Reporting directly to the Assistant Commissioner, Strategic Initiatives and External Relations (Assistant Commissioner), the
Director of Policy is a member of the senior management team of the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC).
The Director of Policy is responsible for strategic leadership and management of a high-performing policy directorate. This team includes policy and research analysts with expertise in privacy, access to information, government systems, and information technology.
The Director of Policy manages the team, nurtures the talents and development of team members, and assures the quality of policy products.
Working closely with the Assistant Commissioner and Commissioner, the Director of Policy also helps define the strategic directions of the policy function at the IPC.
The Director of Policy provides advice to the Assistant Commissioner and Commissioner on all matters under the Director's areas of responsibility.
The Director may represent the IPC at stakeholder events, serving as an ambassador for the organization and communicating the Commission's perspectives.
About the job
The Director of Policy manages the policy team and provides day-to-day direction of the work of policy and research analysts. This involves:
- Producing timely high-quality, plain-language memoranda, reports, guidance, tools, and presentations;
- Preparing position papers in response to government consultations on legislative or regulatory proposals, and supporting the Commissioner's testimony at Legislative assembly committees;
- Engaging with government organizations during the development of policies, programs, and activities that could affect privacy and transparency;
- Reviewing, analyzing and commenting on privacy impact assessments of public sector institutions;
- Engaging with stakeholders to advance the Commission's four strategic priorities;
- Providing research and support to the IPC Tribunal; and
- Preparing for and participating on behalf of the IPC in provincial, national, and international policy fora.
The Director of Policy provides regular briefings and support to the Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner on policy matters that relate to the Commission's independent oversight role in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA), and Part X of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA).
The Director of Policy also organizes and manages human resources of the policy team, including through recruitment, hiring, professional development, performance management, and succession planning.
What you bring to the team
Mandatory requirements
As the ideal candidate for this Director of Policy position, you are a creative and effective leader who can develop and execute strategic approaches to privacy and transparency policy. You have excellent interpersonal skills, which you would use to manage and support team members in support of the organization's goals.
Mandatory qualifications- You have recent (within the last 3 years) experience as a manager or senior mentor in a team setting.
- You have at least 3 years of experience advising on, developing, or overseeing laws or policies relating to privacy, transparency and information technology.
- You have been responsible for managing external consultations or engagements with public sector organizations.
- You have a demonstrated record of respecting and promoting diversity, and have taken positive actions to address or prevent discrimination in the workplace.
- You have a demonstrated record of acting with integrity and making good ethical judgments.
- You are an excellent writer and editor.
- You have demonstrated a strong ability to present to small and large groups.
- You have highly effective communication and interpersonal skills, which you use to positively influence colleagues, stakeholders, and team-members.
- You have demonstrated a capacity to understand and propose improvements to complex policies, regulations, and laws – although you do not need to be a lawyer.
- You have demonstrated the ability to break down complex work into components and to organize people and resources for successful completion of projects.
- You have a demonstrated ability to lead meetings and group processes.
- You have demonstrated the capacity to innovate in response to a difficult problem facing an organization.
- You have a sound understanding of the fundamental principles of privacy and freedom of information as they relate to government institutions.
- You have a sound understanding of the legislative process and of how government institutions develop policy.
Asset qualifications (not mandatory, but should be included in your application if applicable)
- You have the ability to communicate (orally and in writing) in French.
- You have led recruitment and hiring processes.
- You have had primary responsibility for consultations or engagements with civil society organizations and/or academic institutions.
- You have led change in an organization.
- You have an advanced degree or professional certification relating to privacy or government transparency.
- You have received formal training in project management, plain language communication, management of people, financial management, or public administration.