JOB SUMMARY

The Policy and Business Operations Branch is responsible for developing, adapting and implementing legislative policy and projects relating to all areas of governance; administration of the City’s Commemorative Naming program, the Accountability Framework and Transparency programs including support for the Integrity Commissioner, the Lobbyist Registry, Closed Meetings Investigations and Public Disclosure of Elected Officials’ Office Expenses; designing, customization and/or integration of e-business and other applications/solutions or special technical projects in response to business requirements or legislative changes; processing print requests, mail and coordinating courier services for all City of Ottawa departments; responding to formal access to information requests submitted under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) and the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA); and providing business support services to the department.

You act as the City's subject matter expert on matters related to access to information and protection of privacy, including the application of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 1990 (MFIPPA) and Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA), "the Acts", or comparable legislation from other Canadian jurisdictions.

You process access to information requests, promote the routine disclosure of information, complete privacy impact assessments, investigate privacy breaches and promote a culture of privacy protection.

You also request and review Corporate Records, which may be highly confidential, sensitive and/or political. Records include solicitor-client privilege; law enforcement matters; technical, commercial and financial information supplied to the corporation; information provided by the Federal or Provincial Government or a foreign country or state; and personal information, including Labour Relations matters, such as employee health and wellness and grievances.

In addition, you monitor amendments to legislation and regulations relevant to MFIPPA and other applicable legislation, as well as decisions of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC), to inform applicability of processes and policies within the City of Ottawa, and serve as the primary liaison between external parties, internal departments, and the IPC.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Completion of 3 year degree in Law, Information Management, Political Science or related field

Minimum of 3 years of related experience with freedom of information and privacy legislation, preferably in a large municipal setting

Prior legal or paralegal experience is an asset

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 1996 and its regulations
• Knowledge of the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004
• Knowledge of provincial legislation and the orders of the IPC
• Knowledge of the corporation, its political and administrative structure, and decision making procedures
• Knowledge of corporate correspondence practices and administrative requirements
• Knowledge of corporate Records Management systems
• Knowledge of applicable health and safety legislation, including the rights and duties of workers.

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing at all levels of the organization and with external stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to both interpret legislation and to work with appeal precedents and findings
• Superior skill in mediating and preparing appeal submissions to be considered by the IPC
• Demonstrated public relations skills, sound judgment and ability to handle confidential, political and/or sensitive matters
• Ability to design and deliver training programs and make effective presentations on complex material
• Results oriented and able to achieve goals by setting challenging but realistic targets and deadlines, while managing workload effectively
• Ability to work effectively under established legislated timelines
• Excellent analytical ability and a strong decision maker
• High level of competence in interpersonal relations and communication, with strong customer service orientation
• Highly organized and able to pay attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and as part of a larger group