Manager, International Student Advising

The Manager, International Student Advising is responsible for advancing the University’s goals regarding the retention, learning and wellbeing of international students at UBC Vancouver by managing the department’s international student advising related to immigration, health insurance, employment, wellbeing and cultural transitions. In consultation with the Director of the unit, the incumbent leads the overall strategy for international student advising and is responsible for the development and management of all aspects of international student advising within the unit. The Manager liaises with colleagues at UBC Okanagan, other units within the University, student government, and colleagues across Canada to ensure a seamless network of support for international student and liaises with provincial, national and federal bodies to promote an environment conducive to international students thriving.

This position serves and provides leadership on wide-ranging strategic planning committees, represents the department at several levels, and develops and recommends programs and services as appropriate. Teamwork and collaboration are essential. This position is responsible to foster a welcoming, vibrant, and supportive environment so that international students may be fully engaged members of the University community.

Organizational Status

International Student Development (ISD) provides a wide range programming and services supporting the full participation/integration of international and refugee students in all aspects of university life throughout their time at UBC Vancouver. The Manager, International Student Advising leads the ISD advisory team within the Student Affairs portfolio, VP Students. Reporting to the Director, the incumbent supervises and mentors International Student Advisor staff and works collaboratively with the UBC community and key stakeholders.

Work Performed

• Responsible for the strategic direction, student outcomes, advising processes and overall management of the advising portfolio within ISD.

Leadership and Management

• Leads cross-functional Project Teams to ensure a collaborative and unified program planning approach.
• Provides leadership and individual performance management to a team of professional staff, student staff, and volunteers. This includes regular supervision, performance evaluation, individual goal setting, and ongoing team and individual development opportunities.
• Acts as a leader in international education at the post-secondary level, and is a strong collaborator across sectors to facilitate student and program success at UBC’s Okanagan campus.
• Works collaboratively with partners across campus to determine and implement campus internationalization goals, and fosters an international dimension within the University and the community at large.
• Liaises with and provides leadership to other staff and collaborating with on-campus faculties to provide seamless and knowledgeable services for international students.
• Leads the development, implementation and evaluation of the department’s international student advising workgroup practices and procedures. Ensures high level of student access to advising.
• Recruits, hires, evaluates performance and terminates employees, as required.
• Manages the operational budget in relation to the advising unit, the Manager is expected to be an excellent steward of University funds and to create efficiencies whenever possible.
• Liaises with a variety of government stakeholders including, IRCC (Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada), MSP (Medical Services Plan), CBIE (Canadian Bureau of International Education) and other relevant regional and national groups to maintain a high standard of professional practice.

Student Advising, Programming & Support

• Develops and leads exceptional programming to orient, transition, and celebrate new-to-UBC students.
• Develops and leads innovative, comprehensive, and integrated programming that evolves with campus and student trends over time. Considers gaps in services and programs and aims to close those gaps through program and service improvement.
• Advises international students on an individual and group basis, identifies issues that impact their academic and personal lives. Guides students in determining a resolution or course of action and mediate on their behalf when necessary. Provides accurate, timely, and sensitive assistance related to study and work permits, visas, health insurance, employment, student life, cultural adjustment, and related issues.
• Guides students in determining a resolution or course of action and mediate on their behalf when necessary.
• Develops responsive, innovative and participatory programming related to Global Citizenship competencies and the development of intercultural programming
• Develops, implements and evaluates strategies to reduce the number of preventable immigration and health insurance problems for UBC international students.
• Plans and implements University-wide immigration-related practices that are consistent and in line with immigration legislation, regulations and policies.
• Builds and sustains assessment and evidence-based understanding to inform and evaluate the advising service. Develops and implements a strategy to share results and raise awareness of the impact of immigration and health insurance on international student success and well-being.

IRCC Advising:

• Provides legal interpretation and consultation to UBC departments and staff regarding international students immigration status, both case-specific and to inform policy and guidelines, in person and in writing.
• Plans and implements University-wide immigration-related communications and practices that are accurate, consistent and in line with immigration legislation, regulations and policies.
• Leads the management of complex cases involving student’s immigration, well-being and other matters. Liaises with and provides leadership to staff and faculty on campus to provide seamless support and services for international students. As needed, provides representation for students on study permit and related applications.
• Writes professional communications to visa offices, immigration program managers and Canada Border Services Agency regarding student applications and intervenes in cases where needed.
• Interprets and complies with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations (IRPA/R); Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Operational Manuals and Operational Bulletins; the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) policies and Codes of Ethics; privacy legislation; etc.
• Fulfills obligations to the ICCRC and remains in good standing as a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor (RISIA).
• Leads the development, maintenance and continuous improvement of the department’s immigration expertise. Improves the accuracy and efficiency of ISA through working to clarify ambiguities of immigration operations/policy, advocating for change to problematic areas of immigration operations/policy, and deepening collaborations with peer institutions.
• Ensures UBC s compliance with federal immigration reporting requirements in collaboration with campus partners. Oversees outreach to academic departments and programs to ensure practices align with enrolment status definitions for reporting purposes.

Assessment and Improvement:

• Responsible for assessment and evaluation efforts to ensure quality programming and constant improvement that further enhances program delivery.
• Proactively manage the use of advising databases to capture student contact data.
• Be proactive in researching and implementing retention efforts for international students.
• Oversee the development of communications materials by collaborating with the UBC Communications and Marketing strategists, to develop websites, and digital channels specific to the ISD, and in collaboration with larger portfolio priorities.
• Performing other duties consistent with the mandate of VP Students portfolio as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This is a leadership position within International Student Development assisting the University in achieving its commitment to international student retention and global citizenship. Failure to meet the expectations of the job may create severe hardship for prospective and current students and can negatively impact the fiscal position of the institution. Errors and omissions and negligence can result in the permanent loss of RCIC/RISIA license, imprisonment, fines, civil action (directed at both the RCIC/RISIA and UBC), and other disciplinary actions by the regulatory body. Such errors can cause irreparable damage for students and their families in terms of their ability to enter or remain in Canada and/or UBC. Providing incomplete or inaccurate information to students can have a devastating impact on UBC s ability to recruit and retain students and severely damage UBC s international reputation.

Supervision Received
Works independently, under general guidance from the Director, International Student Development.

Supervision Given
Hires, supervises and manages the performance of the International Student Advisors (RCIC/RISIA). Provides direction to the Student Information and Program Support (SIPS) Coordinator regarding international student advising. Leads cross-functional teams and project teams. May supervise and mentor student staff and volunteers.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of five to six years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Must be a member in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants CICC as a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant RCIC or as a Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor RISIA.

• Master's degree preferred.

• Experience managing diverse staff teams.

• Demonstrates the ability to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

• Thorough knowledge of Canadian immigration legislation, policies and regulations related to international students and their dependents.

• Experience working directly with international students at the post-secondary level.

• Overseas work/study experience preferred.

• Experience in program and project development, delivery, and evaluation.

• Ability in a language other than English preferred.

• Ability to exercise mature judgment, initiative, diplomacy and tact.

• Excellent negotiation and coaching skills.

• Expertise in designing, delivering and evaluating educational workshops.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Excellent computer skills and online research skills.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, cross-cultural sensitivity and intercultural communication skills.

• Ability to manage the complexity inherent within a multifaceted work environment focused on broad outcomes for students.