Senior Information and Privacy Manager - Generalist

Role Responsibilities

This position is crucial to the Commissioner’s oversight mandate. It focuses on the mediation and investigation of reviews and complaints, ensuring most issues are resolved outside the formal inquiry process. This role not only enforces legislative compliance but also enhances the understanding and practice of information and privacy rights among stakeholders.

• Evaluate decisions made by the heads of public bodies, organizations, and custodians to ensure they comply with the laws.
• Conduct investigations for the purpose of trying to settle issues under review or complaint, aiming for legislative compliance and resolution outside formal inquiries.
• Discuss findings with involved parties, usually over the telephone or on a virtual platform, making recommendations to public bodies, custodians, or organizations when appropriate to ensure compliance and improve practices.
• Conduct informal investigations initiated by the Commissioner.
• Assess and provide feedback on initiatives, policies, procedures, and practices of public bodies, custodians, and organizations to support adherence to relevant Acts.
• Inform and educate stakeholders about their obligations under the Acts and raise public awareness about access and privacy rights.
• Conduct research and stay informed about current and emerging issues in other jurisdictions.
• Build rapport and collaborate effectively with team members and other OIPC staff.
• Maintain high standards of quality and efficiency while managing a diverse and demanding workload.

For a copy of the full job description, please visit this link.

Qualifications and Requirements

This position requires a strong foundation in legislative interpretation and investigation and emphasizes the importance of communication and mediation. The successful candidate will bring a blend of technical expertise and interpersonal skills, making a significant impact on the OIPC’s mission to uphold privacy and information rights.

• A university degree in a related field is required.
• At least six years of directly related experience, encompassing:
• Legislative interpretation
• Investigations
• Research and analysis
• Mediation and/or multi-party dispute resolution
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills are essential for effectively conveying complex legal concepts and engaging with diverse stakeholders.
• Understanding of access and privacy laws and principles, preferably Alberta’s HIA, PIPA, ATIA, POPA and the now repealed FOIP through the transition period, and administrative fairness principles.  
• Proven ability to interpret and apply legislation to specific circumstances, ensuring compliance and providing well-reasoned findings and recommendations.
• Knowledge of the rules of natural justice and administrative fairness.
• Investigative experience, including the ability to prepare investigative plans, identify relevant facts and law, gather evidence, conduct interviews, analyze the information, and make findings and recommendations on complex and sensitive issues.
• Experience establishing and building effective relationships with stakeholders, including the public, media, interest groups and senior level representatives in the public/health/private sectors and other jurisdictions, and internally with a team and all office staff.
• Strong research and analytical skills to evaluate policies, procedures, and practices, and provide insightful feedback to support legislative adherence.
• Effective mediation skills to resolve disputes among multiple parties, promoting amicable settlements and maintaining a cooperative atmosphere.
• Superior interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage conflict, maintain objectivity in sensitive situations, and demonstrate tact and diplomacy.

Additional Teams You Will be Working with as Required

Listed below are the other teams this position will be assigned to by the Commissioner based on resource needs of the team:

Compliance Support team: This team is responsible for reviewing and commenting on privacy impact assessments (PIAs) submitted by organizations, custodians, and public bodies under the Acts.  This team is also responsible for reviewing breach reports submitted under the Acts, ensuring the notification about a breach complies with the respective Act and for rendering decisions about the duty to notify under PIPA.  As part of this work, this team gatekeeps at intake to ensure completeness of PIA and breach reporting submissions.

Investigation team: This team is responsible to conduct formal investigations generated by the Commissioner including for potential offences.

Engagement team: This team is responsible for engaging the public and stakeholders subject to the Acts to raise awareness about the Acts through various activities including working with these stakeholders to help them meet their obligations under the Acts, developing guidance, commenting and making recommendations concerning legislative reform of the Acts or other public policy that may impact the rights under the Acts, and generally supporting the Commissioner with her outreach activities.

What We Offer

• A first-year vacation grant for new hires to the Alberta Public Service, plus vacation earned each month.
• Management Vacation supplement:  Management employees receive 5 additional work days of vacation at the beginning of each calendar year.
• Paid statutory holidays following Government of Alberta leave directives, including Holiday closure in December.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home (which is currently being piloted) and modified work schedule agreements.
• Comprehensive benefits plan.
• Management Employee Pension plan.
• Health Spending Account (HSA).

Notes

• Final candidates for this position will be asked to undergo a security clearance.
• Hours of Work for this position are 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.