On this page
Important messages
About the position
Work environment
Intent of the process
You need (essential for the job)
Language requirements (essential for the job)
You may need (asset qualifications)
General information
Organizational need
Conditions of employment
Our commitment
Equity, diversity and inclusion
Preference
How to apply
Hiring organization contact
Important Messages
Assessment accommodations are designed to remove the obstacles without altering the criteria being assessed, and to allow candidates to fully demonstrate their abilities. Should you be invited to participate in a written exam, an interview, or any other form of assessment, you will receive an e-mail including additional information on the assessment format so that you can determine if you may require an accommodation.
About the position
Stream 1: Refugee Protection Division (RPD)
The RPD is the largest of four divisions within the IRB, Canada's largest independent administrative tribunal. The RPD is a fast-paced, innovative, and engaging work environment, where Members are expected to deliver a high number of decisions pertaining to refugee claimants.
RPD Members determine whether refugee protection claims made in Canada are well-founded or not, delivering their decisions orally and in writing, with claimants or other parties present. Other duties include vacating or ceasing refugee status, for example, in cases where misrepresentations or changes in circumstances are later discovered.
Important note
RPD Members are exposed to difficult written narratives and oral testimony, including narratives of violence, trauma, sexual assault, crime, genocide, torture, and political persecution. RPD Members must be able to maintain composure and navigate these areas to obtain the necessary evidence on which they must base their decisions in a high-volume environment.
Lead refugee determination hearings
RPD Members prepare for and preside over refugee claim hearings, then issue decisions respecting refugee claims. Most RPD hearings are held on a virtual platform, though some occur in person at IRB premises.
RPD Members conduct hearings with claimants present. Legal counsel, witnesses, and other parties or observers are often also present. RPD proceedings and decisions are recorded. RPD Members’ decisions are subject to higher reviewing bodies, including the Federal Court. Consequently, RPD Members must maintain a very high standard of oral and written communication, which must be concise, focused and legally-sound and can be easily understood.
RPD Members work independently, composing and revising their decisions with limited administrative support.
RPD Members use effective questioning techniques to obtain important information in the refugee claims before them. The depth, breadth, and focus of questions will vary from case to case. RPD Members must be active listeners and must be able to spontaneously adjust lines of questioning as hearings progress. Often, this involves making complex and difficult credibility assessments as evidence unfolds. RPD Members are expected to remain calm and to manage the hearing so that it is meaningful, effective, procedurally-fair and completed on time.
RPD Members must promote procedural fairness and natural justice principles, which includes remaining neutral and open-minded in hearings and decision-making.
Analyze evidence and write decisions
RPD Members must deliver clear, concise, and cogent decisions that clearly explain to claimants the reasons for the results of their claims, whether positive or negative. Decisions will almost invariably include an analysis of complex events, including the RPD Member’s findings respecting a claim’s general credibility, and the application of relevant legislation, case law and policy guidelines to the facts of each case. Some decisions are simple and short while others can be very legally-complex.
To be successful, RPD Members must not only have a thorough understanding of refugee case law, administrative law principles, relevant legislation, policy instruments, and the rules of natural justice, they must also be able to swiftly apply their understanding during the hearings (often in situations where there is incomplete information), and in rendering decisions.
RPD Members are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics as their comportment and decisions influence the public’s confidence and trust in the IRB and in the integrity of Canada’s refugee and immigration system. RPD Members must adhere to the Code of Conduct for Members of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.
RPD Members are also expected to complete cases in a timely manner and to be flexible with unpredictable scheduling, caseload, and case types.
Please note that for bilingual positions, RPD Members must be able to work effectively in English AND in French, including rendering oral decisions in both official languages.
Stream 2: Immigration Division (ID)
The ID is one of four divisions of the IRB. ID Members conduct detention reviews and admissibility hearings. Unlike the IRB’s other three divisions, ID Members’s workload is composed entirely of cases referred to it by the Canada Border Services Agency.
ID members require similar competencies to those expected of members in other divisions, yet the nature of ID Members’ work can be especially challenging.
Notably, expectations include but are not limited to:
Rendering well-reasoned decisions orally at the conclusion of each hearing, with very limited scope – given the statutory time limits and high-volume caseload – to reserve and render decisions in writing later.
