NOTICE OF VACANCY

CANADIAN HUMAN RIGHTS TRIBUNAL

Vice-Chairperson (Full-time) and Member (Full-time)

Location:  National Capital Region
Salary Range: $163,000 – $191,800  (Vice-Chair) and $133,200 - $156,800 (Member)

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (the Tribunal) is a quasi-judicial body that hears complaints of discrimination referred by the Canadian Human Rights Commission and determines whether the activities complained of violate the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA). The purpose of the CHRA is to protect individuals from discrimination and to promote equal opportunity.  The Tribunal also decides cases brought under the Employment Equity Act. 

The Tribunal carries out its mandate through public hearings of complaints of discrimination in employment and in the provision of services based on the grounds enumerated in the CHRA which are: race, colour, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, sex, marital status, family status, disability, conviction for which a pardon has been granted and, since 1992, sexual orientation. The Tribunal’s jurisdiction covers matters that come within the legislative authority of the Parliament of Canada, including federal government departments, agencies and Crown corporations, as well as banks, airlines and other federally regulated employers and providers of goods, services, facilities and accommodation.

Vice-Chairperson (full-time)

The Vice-Chairperson plays a pre-eminent role within this administrative tribunal by ensuring a fair, timely and impartial adjudication process for human rights complaints, for the benefit of all Canadians.  The Vice-Chairperson is also responsible for providing a fundamental contribution to the development of the Tribunal’s policies and procedures for human rights adjudications, under the direction of the Chairperson.     

The qualified candidate must have a law degree from a recognized university and be a member in good standing of the Bar of a province or the Chambre des notaires du Québec for at least ten (10) years.  In addition, the qualified candidate must have experience, expertise and interest in, and sensitivity to, human rights issues.

The preferred candidate should have experience managing human and financial resources, in a private or public sector organization.  Additionally, he/she will have proven decision-making experience with respect to sensitive issues and demonstrated experience in the interpretation and application of legislation in a quasi-judicial context.  Experience in the operation and conduct of a quasi-judicial tribunal, an agency or equivalent would be considered an asset.
 
The ideal candidate must have general knowledge of human rights law as well as knowledge of public law, including administrative and constitutional law, in addition to knowledge of the Canadian Human Rights Act, the Employment Equity Act and other related legislation.  The successful candidate should possess understanding of the operations of an administrative tribunal, including the rules that govern its operations.  Further, knowledge of the issues and challenges arising from the diversity of Canadian society, particularly the need for appropriate institutional responses, is required.

The preferred candidate must possess strong managerial abilities, with the requisite ability to provide intellectual and strategic leadership.  The ability to interpret relevant statutes, regulations and policies and analyze and evaluate complex and voluminous evidence in order to make sound and equitable decisions and recommendations is also required.  He/she must possess the ability to represent the Tribunal at national and international conferences in order to further the understanding of the role and functions of the Tribunal as well as using their superior communication skills, both orally and in writing, in dealing with stakeholders, media, public institutions, governments, the public and other organizations.

The chosen candidate must possess high ethical standards and integrity, superior interpersonal skills, impartiality, judgement and tact. 

Member (full-time)

The Member is principally responsible for the adjudication of complaints filed under the Canadian Human Rights Act. In addition, the member contributes to the development of the Tribunal’s policies and procedures for human rights adjudications, under the direction of the Chairperson and the development of training programs for members, to ensure that the best possible adjudication services are provided to Canadians.

The qualified candidate must have a law degree from a recognized university and be a member in good standing of the Bar of a province or the Chambre des notaires du Québec for at least ten (10) years.  In addition, the qualified candidate must have experience, expertise and interest in, and sensitivity to, human rights issues.

The preferred candidate will have demonstrated experience in the interpretation and application of legislation in a quasi-judicial context as well as demonstrated decision-making experience with respect to sensitive issues.  Experience as a member or legal counsel of a quasi-judicial tribunal, or experience appearing before a quasi-judicial tribunal would be an asset.

The ideal candidate must have general knowledge of human rights law, as well as knowledge of public law, including administrative and constitutional law, in addition to the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Employment Equity Act and other related legislation.  He/she should also possess knowledge of the principles of natural justice and rules of practice followed by administrative tribunals in Canada and a solid understanding of the procedures and practices involved in conducting a quasi-judicial hearing. 

The successful candidate will have the ability to interpret relevant statutes, regulations, and policies and analyse and evaluate complex and voluminous evidence in order to make sound and equitable decisions and recommendations.  He/she should also have the ability to work independently and as a team member, be able to conduct proactive, fair and efficient quasi-judicial hearings and have the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

The chosen candidate must possess high ethical standards and integrity, superior interpersonal skills, impartiality, judgement and tact. 

For both positions:

Proficiency in both official languages is preferred. Proficiency in other languages is an asset.

The full-time members of the Tribunal shall reside in the National Capital Region, as described in the schedule to the National Capital Act, or within 40 kilometres of that Region. He/she must also be willing to travel for extended periods of time, to attend hearings and conferences in all parts of Canada. 

The government is committed to ensuring that its appointments are representative of Canada’s regions and official languages, as well as of women, Aboriginal peoples, disables persons and visible minorities.

The preferred candidates must comply with the Ethical Guidelines for Public Office Holders and Guidelines for the Political Activities of Public Office Holders.  The guidelines are available on the Governor in Council Appointments Website, under Reference Material at www.appointments-nominations.gc.ca.

The selected candidates will be subject to the Conflict of Interest Act. Public office holders appointed on a full-time basis must submit to the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, within 60 days of appointment, a Confidential Report in which they disclose all of their assets, liabilities and outside activities.  For more information please visit the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner’s website at http://www.ciec-ccie.gc.ca.

This notice has been placed in the Canada Gazette to assist the Governor in Council in identifying qualified candidates for this position. It is not, however, intended to be the sole means of recruitment.

Further details about the organization and its activities can be found on its website at www.chrt-tcdp.gc.ca.

Interested candidates should forward their curriculum vitae by November 23, 2009, to the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Senior Personnel), Privy Council Office, 59 Sparks Street, 1st Floor, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A3, (613) 957-5006 (facsimile), GICA-NGEC@bnet.pco-bcp.gc.ca (email).

Bilingual notices of vacancies will be produced in alternate format (audio cassette, diskette, braille, large print, etc.) upon request. For further information, please contact Canadian Government Publishing, Public Works and Government Services Canada, Ottawa, Canada K1A 0S9, (613) 941-5995 or 1-800-635-7943.

Selection Criteria – Vice Chairperson

Selection Criteria - Member