Paralegal - Refugee & Immigration - Toronto, Canada - Legal Aid Ontario

Legal Aid Ontario

Verified Company

Toronto, Canada

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Description

Company Bio

Legal Aid Ontario employees are committed to making a difference in the lives of our clients.
As an integral partner in the Justice system, working at Legal Aid Ontario is more than just a job.

It's an opportunity to help people who need it the most; to ensure each client receives the access to justice afforded to them under the law.

If you are looking for a new challenge in your already meaningful career with a team dedicated to justice, and innovation in a flexible and supportive work environment consider this opportunity below.

Primary function

Home Position:
Toronto

Secondary/Teriarty Locations:
Not Applicable

Reporting to:
Refugee Law Office (Toronto) - Manager/Lawyer
Key accountabilities

Under lawyer supervision where necessary:
Representing clients before the Immigration Division
Interviewing clients in person, via video and at detention centres
Finding alternatives to detention
Drafting legal submissions, correspondence and affidavits
Explaining refugee determination processes and immigration

- processes and procedures to clients and community groups

Contacting and liaising with other service providers (physicians, interpreters, professionals, mental health workers, etc) to arrange appointments and supportive documentation for clients.
Preparing IRCC forms and BOC narratives for refugee claimants as required
Providing representation before other IRB divisions as required
Assisting lawyers and other RLO staff on client files as required
Ensuring all case information is recorded in the case management/ docketing system
Participating in professional developmental opportunities for the purposes of enhancing knowledge and skills
Additional, specific duties as outlined by manager

Required skills & experience

Must possess a paralegal license (Member in good standing, Law Society of Ontario)
Must have experience representing individuals before the Immigration Division at Detention Review hearings
Must have experience finding and proposing alternatives to detention
Practice experience in refugee and Immigration law
Current knowledge of immigration and refugee processes
Welldeveloped interview skills in a social service environment
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for dealing with vulnerable clients, lawyers and external stakeholders with the proven ability to exercise sound judgment when encountering stressful situations
Ability to work cooperatively with other staff in a high pressure environment
Intermediate skill level in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook and Excel) and the ability to enter and retrieve information in a client service and case management system (PeopleSoft, Legal Files)
Ability to work with mínimal supervision, to multitask and to work well under pressure
Must possess a valid driver's license, have access to a car, and be willing to travel, as required, to immigration detention centres in the GTA region;
Police clearance for access to the CBSA detention facility will be a necessary requirement
Ability to communicate in a second language is an asset

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Equity Statement

Legal Aid Ontario values integrity, respect, responsiveness, excellence, independence, accountability, openness and consistency. Our recruitment process reflects our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Accommodations are available upon request.

Legal Aid Ontario encourages applicants from equity seeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis descent, persons with disabilities, women, members of racialized communities and the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

We recognize the value of diversity, equity and inclusion and are committed to addressing systemic barriers, and attracting and retaining diverse staff.

All interested and eligible people will be considered, with due consideration to all protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code.