Conducting hearings in a high security or correctional environment with significant background noise and rudimentary facilities or by videoconference or teleconference with hearing participants in multiple locations, or in person.
Managing voluminous files and exhibits, primarily in the form of a digital file.
Dealing professionally and compassionately with individuals who are suffering from mental illness or addictions, and who may not understand the nature of the proceedings.
Presiding at hearings with significant media interest.
Presiding over cases involving individuals who may have engaged in serious criminality, crimes against humanity, or acts of terrorism.
The ID is a high-volume tribunal and ID Members are expected to keep pace with their workload, meet tight deadlines, and render a high number of quality decisions.
ID detention reviews are considered an essential service with statutory time-limits that must be met. This requires ID Members to be flexible and, in some cases, work outside regular business hours.
Please note that for bilingual positions, ID Members must be able to work effectively in English AND in French, including rendering oral decisions in both official languages.
Work environment
At the IRB, inclusion is part of how we work every day. We aim to build a workplace where people feel respected, supported, and able to succeed. The work we do has a lasting impact on people and communities across Canada. To do it well, we rely on diverse perspectives and experiences that reflect the country we serve today and in the future. We are committed to creating an environment where employees can grow, contribute, and make a difference. If you’re looking for meaningful work in an inclusive organization, we encourage you to apply.
Intent of process
This process will be used to staff positions in two different groups:
Stream 1: PM-06 Member, Refugee Protection Division (RPD)
Stream 2: PM-06 Member, Immigration Division (ID)
This process 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, and deployment) and with various linguistic profiles.
Public service employees who are at the same group and level may be considered first for a deployment.
Positions to be filled: TBD
You need (essential for the job)
Your Résume
Education
Required for both streams:
Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution or a satisfactory score on the Public Service Commission test approved as an alternative to the completion of university.
Note:
The term “degree” refers to a baccalaureate as established by educational authorities.
The term “Recognized post-secondary 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.
If you were educated outside of Canada, you must obtain Degree equivalency through a recognized agency that is a member of the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services Canada.
Experience
Required for both streams:
EE1: Significant* experience assessing and analyzing contradictory information or conducting investigations to elicit or verify information to present recommendations or render a decision
EE2: Significant* experience in the interpretation or application of legislation, policies, or directives
EE3: Experience assessing a high-volume of complex** information coming from a large number of sources to make a recommendation or render a decision
EE4: Significant* experience in summarizing or conveying information contained in reports, summaries, and/or briefing material and presenting findings orally or in writing
Definitions:
*Significant experience is defined as the depth and breadth of work experience normally associated with having performed the duties for a minimum of five (5) years.
**Complex is defined as involving multiple competing issues raised in a delicate or highly sensitive context and involving multiple parties.
Knowledge
Required for stream 2 (ID) only:
Knowledge of administrative law principles that guide the functioning of an independent administrative tribunal and Members in carrying out their responsibilities
Knowledge of the Canadian immigration system
Note: Knowledge requirements will be assessed in a separate interview before appointments.
Abilities and competencies
Required for both streams:
Ability to efficiently preside over hearings involving multiple people or stakeholders
Ability to make decisions quickly and to present them in a succinct, clear and compelling way
Judgement and reasoning in decision-making
Ability to work under pressure and manage time-sensitive priorities
Ability to work with technology such as, but not limited to, word processing and email communication, collaboration tools (Microsoft Teams), presentation software, etc.
Assertiveness
Self-control
Working effectively with others
Demonstrating integrity and respect
Effective interactive oral communication
Effective interactive written communication
Language requirements (essential for the job)
Various language requirements:
French essential
English Essential
Bilingual imperative CBC/CBC
Bilingual imperative CCC/CCC
To help you understand the language requirements of the position you can review the Requirement of bilingual positions.
Second language writing skills self-assessment
To help you decide if you should apply to a bilingual position, you may take the Unsupervised Internet Test of Second Language Writing Skills. This is an optional self-assessment available for you to take before completing your application.
