Privacy Commissioner - AMENDMENT, Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

**If you have applied between July 5, 2021 and December 6, 2021, you do not need to re-apply to be considered for this position.

The mission of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada is to protect and promote the privacy rights of individuals. The Office oversees compliance with both the Privacy Act, which covers the personal information-handling practices of federal government departments and agencies, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), Canada’s private sector privacy law, along with some aspects of Canada’s anti-spam law.

As an Agent of Parliament, the Privacy Commissioner reports directly to the House of Commons and the Senate. The Commissioner’s powers to further the privacy rights of Canadians include:

• investigating complaints from individuals with respect to the federal public sector and the private sector;


• conducting audits and pursuing court action under the Privacy Act and PIPEDA;


• publicly reporting on the personal information-handling practices of public and private sector organizations;


• undertaking and publishing research related to the protection of personal information; and


• promoting public awareness and understanding of privacy issues.

Diversity and Official Languages

We are committed to providing a healthy and accessible workplace that supports one’s dignity, self-esteem and the ability to work on one’s full potential. With this in mind, all appointees will be expected to take steps to promote and maintain a healthy, respectful, inclusive and harassment-free work environment.

Preference may be given to applicants who are members of one or more of the following groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of a visible minority group.

The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency and diversity in assessing applicants. You are therefore encouraged to include in your online profile your ability to speak and understand your second official language.

Education and Experience

• A degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study such as law, ethics or public administration, or a combination of equivalent education, training and/or experience;


• Significant management experience, at the senior executive level, in a private or public sector organization;


• Significant experience in an oversight function with decision-making authority having an impact or influence over other organizations;


• Experience in representing an organization, communicating and consulting at a senior level with a broad range of stakeholders, policy and decision makers, as well as the media, both domestically and internationally;


• Experience in leading organizations through transition, with a strong record of successful cooperation and collaboration with other agencies; and


• Comprehensive experience in managing investigation activities would be considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of relevant legislation and policy frameworks:
  
  
  
  • federal Privacy Act, Access to Information Act and PIPEDA, or provincial privacy legislation;
  
  
  • the mandate, role and responsibilities of organizations responsible for administering and interpreting legislative and policy frameworks that support transparent and accountable government;
  
  
  • legislative and policy frameworks governing openness and transparency in government, including the Conflict of Interest Act, the Access to Information Act, and the various values and ethics codes for federal public office holders; and
  
  
  • legal principles, procedures and practices involved in conducting an investigation, particularly as they relate to evidence, legal interpretation and natural justice;
  
  
  
  


• Knowledge of current and emerging technology issues as they relate to privacy;


• Understanding of the context in which the Office of the Privacy Commissioner works:
  
  
  
  • the Westminster system of parliamentary government and the work of parliamentary committees;
  
  
  • the role of an agent of Parliament and the relationship with Parliament and the Government; and
  
  
  
  


• Proficiency in both official languages, as set out in the Languages Skills Act (statutory).

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages (as set out in the Language Skills Act).

• Leadership acumen:
  
  
  
  • ability to lead and manage a public sector organization and to define its strategies and objectives
  
  
  • ability to guide the interpretation of provisions of various statutes, regulations, policies and other enabling frameworks
  
  
  • ability to analyze differing opinions and complex situations with a view to taking sound decisions that are reasonable and fair
  
  
  
  


• Strong communicator:
  
  
  
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
  
  
  
  

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

• Appointees must comply with the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders throughout their appointment as a term and condition of employment. The guidelines are available on the Governor in Council Appointments website under the Forms and reference material.


• All appointees are subject to the Conflicts of Interest Act. Public office holders appointed on a full-time basis must also submit to the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics within 60 days of appointment, a confidential report in which they disclose all of their assets, liabilities and outside activities. For more information, please visit the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's website.


• Appointees must uphold the highest standards of probity and are expected to demonstrate behaviours in the workplace that afford respect, equality and dignity, to everyone they interact with at work at all times. The Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector outlines the values and expected behaviours for public servants, including valuing diversity and creating workplaces free from harassment and discrimination. Governor in Council appointees are expected to uphold and respect these values and principles in a positive and active manner.


• Any person appointed as Privacy Commissioner must, at the time of his or her appointment, be able to speak and understand clearly both official languages (statutory).


• If you are appointed to this position, you must reside in or be willing to relocate to the National Capital Region, or to a location within a reasonable commuting distance.


• If you are appointed to this position, you must be willing to travel across Canada and internationally, when travel opportunities resume.

A link to this notice will be placed in the Canada Gazette to assist the Governor in Council in identifying qualified candidates. It is not, however, intended to be the sole means of recruitment.

A list of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar opportunities.

How to Apply

Review of applications (more information available here) will begin on January 17, 2022. Candidates should apply online via the Governor in Council Appointments website. Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their applications by this date. After this date, your application will be retained and may be considered up until an appointment to the position is made. Your cover letter should be addressed to the Deputy Director of Selection Processes, Senior Personnel Secretariat, Privy Council Office, and should be sent only through the online application.

Instructions on how to apply for an appointment opportunity can be found on the Governor in Council Appointments website.