Job Specification

Purpose :

To administer the government-wide process and provide consultation services to managers for the identification, preparation, analysis and approval of government data for release across the Ontario Public Service (OPS) or to the public in accordance to Ontario's Open Government objectives and strategy to promote faster and easier access to government data and information, and enable evidence-based policy development across government.
To conduct and/or participate in the research, development and evaluation of the Open Data framework, Open Data Directive, and related systems, processes, standards and tools, and the establishment of the Ontario Data Catalogue for access by the public and the Internal Open Data Catalogue for data sharing across the OPS.
To conduct and participate in consultations with ministry, inter-ministry, inter-jurisdictional and public/private sector partners and stakeholders, and to provide briefings to the Manager on Open Data research findings, consultations with OPS management and recommendations for issues solutions.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Administration of the Government-Wide Open Data Analysis and Approval Process for Data Release:
Coordinates the identification, assessment, preparation and approval for proactive release of data created, collected and/or managed by ministries.
Provides ministries with guidance and support on the application of the Open Government Directive, Open Government License and Open Data practices and processes to ensure maximum access to government data through an "open by default approach" to data release.
Participates in the establishment, administration and maintenance of a comprehensive government-wide data inventory; Ontario Data Catalogue, a one-window central platform for all Open Data published by ministries and accessible to the public, and the Internal Open Data Catalogue, a platform and toolset to share and manage data across the OPS.
Reviews, analyzes and assesses datasets submitted by ministries prior to release, and ensures compliance with the Open Data Directive requirements and standards.
Supports the Senior Data Advisor in the final review of datasets with Cabinet Office Communications Unit and in the liaison with Cabinet Office Digital for the publication of datasets on the Ontario Data Catalogue or the Internal Open Data Catalogue .
Develops guidelines for the ongoing release of datasets including methods to address the establishment of priorities for data release (ensuring the release of highest value data first) and a plan for measuring public and internal OPS demand for data.

2. Open Data Research and Analysis:
Conducts data research/analysis, environmental/cross-jurisdictional scans and needs assessments to identify, analyze, review, assess and report on relevant trends/issues that impact the government's Open Government objective and agenda, and to identify and assess alternative Open Data framework models.
Develops research study design, methodology and terms of reference. Determines data source requirements and stakeholders to meet research needs and objectives.

Prepares data model research/analysis summaries, reports and supporting materials (briefing documents, trends analyses, statistical reports, background papers) on research project initiatives and inter-ministerial and inter-jurisdictional research and consultation activities for the Manager and Senior Data Advisors.

3. Open Data Systems, Process and Standards Development:
Develops, reviews and updates Open Data directives, best practices, methodologies, procedures, standards and tools to define principles and requirements for publishing Government Data as Open Data; to establish technical requirements and guidance for the release of data as open to the public; to provide direction to ministries/agencies on how data should be shared within the enterprise and released to the public under the existing open data license, and to support the realization of the full potential of the data holdings within government.
Conducts and/or participates in projects for the development and implementation of the central platform for the Ontario Data Catalogue for the publication of government data for access by the public, and a one-stop internal data portal for the Internal Open Data Catalogue to enable the sharing of data-sets on an enterprise-wide basis to increase access to OPS data by all ministries to support government-wide informed and evidence-based policy and program development.
Conducts and/or participates in the development and implementation of evaluation methodology, processes and performance metrics, benchmarks and indicators which are consistent with the government's performance measurement framework to ensure that Open Data systems and processes are developed with clear and measurable outcomes, and to enable the assessment of Open Government Data strategy results.

4. Stakeholder Relationships, Consultations and Advice
Conducts and/or participates in critical consultations with management/staff across the ministry, other levels of government, other ministries, other levels of government, and a broad range of public/private sector partners and stakeholders (e.g. research entities, Ontario data community, private sector businesses, non-profit organizations, other jurisdictions) to identify best practices and to engage in demonstration projects to illustrate the value of open data.
Provides briefings and data expertise and advice to the Manager and Director related to Open Data research and analysis initiatives.
Provides consultation services to management across the OPS to promote and support the development of a coordinated approach to the implementation of Open Data directives and guidelines, to provide advice and guidance on open data requirements according to established Open Data guidelines and principles; and to provide advice and support on the process for data collection, analysis, preparation, approval and publication/release.
Participates in meetings with provincial and inter-jurisdictional partners and stakeholders to conduct research and exchange information on Open Data directives and operational activities.
Conducts or participates in consultations with ministry information technology specialists to provide information/expertise and monitor that Open Data requirements (i.e. extraction of data in an open format) are built into the Corporate Enterprise Architecture Review Requirements and policy on the I&IT Project Gateway Process.
Prepares and or contributes to the preparation of House notes, research/analysis papers, discussion papers, data release briefing materials, cabinet committee submissions, and politically-sensitive executive correspondence on a broad range of Open Data topics.
Participates on ministry, inter-ministry and inter-jurisdictional project teams or standing committees pertaining to Open Data.

5. Issues Management and Communications
Analyzes, interprets and assesses Open Data trends, risks, impacts and issues, and develops issue management solution options to address trends/issues.
Prepares and/or contributes to the preparation of responses to requests for information from internal/external stakeholders and offices of the Minister, Deputy Minister or senior officials on a broad range of Open Data matters and issues.

6. Project Management:
Independently plans and conducts assigned Open Data research and development projects including developing detailed project plans, establishing critical paths, determining project methodology, coordinating all project phases, producing project progress updates, resolving project issues and preparing project reports.
Participates as a team member on office, division, ministry and inter-ministry committees and project initiatives as assigned by the Manager.

