uphold the Public Service Values and show utmost respect to all parties in the hearing room.

Work environment

The RPD Member role is unique in that it provides the opportunity to make a difference in the world. The RPD offers continuous training and professional development to its employees, allowing them to become experts in immigration and refugee law, world geography and cultures, managing hearings, and many other areas.

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. With this high volume work RPD Members have access to various workplace flexibilities such as telecommuting and flexible work hours, as well as an accessible downtown location.

Intent of the process

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

Individuals who apply to this process may be considered for developmental positions at a lower level. These positions are currently under classification review. Consideration for developmental positions will be based on assessment results obtained during the process.

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)

EDUCATION - STREAM 1 & STREAM 2

Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution

Note:
• The term “degree” refers to a baccalaureate as established by educational authorities.
• The term “institution” refers to a public or private institution that has been given authority to grant degrees by a public or private act of a provincial/territorial legislature or through a government-mandated quality assurance mechanism. For greater certainty, also included are institutions authorized to grant specific academic credentials for specific academic programs.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE - STREAM 1

At least one year of significant* work experience drafting documents in a time sensitive manner.

AND

At least one year of significant* work experience managing multiple projects, files or cases that require organization, prioritizing and respecting at times short deadlines

EXPERIENCE - STREAM 2

At least two years of significant* work experience as a decision-maker in an administrative tribunal or court of law.

OR

At least two years of significant* work experience presenting cases before an administrative tribunal or court of law.

*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.

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

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS - STREAM 1 & STREAM 2

EDUCATION

Graduation with a degree in law (LL.B. / J.D. / LL.L. / B.C.L.) from a recognized post-secondary institution.

Post-secondary studies in immigration, refugee, migration, settlement, or diaspora resulting in a certificate or degree from a recognized post-secondary institution.

Degree equivalency

One year of work experience assessing and analyzing complex and contradictory information in order to render recommendations/decisions, determine a strategy or course of action or prepare a document.

One year of work experience conducting interviews to elicit or verify information in order to write reports, make decisions or recommendations.

Experience in applying the provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the purposes of immigration or refugee decisions in matters determined by the IRB or in the application of the United Nations Conventions relating to the Status of Refugees

Experience working within another order of government (province, territory, or municipality) in the fields of immigration, refugee, migration, settlement, diaspora, or with vulnerable populations.

Experience working in Canada or overseas with humanitarian or organizations, working directly with vulnerable populations, or people at risk such as Care Canada, Red Cross, etc.

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*
Other linguistic profiles

*You must be able to work in English AND in French.

You will be required to complete three (3) tests (Reading Comprehension, Written Expression and Oral) to determine your second official language proficiency.

Information on language requirements

COMPETENCIES - STREAM 1 & STREAM 2

Information Seeking
Judgement and Reasoning
Decision Making
Self-Control (linked to the hearing room)
Results Orientation
Values and Ethics
Effective Interactive Communication – Written and Oral*

*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)

EXPERIENCE

At least one year of significant* work experience drafting documents in a time sensitive manner.

Experience in conducting research or investigations and analysis in an adjudicative tribunal, court of law or immigration (including refugee) context

Experience working internationally in the area of migration, refugees, human rights, or another related field.

International work experience

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 the following Employment Equity groups: visible minorities, and persons with disabilities. Therefore, we encourage candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a member of one of these groups.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

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.

Successful candidates must be willing and able to attend up to a ten (10) week training program. Candidates may be required to travel to another city to attend training.

Willingness and ability to work outside the public service's core business hours (Mondays to Fridays) as per Article 25.11 in the Program and Administrative Services Collective Agreement.

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 designated 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.

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.

APPLICATIONS

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.

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.

ASSESSMENT STRATEGY

Qualifications indicated on this advertisement may be assessed and/or validated 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, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

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