You may need (asset qualifications)
Education
A Bachelor of Law degree
Experience
AE1: At least two (2) years experience as a decision maker presiding over hearings and rendering decisions at an administrative tribunal or a quasi-judicial organization
AE2: At least two (2) years experience presenting cases before an administrative tribunal or court of law
AE3: Experience interpreting and applying legislation, regulations, and constitutional law to prepare decisions or present cases in the area of immigration law or refugee law or criminal law
AE4: At least two (2) years experience in presenting cases before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
General information
You must meet the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position.
You may be required to meet the asset qualifications, or the organizational needs, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed.
You are entitled to participate in the selection process in the official language of your choice. You are required to indicate your preferred official language in your application.
Our intention is to communicate with you by e-mail. You MUST check your email accounts frequently as there may be a deadline for responses. Watch your junk/spam mailbox in your email to ensure you do not miss an email, since they can often be automated and may look like junk mail.
Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent; we will contact you when the screening process is completed.
Workplace and telework
IRB decision makers must comply with the Direction on prescribed presence in the workplace. This arrangement is subject to change at the employer’s discretion.
For candidates whose primary residence is located 125 kilometres or more from the nearest IRB office location (Vancouver, Calgary, Etobicoke, Toronto, Ottawa, or Montreal), a full-time telework agreement may be discussed and implemented at the time of hiring in accordance with the operational needs of the position to be filled.
Relocation
All newly-appointed employees other than 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 $5,000, subject to certain provisions.
Federal public servants who accept a position will be relocated under the National Joint Council Relocation Directive.
Organizational need
To support our employment equity goals, preference may be given to candidates who self-declare as members of an Employment Equity group in accordance with organizational needs.
The IRB is committed to facilitating the placement of IRB employees affected by Workforce Adjustment (WFA). We are encouraging all 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, they cannot be appointed ahead of other affected qualified candidates.
Conditions of employment
Both Streams (RPD and ID):
Reliability security clearance
Secret security clearance
Stream 2 (ID):
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.
Both streams (RPD and ID):
Ability to maintain permanent residency status or Canadian citizenship throughout the duration of employment
Willingness and ability to work overtime
Individuals who are appointed are required to swear the oath or 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.
Our commitment
We're 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 contact the hiring organization below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.
Learn more about assessment accommodation.
Equity, diversity and inclusion
The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the population it serves. We promote employment equity and encourage you to self-declare if you belong to one of the designated employment equity groups when you apply.
Learn more about diversity and inclusion in the public service.
Preference
Preference will be given to veterans first, followed by Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of jobs located in Nunavut or Yukon. For positions located in Nunavut, qualified Inuit enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement will be appointed first. For positions located in Yukon, qualified Yukon First Nations will be appointed first, followed by qualified Indigenous persons. Learn more about preference to veterans.
How to apply
Only applications received directly via the VidCruiter Platform will be accepted.
Documents required
Proof of your education credential(s) and Canadian citizenship or permanent residence will be required.
Education outside Canada: It is your responsibility to ensure you have your certificates and/or diplomas assessed against Canadian education standards. It is best to start the education assessment process right away since it can be time-consuming to prevent any delays later on if you pass the assessment phase.
Assessment strategy
All assessments will be conducted through the VidCruiter Recruitment platform.
You must complete a Digital Literacy Test along with your application. You will be provided access to the Digital Literacy test once you have completed your application, however changes to your application can be made up until the deadline of October 5, at 11:59 pm Pacific Time.
Instructions regarding the test can be found on the application platform.
Pass marks will be established for each qualification.
Volume management strategies, such as random selection, top-down approach, invoking any asset(s) and/or cut-off scores, as well as the level, extent or degree of skill achieved in one or more qualifications MAY be used at any point in the staffing process. This means achieving the pass mark is not a guarantee of an appointment or that you will be put through to the next stages of the assessment process.
You may be assessed using one or more of the following tools: standardized tests, written exams, interview, simulation exercise, candidate assessment report, and other assessment tools.
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.
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
- other exceptional circumstances
We'd like to thank all those who apply.
Hiring organization contact
Name: The selection board
Email address: irb.26-IRB-EA-BD-09-517807_PM-06.cisr@irb-cisr.gc.ca
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