Apply By: Friday, August 22, 2025 11:59 pm EDT

Senior Policy Advisor

Job ID:
232862
Organization:
Legislative Assembly
Division:
Strategic Initiatives and External Communications Division / Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
City:
Toronto
Position(s) language:
English
Job term:
1 Permanent, 1 Temporary (12 months, with possibility of extension)
Job code:
Not available - Not available
Salary:
Not available

Bring your expertise, passion and enthusiasm for access, privacy and the public good to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC), and contribute to important public policy discussions about Ontarians' information privacy and access rights.

Your expert ability to research, analyze and communicate about Ontario's access and privacy landscape and the importance of privacy and transparency in the public sector, will support IPC initiatives focused on:

• engaging and communicating with key regulated sectors, including provincial and municipal government, law enforcement, education, and child welfare
• providing expert advice on the responsible development and deployment of programs and practices across the public sector in Ontario
• reviewing and evaluating policy instruments, including legislative or regulatory amendments, and providing expert recommendations in support of Ontarians' access and privacy rights
• undertaking legislated reviews of the policies and practices of Ontario institutions to assess their compliance with legislated requirements
• identifying, evaluating and reporting on developments in privacy and transparency across Ontario, Canada, and the globe
• supporting new policy work resulting from the implementation of Bill 194, the Strengthening Cyber Security and Building Trust in the Public Sector Act.

The IPC is an independent officer of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, with oversight responsibility for Ontario's access and privacy laws, including the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Personal Health Information Protection Act and the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017.

About the job

Independently and as part of a team, you will:
• conduct research and analysis and recommend policy positions on emerging issues, legislative requirements, and priority focus areas, to support the work of the IPC;
• develop or update guidance and educational materials to assist regulated entities in meeting their privacy and access obligations;
• engage with regulated entities by reviewing, evaluating and commenting on their plans and proposals to protect privacy or promote transparency within their institutions;
• monitor for, review, evaluate, and provide recommendations for IPC comment on proposed legislative or regulatory amendments;
• brief Commissioners and senior management on policy-related matters;
• undertake legislated reviews of the policies and practices of Ontario institutions to assess their compliance with statutory requirements and standards;
• draft correspondence and other communication materials for Commissioners and senior management;
• develop and deliver presentations to large and small groups (e.g. conferences, sector tables)
• identify and analyze trends in access and privacy in Ontario and other jurisdictions;
• contribute to IPC strategic planning and strategic initiatives;
• contribute to maintaining and improving the Policy Department's information management and internal communication flows;
• participate in IPC and external events.

Job Code: Individual Contributor 11 (I11)
Salary: $100,293 - $141,361 annually

What you bring to the team


Mandatory Requirements

• You have applied experience in at least one of: children's education, child welfare, law enforcement/policing, data governance or law reform.
• You have planned and conducted public consultations on complex policy issues.
• You have applied experience in program evaluation or audit methodology.
• You can communicate in French (orally and in writing).

Policy and Technical Knowledge

• You possess extensive knowledge of access, privacy, open government and transparency issues in public sector organizations;
• You have solid knowledge of Ontario's provincial and municipal organizations, policies and programs, including new requirements introduced under Schedule 2 of Bill 194, the Strengthening Cyber Security and Building Trust in the Public Sector Act;
• You have a strong understanding of access and privacy issues relating to the collection, use, retention and disclosure of personal information in the public sector;
• You have knowledge of the potential impacts of technology upon privacy and transparency rights;
• You have applied knowledge and understanding of strategy and decision-making processes to ensure policy and program submissions support IPC direction and mandate;
• You have knowledge of issues management techniques and principles to integrate into the policy process.

Interpersonal and Relationship Management Skills

• You have consultation, partnership and relationship management skills to establish critical business relationships and promote the IPC's strategic direction;
• You work well in a collaborative, team-based environment;
• You exercise political acuity when providing relevant information to organizational leadership.

Analytical, Research and Project Management Experience

• You have the demonstrated ability to identify, assess and use relevant and appropriate information sources for conducting research.
• You have the demonstrated ability to conduct thorough research and analysis, and prepare relevant evaluations and recommendations;
• You can identify and resolve issues affecting the organization in achieving its objectives;
• You can identify risks and barriers to policy and program decisions;
• You can manage competing deadlines while operating under tight time constraints.

Communication and Presentation Skills

• You have well-developed oral communication skills to respond to issues, provide recommendations, and promote key messages to internal and external parties whose expertise on privacy and access issues may vary;
• You have strong written communication skills to prepare reports and promote policy and program initiatives to internal and external parties in plain language;
• You have experience using standard computer software applications (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, presentation) to research and prepare materials.
• You have well-developed information management (IM) skills to contribute to the ongoing improvement of the Policy Department's information management, reporting and internal communication requirements.

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

Traditional schooling is only one of many paths to knowledge and experience. If you're interested and feel you're a good fit for the role, apply. We encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

What we offer

• A modern organization with a flexible hybrid work model with in-office attendance at a minimum of 5-10 days per month.
• Commitment to continuous learning and developmental opportunities for all its employees.
• Work with an innovative and high performing organization committed to creating a positive organizational culture and highly dedicated to its mission of advancing the privacy and access rights of Ontarians.
• A defined benefit pension plan, Comprehensive Health Plan, and Life and Disability Insurance.
• Maternity and parental leave top-up benefits (permanent positions).

How do I apply?

1. You must submit your application using only one of the methods identified below.
2. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five pages.
3. Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job.

Application Process:
• Provide cover letter and resume in English
• Please apply through our website

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.

Additional information:

Apply by:
Friday, August 22, 2025 11:59 pm EDT
Position details:
  • 1 English Permanent, 2 Bloor St E, Toronto, Toronto Region
  • 1 English Temporary, duration up to 12 months, 2 Bloor St E, Toronto, Toronto Region
Compensation group:
Management Compensation Plan
Work hours:
Category:
Policy and Analysis
Posted on:
Thursday, July 24, 2025

Note:

  • • Ontario Public Service (OPS) & IPC Reciprocal Staffing Agreement:
    OPS & IPC Reciprocal Staffing Agreement: The IPC has a Reciprocal Staffing Agreement with the Ontario Public Service (OPS) that enables OPS employees to apply to positions with the IPC.
    • Qualified List Information:
    A list of qualified candidates will be established for the Senior Policy Advisor position in the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) and will be in effect for twelve (12) months from the date the list is created. Qualified candidates on the list may be considered when filling future permanent and/or temporary vacancies in this position.
    • Hybrid Work: The IPC is a hybrid work environment. Team members are required to attend our Toronto office (2 Bloor Street East) for a minimum of 6 days per month, including a set departmental in-office day once per week (Thursday), and other days as arranged or required .
    • This posting is for an organization that is separate from the Ontario Public Service. The information and tips on the Ontario Public Service Careers website may not apply to this posting.


How to apply:

  1. You must submit your application using only one of the methods identified below.
  2. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
  3. Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
  4. Be sure to quote the Job ID number for this position.
  5. OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
Send application to: 

Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.


All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Information collection notice

We are collecting your personal information to assess how well you meet the qualifications for employment with the Ontario Public Service, and for related recruitment purposes. The collection of personal information is necessary to the proper administration of OPS Careers, which is an authorized common service in accordance with s. 6 of the Ministry of Government Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.25.

Please do not include any more personal information than is needed for your application (for example, do not include your photograph or social insurance number).

If you have any questions about how your information is collected, used, shared or saved, please contact us.

Strengthening Ontario, together