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Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner

Appointment Opportunity

We know that our country is stronger – and our government more effective – when decision-makers reflect Canada's diversity. Moving forward, the Government of Canada will use an appointment process that is transparent and merit-based, strives for gender parity, and ensures that Indigenous Canadians and minority groups are properly represented in positions of leadership. We will continue to search for Canadians who reflect the values that we all embrace: inclusion, honesty, fiscal prudence, and generosity of spirit. Together, we will build a government as diverse as Canada.

The Government of Canada is currently seeking applications from diverse and talented Canadians from across the country who are interested in the position of:

Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner (full-time position)

Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner

Salary Range: under review

Position Location: Ottawa, Ontario

The Government has committed to setting a higher bar for openness and transparency and rebuilding trust in public institutions. Do you have the vision and motivation to guide our senior decision-makers in upholding the conflict of interest aspects of this important commitment? If so, this could be your next challenge.

Meeting the expectations of Canadians in the 21st century requires more than “business as usual”. The Government will deliver results and real change, while maintaining and enhancing Canadians' confidence and trust in the integrity of their federal institutions.

As the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, you will promote and safeguard a critical part of the public sector's core values and ethics. The Commissioner is an independent Officer of Parliament who, through the Conflict of Interest Act and the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons:

  • Determines the measures necessary to avoid conflicts of interest between the public duties and private interests of elected and appointed officials;
  • Provides confidential policy advice and support to public office holders to comply with conflict of interest requirements, including Members of Parliament and the Prime Minister; and
  • Reports to Parliament on performance under the Act and Code.

In your role as Commissioner, you will work in collaboration with other senior public leaders across Canada and around the world, in a professional and non-partisan manner. You will lead a dynamic team of experts to fulfil the important responsibilities of this pillar of the Government's ethical regime.

The Commissioner holds office for a seven-year term and is eligible to be reappointed for one or more subsequent terms.

Further details about the organization and its activities can be found on the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Website.

Candidates must apply online by January 9, 2017 via the Governor in Council Website. Your cover letter should be addressed to the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Senior Personnel), Privy Council Office, and should be sent only through the on-line application.

Diversity

The Government of Canada will consider diversity in assessing candidates for this position. Preference may be given to candidates who are members of one or more of the following groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities.

To be considered for this position, please provide examples from your career that clearly demonstrate how you meet the following requirements in your application:

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;
  • Comprehensive experience in managing investigation activities;
  • Experience in representing an organization, communicating and consulting at a senior level with a broad range of private sector and public sector stakeholders, policy and decision makers, as well as the media; and
  • Experience in providing confidential advice to individual public office holders, with respect to the application of conflict of interest legislation to individuals and to their legislative obligations would be considered an asset.

If you are selected for an interview and further assessment, the following criteria will be evaluated:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledge of relevant legislation and policy frameworks:
    • federal Conflict of Interest Act and provincial conflict of interest legislation;
    • policy frameworks governing ethics and transparency in government, including the federal Lobbying Act, the Privacy Act, the Access to Information Act, the various values and ethics codes for federal public office holders;
    • the mandate, role and responsibilities of organizations responsible for administering legislative frameworks that prevent conflicts between the public duties and private interests of elected and appointed officials; and
    • legal principles, procedures and practices involved in the conduct of investigations; particularly as they relate to evidence, legal interpretation and natural justice.
  • Understanding of the context in which the Commissioner works:
    • the Westminster system of parliamentary government, including the work of parliamentary committees;
    • the role of an agent of Parliament and its relationship with Parliament and the Government; and
    • practices, principles and policies underlying interactions between federal government institutions and the private sector, including government consultation methods, government contracting rules and private sector lobbying techniques.
  • Leadership acumen:
    • ability to lead and manage a public sector organization and to define its strategies and objectives; and
    • ability to analyze differing opinions and complex situations with a view to taking sound decisions that are reasonable and fair.
  • Strong communicator:
    • effective communication, orally and in writing; and
    • proficiency in both official languages (as set out in the Language Skills Act).

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

In your application, it will be important that you confirm you meet the following requirements:

  • The Language Skills Act requires that at the time of your appointment, you must be able to speak and understand clearly both official languages;
  • The Parliament of Canada Act requires that the Commissioner:
    • must be:
      • a former judge of a superior court in Canada or of any other court whose members are appointed under an Act of the legislature of a province; or
      • a former member of a federal or provincial board, commission or tribunal who, in the opinion of the Governor in Council, has demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following:
        • conflicts of interest, or
        • financial arrangements, or
        • professional regulation and discipline, or
        • ethics, or
      • a former Senate Ethics Officer or former Ethics Commissioner.
    • shall engage exclusively in the duties and functions of the Commissioner and may not hold any office under Her Majesty or engage in any other employment for reward.
  • You reside in or are willing to relocate to the National Capital Region or to a location within reasonable commuting distance.
  • You are willing to travel across Canada and internationally.

Personal Attributes

If you move on to the next stage of the selection process, we will contact your references and conduct other assessments as required to verify how you have demonstrated the experience and eligibility requirements, as well as the following attributes, in your current and recently held positions:

  • Strong ethical standards
  • Sound judgment
  • Impartiality
  • Tact
  • Good interpersonal skills

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

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

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