Job Specification

Purpose :

To coordinate the operations and administration of the Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal, liaise with stakeholders and hearing parties, assist the Tribunal Chair, and provide advice on hearing policies and procedures.

To coordinate contentious issues, mange communications and media relations support, and provide media relations advice to management.

Key Responsibilities :

Hearing Administration:

Coordinates day-to-day Tribunal operations, and provide planning, coordination and support for Tribunal pre- and post-hearing activities, identifies potential panel members, attends hearings and ensures hearing records/notes are completed, and coordinates Tribunal workload with other Tribunal staff.

Provides official correspondence of the Tribunal, including notices of hearing, and assists the Tribunal Panel in drafting official orders, decisions and reasons;

Manages/coordinates correspondence, media relations, and communications including contentious issues. Manages linkages and ensures ongoing information flow, management and approval of all communications materials (e.g. ministry briefings).

Liaison and Stakeholder Relations:

Explains the hearing process, Tribunal powers and procedures to parties and counsel, advises parties of recourse following a Tribunal decision, and provides verbal confirmation of appeal outcome to counsel.
Provides ministry representation by participating in committees to draft and review rules of procedure, case management, and other items.

Liaises with management to advise and provide interpretation of hearing decisions for parties, ministry officials, and the media, and acts as the ministry liaison with hearing parties, members of the public and the media in response to inquires on Tribunal decisions/orders.

Liaises with counsel and parties to determine jurisdiction, define issues, identify interested parties, schedule hearings and reconsideration requests; liaises with legal branch to consult on appeals, respond to applications for judicial review or Ombudsman complaints, and seek advice on legal matters.

Advice and Interpretation:

Provides advice to Chair, counsel, and members on legislation, regulations, policies, pre-filed materials and prior Tribunal decisions, as well as pre-hearing procedures including adjournments, stays, the summoning of witnesses, interveners, filings, and disclosure of evidence, and acts as registrar for hearings.

Is ministry lead for Tribunal in providing information required for the Minister and Chief Administrative Officer's offices, as well as providing general information to parties, the public, the media; provides publication/distribution of annual bound volumes of Tribunal decisions.

Knowledge / Skill :

Proficiency in oral and written French language skills at an advanced level.

Tribunal's role, policies and procedures; statutes and regulations from which the Tribunal derives its authority, including ministry and related legislation (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Act, Statutory Powers Procedure Act, Farm Products Marketing Act, etc.), and awareness of other statutes and related regulations, as well as provisions of environmental regulation pertaining to the Board of Negotiation.

Principles of natural justice, procedural fairness, legal process/court system;ability to interpret legislation and weigh evidence in an adjudicative setting.

Freedom of information and protection of privacy legislation and related regulations, other policies and directives governing confidentiality as related to Tribunal policies and procedures, information management and archiving procedures.

Administrative/financial directives, policies, procedures related to procurement to track, monitor, advise Tribunal members on per diems, travel, meal, accommodation and other expenditures.

Organization and planning in order to arrange and oversee Tribunal hearings, and conduct trouble shooting to ensure smooth daily operations.

Written and oral communications skills in order to prepare and edit written materials and presentations, and provide interpretation and information about the Tribunal, its processes, and written decisions.

Computer software including word processing, spreadsheets, internet, e-mail, presentations to prepare correspondence, decisions, and other written materials, and access information and communicate with staff, stakeholders and members of the public.

Interpersonal / Influencing Skill :

Interpersonal skills to represent the Tribunal and/or manager at committees and meetings, act as liaison for the Tribunal and provide advice/direction to the Chair, other tribunal members, parties and counsel.

Facilitation and relationship-building skills in dealing with the media, parties, agri-food sector, municipalities, consultants, tribunal members, management, ministry officials and the general public, as the Tribunal's representative on confidential/sensitive issues.

Consultation skills to build relationships with parties, and to provide advice.

Tact and diplomacy in dealing with wide range of competing interests, including management, chair, vice chair, tribunal members, parties, counsel, public, media in accurately communicating panel decisions.

Analyzing / Problem Solving Skill :

Analytical and problem-solving skills to:

Research, evaluate, and provide issues management to identify, research, and assess problems and contentious issues.

Provide advice and recommendations to the chair, management and others involved for resolution of issues.

Provide solutions to Tribunal operational issues.

Decision Making / Responsibility :

Responsible for:

Day-to-day operation of the Tribunal, including preparation, conducting and follow up of administrative and support procedures.

Coordinate communications through the management of senstitive issues and their resolution.

Providing liaison between the Tribunal/Chair, manager, the Ministry, and parties.

Has latitude to provide explanation and interpretation of Tribunal decisions, and to manage and coordinate the communication of contentious issues and the handling of media relations.

Decisions are guided by: government financial administration policies/procedures; local protocols, program guidelines.

Contacts / Stakeholder :

Ministry management and senior management, including the Deputy, ADM, directors, managers and staff, to manage and coordinate issues.

Chair, Vice Chair, Tribunal members in order to provide support and advice on the hearing process.

Hearing parties and their legal counsel/specialists, in order to provide information about the hearings process, related procedures, and to exchange information.

Members of the public, landowners, and parties to explain process and details of hearings and decisions; committees and meetings to represent the ministry.

Marketing boards and other agricultural organizations, the media, individuals, or groups seeking recourse to Tribunal, elected municipal officials, municipal staff, engineering consultants, farm implement manufacturers, distributors and dealers.

Demands / Pressures :

Work Demands :

Routinely deals with unexpected changes to deadlines, tight time pressures, conflicting work priorities and demands from multiple contacts.

Mental / Sensory :

Frequent requirement to concentrate when reading/analyzing complex materials to provide interpretation.

Frequent requirement to concentrate when dealing with competing priorities and observing and giving instructions.

Conditions / Environment :

Work is carried out under typical office conditions.