Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Review Officer

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The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nova Scotia (OIPC) is the independent oversight body responsible for monitoring and overseeing compliance with four statutes, the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (FIOPOP), the Privacy Review Officer Act (PRO), the Municipal Government Act, Part XX (MGA) and the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA). As the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Nova Scotia, also referred to as Review Officer under the FIOPOP Act, you provide impartial oversight to more than 400 public bodies and more than 26,000 health custodians and are accountable to ensure Nova Scotia's public sector is open and accountable, while the privacy rights of citizens are respected and protected.

As head of the Office, you provide senior executive advice and recommendations on access and privacy matters and uphold ongoing compliance with Nova Scotia's access and privacy laws. Through your leadership, you direct the effective implementation of the Office's core business functions, lead and promote good governance and develop and communicate priorities and strategic direction, while working with various levels of government and public bodies with a view to uphold democratic principes of openness, transparency and accountability.

As OIPC's executive head, the Information and Privacy Commissioner (Review Officer) provides independent advice and oversight with respect to compliance with access and privacy law requirements and is responsible for the development of a comprehensive case management strategy to ensure the Office responds to current and emerging access and privacy issues while providing an independent, impartial, timely, fair, transparent, and accessible complaint and review process. As a proven leader you manage positive relations through communications and executive level linkages with key stakeholders to enable dialogue around access and privacy issues, and the identification of emerging access and privacy risks and mitigation strategies. Where necessary, the Commissioner conducts formal hearings and issues recommendation reports and is also accountable to issue an annual report on the functions of the Review Officer under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act and must lay the report before the House of Assembly.

The ideal candidate will have 10-15 years of executive level experience, with considerable experience working with access and privacy matters in complex environments and will have a comprehensive knowledge of the Nova Scotia's Freedom of Informational and Protection of Privacy Act, Municipal Government Act and Regulations and other applicable legislation. Preference will be given to leaders with relevant education and experience in Business, Information Management or Law.

You are comfortable working within a publicly accountable context and hold yourself to the highest standards of professional public service. You are committed to providing valuable advice and recommendations to the Nova Scotia Government as it decides how to amend laws. As a leader, you improve services based on the critique of the public and display passion for change, creativity, collaboration, with the highest level of integrity. You will also have a proven track record of working in leadership and management roles with experience in public speaking, facilitation and addressing the media.

Working With Us

We strive to create an environment where different perspectives and experiences are welcomed and valued. We expect leaders who create and nurture equity in the workplace, who celebrate a supportive culture of diversity and belonging.

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application. To further support diverse and inclusive workplaces, we also welcome people who identify as a member of the 2SLGBTQI+ community to apply and self-identify in your cover letter or resume.

Additional Information

Please Note: This is an Order in Council appointment, for a period of five years, under Section 33 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act