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 :

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.

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.

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

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

French Essential

Bilingual Imperative CBB / CBB*

Bilingual Imperative CBC / CBC*

Bilingual Imperative CCC / CCC*

Other linguistic profiles

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)

Values and Ethics

Effective Interactive Communication Written and Oral*

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 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 / she cannot be appointed ahead of other affected qualified candidates.

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.