Knowledge / Skill :

Knowledge of and skills in:
Data analysis, statistical analysis, data science, information/data/records management, and metadata cataloguing principles, practices and methods, and government/ministry decision-making/approval processes to administer the government-wide Open Data approval and release process; conduct and participate in the development and review of corporate Open Data directives, best practices, methodologies, procedures, standards and tools, and provide Open Data advice to branch/division management.
Data research principles, methods and techniques to conduct inter-jurisdictional research projects/studies, surveys, trends analyses, and environmental scans, and assess impacts of Open Data legislation/policies/approaches in other jurisdictions.
Policy/systems/process evaluation principles, methods and techniques to develop performance benchmarks and criteria to assess and report on the effectiveness of Open Data systems/processes, and to develop recommendations for change.
Government and ministry strategic directions and key objectives, plans and priorities pertaining to the Open Government strategy to develop new/revised Open Data directives/standards, and provide information consultation/advisory services to ministry management/staff, other ministries/jurisdictions and external stakeholders.
Legal and policy processes to work with the Legal Services Branch to identify options for the release of data that cannot be released as open data under the Open Data Directive.
Risk management principles to identify and assess Open Data risks and issues, to conduct the review and risk assessment of datasets prior to release, and to develop/recommend issues management strategies and solutions.
Project management principles and methods to design, plan and delivery assigned Open Data development and review projects.
Oral communication skills to respond to inquiries, provide research project updates and advice; and participate in consultations with management across the OPS.
Written communication skills to prepare briefings, research reports, recommendations, background materials and correspondence.
Standard software programs and tools to research and prepare own materials.

Interpersonal / Influencing Skill :

Advisory and consultation skills to provide Open Data advice. briefings and recommendations to the Senior Data Advisor and the Manager.
Communication and advisory skills to explain the interpretation and application of Open Data directives and requirements to management/staff across the OPS and to provide support/guidance to the review, assessment and approval of datasets prior to government-wide publication and/or release to the public.
Relationship management and facilitation skills to participate with Senior Data Advisors in building relationships with a broad range of OPS and external stakeholders and partners, and with key ministry decision-makers to promote and ensure effective implementation of Open Data Directive.
Presentation and persuasion skills to communicate and promote the principles and objectives of the Open Government strategy and framework, and to participate on working groups, committees and project teams.

Analyzing / Problem Solving Skill :

Analytical and problem-solving skills to:
Gather, research, synthesize and analyze qualitative and quantitative data and information to inform the development of Open Data Directive options and recommendations, and the Open Data Guidebook and related systems, processes and standards.
Contribute to the development of Open Data recommendations that encompass a range of considerations (e.g. political impact, internal capacity, risk management factors, stakeholder priorities, emerging trends/developments) needed for an effective evidence-based approach to the management, sharing and release of government data and information.
Analyze and assess the effectiveness and impact of Open Data results on the government, the private and broader public sectors, and the public.
Conduct the review, analysis and risk assessment of datasets submitted by ministries prior to release.
Identify, analyze and assess Open Data risks and issues, and contribute to the development of innovative approaches to address identified issues.
Identify and resolve project management issues for assigned research and development projects.

Decision Making / Responsibility :

Responsible for:
Administering the government-wide process for the collection, preparation, analysis and approval of datasets by ministries for release across the government or to the public.
Conducting research and qualitative and quantitative analysis and identifying/assessing emerging issues, trends, risks, impacts and developments in Ontario and national/international jurisdictions in support of Open Data directives, standards and requirements. Conducting and/or participating in the development and review of corporate Open Data directives, best practices, methodologies, procedures, standards and tools, and the Ontario Data Catalogue and the Internal Open Data Catalogue.
Conducting, facilitating and supporting consultations, and the development of relationships and alliances with ministry, inter-ministry, inter-jurisdictional, and broader public/private sector stakeholders.
Developing and/or contributing to research reports, assessments, briefings, options, and submissions to support ministry senior management decision making and policy submissions.
Conducting assigned Open Data research, development and evaluation projects.
Has latitude to conduct research and analysis to support corporate Open Data initiatives; determine research scope and methodologies for inter-jurisdictional scans and the development of the Open Data Directive and related standards, process and tools options and recommendation. Has latitude to determine compliance of ministry dataset submissions with Open Data directives and requirements. Has latitude to respond to information/briefing requests from OPS senior management and offices of the ADM/DM/Minister.
Work is guided by government and ministry strategic directions on Open Government; external influences from ministry, inter-ministry, inter-jurisdictional and private/public sectors, and the broad framework of provincial/ministry policy/procedures/guidelines prescribed by the ministry.

Contacts / Stakeholder :

Office/division senior management to provide information and reports on Open Data research findings, and to provide advice and expertise on directive/standards options, and recommended issues management strategies/solutions.
Ministry and inter-ministry management and staff to provide Open Data advice and guidance on the collection, analysis and approval of datasets for public release, to facilitate consultation processes, and to conduct research.
Cross-ministry working groups and partnerships to participate in consultations and collaborate/share information on research and development initiatives and findings.
Representatives of other jurisdictions and levels of government to exchange information on current Open Data issues and trends.
Representatives and members of the general public to provide information related to the Open Data and framework and the release of government data.

Guidance / Supervision :

Provides technical/operational advice and guidance to management across the OPS on the interpretation and application of Open Data Directive requirements, and to support the review, preparation, analysis and approval of ministry datasets and information for government-wide or public release.

Demands / Pressures :

Work Demands :

Frequent requirement to function within an environment of tight and changing deadlines, and unexpected work demands.
Occasional conflicting work demands from multiple sources.

Mental / Sensory :

Frequent requirement to concentrate to conduct research, environmental scans and data analysis.
Frequent requirement to focus, listen and observe when participating in consultations/meetings, and providing advice and guidance to management.

Conditions / Environment :

Work is performed in a typical office environment.