The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) is an independent officer of the Legislature with a multifaceted mandate in the areas of privacy protection, access to government held information, and access to one's own personal information and health records.
We currently have an opening for the Assistant Commissioner, Strategic Initiatives and External Relations. This position reports directly to the Commissioner and is a member of the executive management team of IPC.
The Assistant Commissioner leads the advancement of IPC's strategic plans and priorities by inspiring creative ideas, marshalling resources and partnering with others towards the successful achievement of the organization's goals.
The role is responsible for overseeing key functions (including Policy, Health Policy, Technology, Communications, and Legal Services) that proactively promote the IPC's mandate by building general awareness of Ontarians' access and privacy rights, and providing advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders.
The Assistant Commissioner provides high level strategic advice to the Commissioner on all matters under the Assistant Commissioner's areas of responsibility. The Assistant Commissioner publicly represents the IPC, and occasionally replaces the Commissioner, serving as ambassador for the organization and championing its mandate. The Assistant Commissioner mentors and supports five (5) direct reports, and leads and inspires a larger team of thirty-five (35) highly dedicated staff.
About the job
The Assistant Commissioner provides strategic direction, management and leadership in respect of several areas of responsibility as they relate to promoting privacy and access rights, including:
- Developing submissions to Legislative Committees and Ministries on draft legislation or regulations that may impact privacy or access;
- Providing policy and technology advice to governments and public sector organizations on new programs, policies and initiatives with privacy and access implications;
- Publishing guidance materials on access and privacy rights and obligations to a broad range of stakeholders, including the general public;
- Conducting research and environmental scanning of access and privacy issues, including emerging technological issues;
- Making public presentations to various audiences on access and privacy issues;
- Overseeing strategic communications, public outreach and media relations;
- Responding to inquiries from stakeholders or the general public;
- Providing strategic direction on legal analyses, opinions and litigation activity in support of all IPC functions, including Corporate Services and Tribunal processes;
- Coordinating external relations and joint collaborative work with international, federal, provincial and territorial counterparts and other relevant regulators; and,
- Forging collaborations with relevant stakeholders with a view to advancing IPC's strategic priorities and goals.
What you bring to the team
Mandatory requirements
As the ideal candidate for this Assistant Commissioner position, you are a respected thought leader in the area of access to information and privacy. You are a highly strategic and creative thinker, and are driven to achieve and demonstrate results. You have boundless energy and passion to carry out the mandate of the IPC and are dedicated to public service. You have a proven track record of working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, connecting people and ideas. You have built high-performing teams through times of change and you have inspired others to grow and develop in their roles through your exemplary leadership.
You have at least seven (7) years' experience in a senior management position in the federal or provincial public sector, leading both legal and policy teams. You have expert knowledge of access and privacy law, and have practiced at least seven (7) years in a combination of privacy, access to information, public and administrative law.
You have experience managing and/or advising on strategic communications and issues management.
You hold an undergraduate university degree in an area relevant to this position, and a masters' degree will be considered an asset. You have successfully completed your legal studies in a Canadian university and are a member of the bar of a Canadian province or territory.
You are an excellent communicator, both orally and in writing.
You have a working proficiency with emerging information technologies and an understanding of their broader legal, social and ethical implications, including privacy and security risks.