Notice of Opportunity for Ministerial Appointment: College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants

Position

Board Director (part-time) of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants, starting in 2021 for a 1-year, 2-year or 3-year term. 5 positions available.

Description

Mandate of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants: To better protect newcomers and applicants to Canada from unscrupulous and fraudulent consultants, the Government of Canada announced in 2019 its intention to strengthen the regime governing immigration and citizenship consultants by implementing a new statutory College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Act is now in force and the College is expected to open in 2021.

The mandate of the CICC is to regulate the practice of immigration and citizenship consulting in the public interest, and it will operate as an arm’s-length institution from the Government of Canada.

• Mandate of the Board of Directors: The Board’s mandate is to manage the activities and affairs of the CICC. The initial Board of the CICC will be composed of 5 Ministerial Appointees and 4 elected members of the CICC.
• Key Activities: Board members will be expected to participate in CICC Board meetings, CICC’s Annual General Meeting, and any other activity outlined in CICC bylaws.
• Remuneration: This is a part-time position. Members do not become a part of the Public Service of Canada as a result of this Ministerial appointment. Members will be remunerated according to the CICC’s bylaws (Note: As part of transition, the previous regulator’s remuneration scheme will apply, until the CICC’s new bylaws take effect).
• Position Location / Time Commitment: Board meetings are expected to be held virtually during the current pandemic. In the future, meetings may be held virtually and/or at the CICC’s head offices (currently anticipated to be in Burlington, Ontario). If travel is required in the future, travel costs will be reimbursed according to the CICC’s bylaws.

How to apply

Candidates must submit an application to ircc.nominations-appointments.ircc@cic.gc.ca by March 5, 2021. The application must include the following:

• Curriculum vitae (c.v.), cover letter, and contact information
• Contact information for three references

Eligibility criteria and Qualifications

Education and experience criteria that will be assessed

To be considered, please ensure that the information provided in your curriculum vitae and cover letter clearly demonstrates how you meet the following requirements:

Education and Experience

• A degree from a recognized university in relevant field of study, or an acceptable combination of equivalent education, job-related training, or experience.
• Experience serving as a member of a Board of Directors of a public, private, or not-for-profit sector organization, or serving as a member on a departmental audit committee.
• Experience in implementing modern corporate governance principles and best practices in a culture of accountability and transparency.
• Experience in making decisions requiring an objective and careful balance of conflicting or contradictory considerations.
• Experience in the interpretation and application of legislation or regulations.
• Experience in managing or making decisions in at least one of the following areas: self-regulatory bodies, human resources, accounting and financial controls, project management, community relations, immigration or citizenship matters, stakeholder engagement, public relations, or public policy development.

Criteria that may be assessed

The following criteria are not essential but may also be assessed:

Asset Education

• A professional accounting designation (CPA), a law degree, or graduate-level degree in business or public administration, while not essential, would be considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes

• Strong understanding of modern professional regulation frameworks.
• Knowledge of current best practices in board / corporate governance.
• Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of a member of a Board of Directors including understanding of the principles of sound governance and business practices, corporate planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of corporate performance.
• Knowledge of rules of professional conduct and responsibility related to board membership, whether gained as being a member of a regulated profession or through education or research.
• Knowledge of immigration law, including the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Citizenship Act, and the role of immigration and citizenship consultants, would be considered an asset.
• Ability to discuss, foster debate among Board members, facilitate consensus and manage conflicts, should they arise.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with other Board members.
• Superior communication skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to manage communications with a variety of stakeholders.

Personal Attributes

• Leadership
• Relationship building
• Sound judgement, tact, and discretion
• High ethical standards and integrity
• Sensitivity to multicultural and gender issues
• Superior interpersonal skills
• Adaptability, flexibility and impartiality
• Initiative

Your references may be contacted to verify how you have demonstrated the above requirements in your current and recently held positions.

Official Languages and Diversity

The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency and diversity in assessing candidates for these positions. You are therefore encouraged to indicate your ability to speak and understand your second official language in your application. The Government is committed to ensuring that its appointments take into consideration the desire to achieve gender parity and reflect Canada’s diversity, in terms of linguistic, regional and employment equity representation. You are therefore encouraged to indicate in your application if you are a member of one or more of the following groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with a disability, visible minority. Please note that there is no requirement to provide this information, i.e. provision of this information is voluntary.

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Appointment

• Statutory - An individual is not eligible for appointment if that individual:
  • is less than 18 years of age;
  • is not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
  • has the status of bankrupt;
  • has a family relation with an employee of the CICC;
  • has been or is convicted of any criminal, regulatory, or similar offence;
  • is a licensee of the CICC;
  • or is employed in any capacity in the federal public administration.
• Board Members will be required to attend Board meetings on a regular basis throughout the year.
• Following the pandemic, Board Members may be required to travel to the CICC headquarters (currently anticipated to be in Burlington, Ontario) for Board meetings.
• Board Members will be remunerated in accordance with the by-laws of the CICC. (Note: As part of transition, the previous regulator’s remuneration scheme will apply, until the CICC’s new bylaws take effect).

If you are appointed to this position:

You must comply with the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders throughout your appointment as a term and condition of employment. The guidelines are available on the Governor in Council Appointments Web site, under Reference Material.

You will be subject to the Conflict of Interest Act. For more information, please visit the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner’s website.

A roster of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar opportunities. You will be notified if you are to be included in the roster.