Selection Process for Veterans Review and Appeal Board Members

As the Chief Executive Officer, the Chair of the VRAB is accountable for the implementation of the selection process to qualify VRAB's decision-makers. The selection process is designed to be transparent, professional and based on competency to ensure that only highly qualified candidates will be considered for appointment. The qualifications of candidates will be assessed against criteria that reflect the degree of knowledge, skills and abilities required to effectively carry out the role of a Member of the VRAB.

The selection process will encompass: a public advertisement, an initial screening, a written test, an interview and reference checks.

The Screening Committee will include a retired professional with background relevant to the work of the Board, the Chair or Deputy Chair of the VRAB, and a human resources expert. This committee will assess the application form and curriculum vitae of each candidate to determine who should proceed to a written assessment of specific skills and abilities. The written assessment results of each candidate will be reviewed by the same committee to determine whether the candidate should be considered further in the selection process.

The Interview Committee will include a retired senior executive and a retired professional with backgrounds relevant to the work of the Board, as well as the Chair of the VRAB and a human resources expert. The Interview Committee will interview candidates identified by the Screening Committee to further assess the skills and abilities of each candidate.

Members of both the Screening Committee and Interview Committee will be selected in consultation with the Minister of Veterans Affairs. The Minister will be consulted on any changes to the committees and it is anticipated that the membership will change over time to include representation from various locations in Canada. All members are required to affirm their impartiality in all aspects of the Member selection process.

Once the assessments are complete, the Chair of the VRAB will provide a pool of candidates found qualified by the Interview Committee to the Minister of Veterans Affairs.

The Minister of Veterans Affairs will draw candidates from the pool that meet the Chair's recommendations concerning VRAB operational requirements, gender, diversity, geographic needs and linguistic requirements. The Minister will then recommend candidates for appointment to the VRAB to the Governor-in-Council.

As a result of feedback, Selection Criteria for experience was updated to more clearly emphasize backgrounds that would be relevant to the work of the Board.