Analyst, Access and Privacy - City of Ottawa, Ottawa

About the Role

The City of Ottawa is seeking an Analyst, Access and Privacy to join the Policy and Business Operations Branch within the Office of the City Clerk. This vital role contributes to the City's commitment to transparency and the protection of personal information, making it a key administration job in Ottawa. As a subject matter expert, you will be instrumental in applying and interpreting legislation related to access to information and privacy protection across the City of Ottawa.

You will serve as the City's primary expert on matters concerning access to information and the protection of privacy, with a particular focus on the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) and the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), along with comparable legislation from other Canadian jurisdictions. This position is crucial for maintaining compliance and fostering a culture of privacy protection within the City of Ottawa, impacting various City of Ottawa careers.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the City's subject matter expert on access to information and protection of privacy, including the application of MFIPPA, PHIPA, or comparable legislation.
• Process formal access to information requests submitted under MFIPPA and PHIPA.
• Promote the routine disclosure of information and complete privacy impact assessments.
• Investigate privacy breaches and actively promote a culture of privacy protection.
• Request and review Corporate Records, which may include highly confidential, sensitive, and/or political information such as solicitor-client privilege, law enforcement matters, technical, commercial, and financial data, and personal information.
• 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 City processes and policies.
• Serve as the primary liaison between external parties, internal departments, and the IPC.

Qualifications and Experience

To excel in this Analyst, Access and Privacy role, candidates should possess a strong educational background combined with relevant professional experience in information and privacy legislation.

• Completion of a 3-year degree in Law, Information Management, Political Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of related experience with freedom of information and privacy legislation, preferably within a large municipal setting.
• Prior legal or paralegal experience is considered an asset.

Knowledge and Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and a robust ability to navigate complex legislative frameworks and interpersonal dynamics within a large organization like the City of Ottawa.

• Thorough 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.
• 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.