Immigration Program Manager

Competition # : 42747
Department: Labour, Skills and Immigration
Location: HALIFAX
Type of Employment: Permanent
Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG
Closing Date: 16-May-24 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration works to provide fairness, safety and prosperity for all Nova Scotians by helping them live, learn and work to their highest potential. We have a staff of more than 500 employees working from offices throughout Nova Scotia. Together we are responsible for workplace safety, fire safety, pensions, apprenticeship, adult education, and many other facets of everyday life. 

The Immigration and Population Growth Branch (IPG) of Labour Skills and Immigration (LSI) has a large mandate. We are responsible for attracting, integrating, and retaining newcomers to our province. We make daily decisions that change the lives of people choosing to make Nova Scotia home. As a small but passionate team, we are continually evolving to ensure we meet the needs of the province. We help businesses succeed by finding the people they need, while helping our population grow.

About Our Opportunity

As the Immigration Program Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Nova Scotia by managing our Immigration Programs: the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) or the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). In this dynamic and influential position, you will lead a team of dedicated Immigration Professionals to deliver on the program's objectives. As a knowledgeable and collaborative programs management team partner, you interpret legislation, identify and mitigate risks, and develop policies and procedures that ensure our programs meet their objectives and remain responsive within a dynamic and constantly evolving immigration landscape.

You will also liaise regularly with our federal, provincial, and territorial colleagues. You will collaborate with our Retention and Attraction team to ensure employers and candidates know about our programs and that they are responsive to employers' needs. You will also work closely with our Investigations and Compliance division to maintain the ongoing integrity of Nova Scotia's immigration programs.

This opportunity may be for you if you want to work in a dynamic, high-pressure, flexible organization that offers unique challenges and opportunities for growth.

Primary Accountabilities

Key responsibilities include:

• Manage and provide strategic direction to a team of Immigration Officers, ensuring alignment with departmental goals and government strategies.
• Oversee the implementation of policies and legislation, effectively communicating changes to stakeholders and mitigating potential risks.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with federal, provincial, and territorial colleagues, enhancing collaboration and ensuring that our programs meet the evolving needs of our province.
• Manage the development and operation of internal and external communications, implement quality frameworks, and lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance service delivery and program effectiveness.
• Develop budget plans and ensure the effective management of human and financial resources with guidance from senior leadership, fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that promotes professional growth and team cohesion. Delivers prescribed outcomes for a designated area of financial control by working within established systems.
• Mentor, coach, and monitor team members to ensure priorities and objectives are met and ensures alignment with the interests and objectives of the department overall.
• Provide leadership by demonstrating strong knowledge of policies, programs, and legislation and establishing collaborative relationships with various stakeholders to deliver innovative and responsive solutions in a dynamic environment.
• Identify and address shortcomings in compliance processes, systems, and procedures and suggest and implement approved improvements. Provides leadership and feedback on complex issues at the senior level, collaborating with partners to find resolutions.
• May perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this position, you must hold a post-secondary degree in a related discipline and have several years of recent experience leading and engaging staff, implementing programs, and planning operations within immigration policy and legislative frameworks. You have strong knowledge, experience and command of federal and provincial immigration policies and legislation. An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.

Your strengths include strong communication skills (both written and presentation) and the ability to provide sound guidance in challenging situations. As an experienced leader, you have a proven ability to coach and develop staff so that they meet their fullest potential while also ensuring service standards are upheld.

You possess strong decision-making skills and are effective at prioritizing and delegating tasks. You welcome challenges for the betterment of the team and department needs. Strong relationship-building skills are a must as you liaise regularly with business, industry and community representatives. As a driver of change, you bring a strategic and innovative approach to the role. Your colleagues describe you as highly professional and diplomatic.

The Government of Nova Scotia has adopted the LEADS Leadership Framework. During the interview, candidates will be expected to express how they have demonstrated the key behaviours and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. LEADS Domains includes Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions and Systems Transformation.

Please follow for more information.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Benefits

The Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a , Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: .

Working Conditions

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day
• May be required to work overtime on occasion

Additional Information

You will have 2 pre-application questions to complete upon applying:

• Can you describe an experience where you had to interpret complex immigration legislation and policies to guide program implementation? How did you ensure compliance while meeting program objectives in a constantly changing legal environment?
• Have you previously or are you currently practicing in the field of Canadian immigration?
• If yes, please provide details about your licensing, including the licensing body and license number. Additionally, describe the scope and nature of your practice in this field.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

What We Offer

• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• Department specific flexible working schedules

Pay Grade: EC 12
Salary Range: $3,687.15 - $4,608.93 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement:

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

Current government employees may access this posting through the link below:

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to