Office of the Information Commissioner: Home Page

NOTICE OF VACANCY

Office of the Information Commissioner

Information Commissioner (full-time position)

Location: National Capital Region

The Office of the Information Commissioner was created in 1983 under the Access to Information Act. An agent of Parliament, the Information Commissioner oversees the implementation of the Access to Information Act by government institutions. The Information Commissioner is also responsible for investigating complaints under the Access to Information Act regarding access to government records and mediates between dissatisfied applicants and government institutions.

The successful candidate must have a degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study, or a combination of equivalent education, job-related training and/or experience. The preferred candidate must have demonstrated decision-making experience with respect to sensitive issues. Management experience, at the senior executive level, in a private or public sector organization, including managing human and financial resources, with experience in the interpretation and application of legislation, regulations and policies, is required. The chosen candidate will also have significant experience dealing with government, preferably with senior government officials, as well as stakeholders and the media.

Knowledge of the mandate, roles and responsibilities of the Commissioner, together with knowledge of the role of an agent of Parliament and its relationship with Parliament and the government, is essential. The successful candidate will have knowledge of the legislative and regulatory framework within which the Commissioner carries out his or her mandate, in particular the Access to Information Act, the Privacy Act and their regulations. Knowledge of seminal case law and relevant government policies on access to information, as well as emerging access to information issues in Canada and their impact on government, individual Canadians and Canadian society at large, is important. Knowledge of access to information regimes in other jurisdictions, provincial or international, would be an asset. The preferred candidate will also have knowledge of the Canadian parliamentary system and the work of parliamentary committees.

The selected candidate must be a leader with sound judgment, objectivity, integrity, strong professional ethics and superior interpersonal skills. The successful candidate must also be able to develop and maintain effective relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, policy makers at all levels, the media and the public at large. The ability to interpret relevant statutes, regulations and policies and analyze complex situations in order to make equitable decisions and recommendations, while anticipating their short and long-term consequences, is essential. The chosen candidate will have the ability to think strategically, anticipate trends and act to influence the policy development process. Finally, superior communications skills, both written and oral, as well as the ability to act as a spokesperson on access to information issues in dealing with Parliament, the government, the media and other organizations, are vital.

The successful candidate must be willing to relocate to the National Capital Region or to a location within reasonable commuting distance.

The government is committed to ensuring that its appointments are representative of Canada’s regions and official languages, as well as of women, Aboriginal peoples, disabled persons and visible minorities.

The preferred candidate must comply with the Ethical Guidelines for Public Office Holders and Guidelines for the Political Activities of Public Office Holders. The guidelines are available on the Governor in Council Appointments Website, under Reference Material at www.appointments-nominations.gc.ca.

The selected candidate 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 at http://ciec-ccie.gc.ca.

This notice has been 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.

Further details about the Office of the Information Commissioner and its activities can be found on its Web site at:
www.oic-ci.gc.ca.

Interested candidates should forward their curriculum vitae by July 13, 2009, to the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Senior Personnel), Privy Council Office, 59 Sparks Street, 1^st Floor, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A3, (613) 957-5006 (facsimile), GICA-NGEC@bnet.pco-bcp.gc.ca (email).

Bilingual notices of vacancies will be produced in alternative format (audio cassette, diskette, braille, large print, etc.) upon request. For further information, please contact Canadian Government Publishing, Public Works and Government Services Canada, Ottawa, Canada K1A 0S5, (613) 941-5995 or 1-800-635-7943.