Director of Adjudication

The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario is responsible for the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA).

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to join our team as the Director of Adjudication. In this role, you will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction to our Adjudication Department within the Tribunal and Dispute Resolution Division (TDRD). As the Director, you will play a critical role in ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality resolution of appeals and complaints filed under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004, and Part X of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (collectively, the “Acts”). You will be responsible for the overall management of a team of Adjudicators and Adjudication Review Officers (AROs), overseeing the case management processes.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in dispute resolution, excellent leadership skills, and a proven track record of delivering results in a complex and fast-paced environment. If you are passionate about making a difference and have the skills we are looking for, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

What can I expect to do in this role?

As a Director of Adjudication/Senior Adjudicator, you will:

Management/Leadership

• Lead the overall operations of the Department.
  
• Provide guidance to Managers in addressing management or file issues.
  
• Serve on the Tribunal Management Team and Senior Management Committee, supporting other department heads.
  
• Ensure the effective and timely processing of appeals and complaints at the Adjudication stage.
  
• Provide guidance and advice on policies, procedures, and regulations to Managers, Adjudicators, and Adjudication Review Officers.
  
• Develop and provide training and staff development for the Department.
  
• Coach and mentor new Managers, AROs, Adjudicators, and other staff.
  
• Lead the development of policies and procedures for the Department and contribute to the development of TDRD programs. Also, contribute to the development of the IPC's priorities, goals, and work plans.
  
• Implement operational initiatives.
  
• Lead the ongoing review and redesign of various components of the adjudication process, focused on improving service.

Managing Files

• Occasionally adjudicate high profile, complex, or novel files using common law, statutes, legal precedents, and policy while adhering to established timelines.
  
• Provide advice on files brought to their attention by Managers and Adjudicators, and advise on interlocutory matters using judgement and discretion.
  
• Ensure equitable distribution of work among Adjudicators and reassigning files when necessary, working with Managers.
  
• Review and screen requests for reconsideration with the Assistant Commissioner.
  
• Triage and prioritize files with Managers, and attend Tribunal File Review Committee meetings to provide updates to the Commissioner.
  
• Provide guidance to Department staff to address concerns and ensure high-quality orders and other materials produced by the Department are clear and simple.

Managing Issues and Decisions

• Develop policies and procedures for the adjudication of files, ensuring they meet the demands of all stakeholders.
  
• Arbitrate contentious matters between Managers or between Managers and Adjudicators.
  
• Provide legal analysis, advice, and direction to Managers and Adjudicators on Acts and administrative and constitutional law.
  
• Assist the IPC's Public Contacts office and oversee the system to prevent errors and maintain consistency in orders.
  
• Balance consistency in decision making and independence of Adjudicators.

Legal advice/Assistance

• Ensure conformity of department procedures to Acts and legal principles.
  
• Provide initial legal analysis and advice to Managers and Adjudicators on Acts and legal principles.
  
• Identify matters requiring legal research and incorporate advice received into departmental processing.
  
• Set goals and priorities for legal counsel providing services to the Department with the General Counsel.
  
• Review legal counsel's materials on judicial review and other court matters.
  
• Monitor case law development on administrative law and other relevant legal principles and keep other departments aware of significant developments.

How do I qualify?

You will qualify for this position by demonstrating:

1. Education and Experience

• Possess an undergraduate university degree and a LL.B. or J.D. law degree.
• A member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario, licensed to practice law in Ontario without restrictions.
• At least 10 years of demonstrated experience adjudicating files under the Acts or other similar regulatory legislation.
• At least 5 years of demonstrated experience leading/mentoring a team of high-functioning professionals in a regulatory environment to meet established service standards.


2. Knowledge Requirements

• Highly developed knowledge and expertise in the provisions of the Acts, and the ability to apply this expertise in the context of files assigned to the Department.
• Extensive knowledge of privacy, access, and open/transparent government issues, including a sound understanding of the principles underlying the Acts.
  
• A detailed understanding of administrative law, and a general knowledge of constitutional law and its application to the IPC, in order to effectively and properly exercise delegated decision-making responsibilities, and to ensure the legal quality of decisions made by Adjudicators in the Department.
• Comprehensive knowledge of workforce planning and practices.
• Solid understanding of the operation of the institutions that operate under the Acts in order to make decisions and apply policy.


3. Skills and Abilities

• Highly developed decision writing skills, and the ability to apply this knowledge in the context of resolving matters being adjudicated, and to ensure the quality of decisions made by other members of the Department.
• Ability to achieve results in a changing environment and motivate/support staff as they navigate new and established processes.
• Ability to risk manage and identify areas requiring other senior management or legal input.
• Well-developed oral and written communication, advocacy, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.

Asset Qualifications

• Communicate (orally and in writing) in French.
  
• Experience working with case management systems using SharePoint and Microsoft Dynamics 365.

What's in it for you?

• A modern organization with a flexible hybrid work model with in-office attendance at a minimum of 6-10 days per month.
  
• Commitment to continuous learning and developmental opportunities for all its employees.
  
• An innovative and high performing organization committed to creating a positive organizational culture and highly dedicated to its mission of advancing the privacy and access rights of Ontarians.
  
• A defined benefit pension plan, Comprehensive Health Plan, and Life and Disability Insurance.
  
• Maternity and parental leave top-up benefits.

Commitment to diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism:

We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and promoting a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

We also believe in the importance of providing services to Ontarians in both official languages, and encourage interested bilingual candidates to apply particularly for public facing positions.

Notes:

• OPS and IPC Reciprocal Staffing Agreement:
  • The IPC has a Reciprocal Staffing Agreement with the Ontario Public Service (OPS) that enables OPS employees to apply to positions with the IPC.
  
  
  
• Qualified List Information:
  
  
  • A list of qualified candidates will be established for the Director of Adjudication position in the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) and will be in effect for twelve (12) months from the date the list is created. Qualified candidates on the list may be considered when filling future permanent and/or temporary vacancies in this position.