Job Specification

Purpose :

PURPOSE
To render decisions on the eligibility of applicants for nomination for permanent residence in accordance with the objectives and legislative requirements of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.
To contribute to the overall achievement of OINP objectives by participating and providing expertise in the development and implementation of program and operational policies, procedures and processes.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Analysis and Decision Making
- Determines eligibility of applications in accordance with program objectives, established program criteria and guidelines, and existing legislative and regulatory requirements.
- Interprets and applies legislation and regulations to determine whether to grant an approval or a refusal of an application.
- Evaluates the assessment of the applicant's eligibility for nomination; reviews and reconciles complex and at times contradictory information to determine applicant qualifications against program criteria; and rationalizes the decision to grant an approval or a refusal of an application.
- Identifies issues/concerns with information provided by the applicant to make a decision; communicates issues/concerns with applicant; and considers new information or documentation in determining eligibility for nomination.
- Renders decisions within the context of a risk management lens; identifies contentious, sensitive or potentially fraudulent applications and develops options/recommendations to mitigate risk.
- Provides written notice of the final decision to the applicant; explains in detail the reasons for the refusal of an application in consideration of program eligibility and regulatory requirements; and, where appropriate, sets out conditions for an approved application.
- Records and rationalizes the final decision through clear, objective, comprehensive and understandable case notes.
2. Policy and Program Development
- Participates in working groups within the branch/ministry and provides input/advice on the revision/development of applications guidelines and instructions to applicants, program criteria and operational policies, processes and procedures.
- Provides advice/input on recommendations for program improvements and efficiencies that meet the changing needs of the provincial economy and labour market. Ensures that options and recommendations meet objectives, and consider factors such as stakeholder needs and interests, implementation issues, and immediate and longterm impacts on the program and operations.
- Provides advice/input on measures to improve the compliance and enforcement of the Ontario Immigration Act and its regulations.
- Prepares draft briefing materials on operational policies and issues for review by the manager and senior management.
3. Relationship Building and Communications
- Collaborates with program staff through case conferencing on complex applications to ensure adherence with program operational guidance and regulatory requirements; and to problem-solve and resolve contentious issues. - Contributes to ministry and inter-jurisdictional committees to identify and discuss emerging issues and common areas of interest with respect to provincial nominee programs; collaborates with divisional staff to develop and implement program policy, regulatory amendments and quality assurance activities.
- Contributes to the development of communications materials and responds to inquiries and requests for information on economic immigration and the provincial nominee program.
- Researches and coordinates information to respond to requests from the Minister's office, senior management and other ministry staff.
- Participates in the planning, development and delivery of staff training and orientation programs and information initiatives relevant to the assessment and processing of applications; coaches new staff and provides advice and guidance to support their assessment of applications, interpretation of the Ontario Immigration Act and its regulations and communication with applicants.

Knowledge / Skill :

Knowledge of and skills in:
- The mandate, role and the application process of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program to render decisions on the eligibility of applicants for nomination for permanent residence status.
- The interpretation and application of the Ontario Immigration Act, and related federal legislation (e.g.
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), Canada Ontario Agreement on Provincial Nominees, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA), to review applicant applications and supporting documents to render decisions on eligibility.
- Case management principles and best practices to analyze and manage complex application files and communications associated with the nomination process.
- Program development processes and government legislative and decision-making structures to participate in the development of program and operational frameworks that meet the objectives of the program.
- Program and operational analysis/evaluation techniques to provide recommendations for change and assess the effectiveness of new/changed programs and procedures.
- Research and analytical methods and techniques to conduct program analysis, identify options, and develop andrecommend program efficiencies; and to formulate options for resolving program-related issues.
- Organizational and planning skills to set priorities and manage a high volume of case files within established procedures and mandated timeframes.
- Technical expertise to train and mentor new staff and assist them in their understanding and interpretation of program criteria, regulations and legislation pertaining to immigration selection.
- Oral and written communication skills to prepare correspondence to applicants, reports, presentations, Minister's letters, briefing materials and other program-related documentation; and to discuss case files with applicants, employers and others as appropriate.
- Case management operating systems, the Microsoft Suite of applications (particularly Word and Excel), and other spreadsheet programs to record case notes and prepare briefing materials, correspondence, policy materials/submissions and reports.

Position requires a Criminal Review and Judicial Matters security clearance.

SENIOR PROCESSING OFFICER (DES) POSITION ONLY: Oral and written proficiency in French at the advanced level

Interpersonal / Influencing Skill :

- Communication and interpersonal skills to provide advice and information to staff, applicants, and the public regarding the nomination process and decisions.
- Partnership building and relationship management skills, to establish cross ministry and inter-jurisdictional linkages, foster collaborative internal relations and nurture partnerships with stakeholders.
- Consultation and communication skills to participate on ministry and inter-jurisdictional committees and working groups.

Analyzing / Problem Solving Skill :

Analyzing and problem-solving skills to:
- Interpret and apply relevant legislation to a range of issues regarding applicant processing and determining eligibility; and, provide advice regarding non-routine issues.
- Define and assess program and system problems, evaluate directions, trends, standards and policies to identify requirements, develop options and make recommendations.
- Conduct research and collect relevant data for analysis and the development of options.
- Synthesize information, evaluate, identify and recommend program and operational policy options for issue resolution.
- Analyze a range of program specific issues, developing, preparing and recommending efficiencies for program, operational policies and procedures.
- Render decisions within the context of a risk management framework and legislative and regulatory requirements.

Decision Making / Responsibility :

Responsible for:
- Determining whether to grant an approval or a refusal in accordance with the Ontario Immigration Act and its regulations.
- Exercising sound judgement when referring complex, sensitive or potentially fraudulent applications for discussion with team leads or managers to collaborate on appropriate course of action.
- Providing input to the review, analysis and development of operational policies and programs.
- Conducting research to stay current with changes in legislation, regulations, immigration trends and other relevant citizenship and immigration issues.
- Representing the program's interests when participating on ministry and inter-jurisdictional committees, meetings and work groups.
Has latitude to: communicate with applicants to provide technical explanations on the application of program criteria and obtain additional information as required; develop relationships and networks with other provinces/territories and the federal government to obtain information and collaborate on projects.
Decisions are guided by government/ministry priorities, federal and provincial legislation, precedent setting cases, operating guidelines and procedures, divisional goals, and ministry policies, procedures, and directives.

Contacts / Stakeholder :

- Program staff and divisional management to provide specialist advice in the interpretation of legislation as it pertains to the nomination and eligibility processes.
- Counterparts in other jurisdictions (e.g. provinces, territories, federal government) to exchange information and to provide advice on committees and working groups.
- Applicants to apprise them of the status of their application, provide information on program criteria or to request further documentation.

Guidance / Supervision :

- Mentors and offers expertise and advice to OINP staff, supports program development and improvements (advising/informing deliverables)

Demands / Pressures :

Work Demands :

- Frequently required to deal with deadlines which are subject to change without notice, priorities that are not anticipated or contentious issues which arise unexpectedly and require quick turnaround for issues management

Mental / Sensory :

- Frequent requirement to concentrate when reviewing case files and preparing responses, presentations and briefing materials.

Conditions / Environment :

Work is performed in a typical office environment.