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Information Commissioner, Office of the Information 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 following position:

Information Commissioner (full-time position)

Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada

Salary Range: $315,300

Position Location: National Capital Region

The Government has committed to setting a higher bar for openness and transparency and rebuilding trust in public institutions.

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 the Government's decision-making.

As the Information Commissioner, you will promote and safeguard a critical part of the public sector's core values and ethics. The Commissioner is an independent Agent of Parliament who, through the Access to Information Act:

  • Conducts efficient, fair and confidential investigations into complaints about federal institutions’ handling of access to information requests
  • Provides arms-length oversight of the federal government’s access to information practices
  • Encourages and assists federal institutions to adopt approaches to information-sharing that meet the objectives of the Act, and advocates for greater access to information in Canada and
  • Reports to Parliament on the activities of the office.

In your role as Commissioner, you will work in collaboration with other senior public leaders and around the world, in a professional and non-partisan manner. You will lead a dynamic team of experts to fulfill 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 re-appointed for a further term not exceeding seven years.

Further details about the organization and its activities can be found on the Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada's website.

Review of applications will begin on July 14, 2017. Candidates must 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 Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Senior Personnel), Privy Council Office, and should be sent only through the online 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 Canadians, 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 stakeholders, policy and decision makers, as well as the media and
  • Familiarity with federal or provincial Access to Information legislation and application would be considered an asset.

If you are selected for an interview, the following criteria will be assessed:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledge of relevant legislation and policy frameworks:
    • federal Access to Information Act and provincial access to information legislation, in particular 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 Privacy 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.
  • Understanding of the context in which the Commissioner works:
    • the Westminster system of parliamentary government and the work of parliamentary committees and
    • the role of an agent of Parliament and the relationship with Parliament and the Government.
  • 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 and
    • 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.

Language Requirements

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 upon appointment the Commissioner must be able to speak and understand clearly both official languages.
  • The Access to Information Act requires that the Commissioner shall engage exclusively in the duties of the office of Information Commissioner under this or any other Act of Parliament and shall not hold any other office under Her Majesty for reward 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.

If you are appointed to this position:

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

You will be subject to the Conflict of Interest Act. Public office holders appointed on a full–time basis must submit to the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, 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.

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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