Ellen Yachnin

* ******* ********, ******* *******, M3H 4V1

416-***-**** (Cell)

May 15, 2020

Ref: International Student Advisor

It is a pleasure to be applying for the position of International Student Advisor at the University of Toronto, Mississauga campus. This letter outlines how my experience as Foreign Service Immigration Officer, as well as a Manager of the Policy Unit for the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities clearly demonstrates my capacity to succeed in this position.

I am an expert in all types of immigration processing, and I have extensive experience working with international students and workers. I have worked as a front-line Foreign Service Officer and have wide-ranging experience in interpreting and applying immigration and other related government policies and programs. While serving abroad I was responsible for various immigration programs including managing the student and temporary worker unit in London, being a Business Immigration Specialist in Hong Kong and working as an Immigration Control Officer in Rome. I have over 8 years’ experience of dealing directly with students and feel I can relate to their experiences and make them feel comfortable and confident in the settlement process.

I have worked as the Manager of the Policy Unit for the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU). As the Manager of a team of 12 staff reporting directly to me, I was responsible for the research and development of policies that help guide and shape the postsecondary education system in Ontario. I am aware of the importance of having international students attend Ontario post-secondary institutions and for them to succeed in their studies. I am also aware of the importance of international students as an important source of future immigrants to Canada, which is a mutually beneficial connection. I can provide up to date and accurate advice to international students regarding Canadian immigration requirements and can strategically guide international students through the immigration process.

Through my work experience in the Ontario government, I developed a thorough knowledge of customer service and information communication standards of practice in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). I have developed content for marketing and promotional materials and have edited content for print and online communications channels. I also have experience coordinating, developing, designing and editing marketing projects.

As University of Toronto graduate, I have firsthand experience on how valuable a University of Toronto degree can be in providing a student with the foundational skills they will require throughout their professional life and in entering the workforce. My International Relations degree was pivotal in obtaining my position at the Department of External Affairs as a Foreign Service Immigration Officer.

I am a skilled professional with a successful track record in managing both people and immigration programs at the provincial and federal levels. I pay close attention to the needs of people reporting to me and those of my co-workers. My strengths include a resourceful and novel approach to problem solving; strong managerial and interpersonal skills and the ability to deal with multiple priorities in a demanding work environment. My personal style is approachable and supportive, and I have experience coaching staff to meet their own professional objectives. Having worked and managed through typical times and crises, I am a resourceful and creative when dealing with unique problems and creating new paths forward.

It is my personal goal to share my experience and knowledge of immigration with post-secondary students in Ontario As such, I registered and just completed the Humber Immigration Consultant program and I was planning to write the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) licensing exam this May however the exam has been postponed to the end of June. I also want to become a Regulated International Student Advisor (RISIA), by eventually enrolling in the International Students and Immigration Program offered the Canadian Bureau for International Education.

Thank you for your time in reviewing my application and I look forward to meeting with you to discuss my background in more depth. With my education and work experience, I am confident in my ability to deliver excellent guidance as an International Student Advisor.

Ellen Yachnin

adc79h@r.postjobfree.com

Ellen Yachnin

6 Cavotti Crescent, Toronto Ontario, M3H 4V1

416-***-**** (Cell)

Profile

A skilled professional with a successful track record in managing both people and immigration and grant programs on the provincial and federal levels. Strengths include a resourceful and novel approach to problem solving; strong managerial and interpersonal skills and the ability to deal with multiple priorities in a demanding work environment. Goal to share experience and knowledge of immigration with post-secondary students in Ontario.

Education

Immigration Consultant Certificate

Humber College

Bachelor of Arts, Hons., International Relations/History/Economics

University of Toronto

Masters of Arts, Public History

University of Waterloo

International Professional Experience

Manager for Immigration Control Activities

Immigration Control Officer

Rome, Italy

•Interim Program Manager responsible for the Rome Office and as Operations Manager in Tirana during the Kosovo crisis and recognized for exemplary response and outstanding achievements during this time

•Control Officer responsible for enforcement issues for southern Europe; liaised with foreign governments to ensure compliance with international agreements on the movement of improperly documented passengers

Manager/First Secretary Immigration

Canadian Consulate

Hong Kong

•Evaluated and approved\refused investor and entrepreneurial applications from prospective immigrants by the thorough review of business plans and verification of financial documents

Third Secretary

Canadian High Commission

London

•Manager of the Student and Temporary Worker Unit responsible for processing for the U.K.

•Evaluated and approved\refused for immigration categories

Canadian Professional Experience

Senior Consultant

Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility

•Responsible for the expansion and delivery of the Age Friendly Community (AFC) which is a World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed planning and evaluation framework across Ontario

Manager, Policy Unit

Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities

•Responsible for the research and development of Post-Secondary policies including a multi-year PSE plan in Ontario which recommended the implementation of Mandate Agreements, E-Campus Ontario and consultations

•Managed a staff of 12 advisors responsible for a wide range of policy files

Manager, Next Generations of Jobs Fund (NGOJF)

•Implemented and delivered NGOJF, a 1.15B grant program to support innovation, commercialization, investment and the creation of high value jobs

•Delivered the NGOJF program by working horizontally across the Ministries of Economic Development (MEDT), Research and Innovation (MRI) and the Ministry of Finance

•Built a high-performance team and established the NGOJF Secretariat in MEDT to deliver the Jobs and Investment portion of NGOJF

Senior Analyst

Ministry of Economic Development and Trade

•Supported the delivery of the Advanced Manufacturing and Investment Program (AMIS), a $500 million competitive loan program

Senior Analyst

Health and Social & Education Branch, Program Management and estimates Division,

Management Board Secretariat, Toronto, Ontario

•Responsible for providing high-quality advice to Management Board of Cabinet on strategic health initiatives after considering financial, policy and all other relevant issues

Senior Policy and Program Advisor

Strategic Skills Development, Sector Competitiveness Branch, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Toronto, Ontario

•Responsible for contributing to the provincial government’s economic development agenda by developing the appropriate responses for the Ministry to the skills shortages issue

•Co-ordinate strategic policy planning by researching, analyzing, monitoring key areas and by liaising with key stakeholders with a focus on the auto sector

•Supported the Strategic Skills Initiative (SSI) a $130 million program to support one-time start-up costs integral to implementing training projects to help alleviate skills bottlenecks and equip industries to grow and create more jobs

Acting Director/Team Leader

Service Line Support Division, Selection Branch, Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Ottawa, Ontario

•Responsible for the analysis and development of the Multi-Year Levels Immigration Plan to create a long-term, government-wide strategic approach to immigration

•Developed and coordinated analytical and policy input for key sections of the new immigration legislation and associated Memorandum to Cabinet

•Provided strategic policy advice and briefings on complex immigration issues, emerging trends and initiatives to senior management and the Minister

Financial Analyst

Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Ottawa, Ontario

•Ensured the approval of major treasury board submissions, securing funding for the Department and determining the cost savings for departmental cost cutting programs

•Performed scenario analyses on future resource allocations for Canadian immigration offices worldwide

Professional References Available on Request

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