Competition # : 45986
Department: Service Nova Scotia
Location: HALIFAX
Type of Employment: Permanent
Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG
Closing Date: 23-May-25 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

At Service Nova Scotia, we impact every citizen, business and municipality in Nova Scotia. Our mandate is to design and deliver programs and services to meet the needs of our clients and the public good through a culture of excellence. Service Nova Scotia's vision is to be a recognized leader in service and public protection that delivers trusted, accessible, modern programs, and contributes to Nova Scotia as a safe and desirable place to live, work and do business. To learn more about our Department, please click here: Department of Service Nova Scotia - Government of Nova Scotia

The Information Access and Privacy (IAP) Services team is an integrated unit that provides access and privacy services to government departments. Our vision is "a trusted voice to drive access by default and privacy by design." We promote a culture where the public is informed, privacy is protected, and government is accountable. Our team provides expert advice and professional guidance, in this role specifically on access to information and privacy matters. We promote corporate accountability through leadership, expertise and advice on legislation, policy, standards and best practices regarding information access and privacy to our clients.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Executive Director Corporate and IAP Services, the Director, Information Access and Privacy (IAP), is responsible for the strategic oversight and delivery of a comprehensive, cross-departmental Access to Information and Privacy Program for government. This role provides specialized expertise, guidance, and risk-based analysis related to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP) Act, the Personal Information International Disclosure Protection Act (PIIDPA), the Privacy Review Officer (PRO) Act, and other relevant legislation. The Director leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of access and privacy initiatives to ensure compliance and alignment with legislative, regulatory, and policy frameworks.

Primary Accountabilities

• Leads the design, implementation, administration, operationalization and modernization of government-wide access to information and privacy programs.
• Provides strategic leadership in addressing sensitive and complex issues, including responses to privacy breaches, releases of information through FOIPOP requests and proactive disclosures, and responses to recommendations from the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC).
• Drives the development of access and privacy programs within a complex legal and policy environment. This includes designing and delivering corporate training programs on access and privacy and reviewing and providing expert advice on proposed legislation that affects the collection, use, and disclosure of government-held information.
• Directs the implementation of access and privacy initiatives and makes strategic decisions on resource allocation in a rapidly evolving legal and policy landscape. Leads annual priority-setting for short- and long-term initiatives and ensures timely execution of projects.
• Fosters a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility across departments, agencies, and jurisdictions. Builds effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including advising senior officials and management on access and privacy matters.
• Cultivates strategic partnerships at provincial, federal, and municipal levels to support collaborative privacy and access initiatives.
• Oversees the planning and management of human and financial resources within the unit. This includes setting clear performance expectations, promoting a respectful, inclusive, and healthy work environment, supporting staff development, and ensuring adherence to corporate HR practices.

Qualifications and Experience

To be considered for this opportunity, you hold a bachelor's degree in addition to substantial progressive leadership roles in a policy and legislation-driven environment, particularly in the field of access and privacy. You are an excellent relationship builder, a progressive leader, and an innovative self-starter. As a skilled communicator, you possess excellent written and verbal communication skills allowing you to communicate effectively with a broad range of stakeholders, including Senior Officials, the Privacy Commissioner and OIPC staff, the media, legal counsel, and the Executive Council. Your broad privacy-related expertise will allow you to provide sound advice to Senior Executive Leadership.

Your advanced knowledge of access and privacy principles, trends, and legislation will allow you to positively influence departmental activities and government priorities. In addition, you are a highly organized individual who is focused on continuously improving quality, transparency, and accountability and you have a solution-focused approach. You are responsive and able to prioritize your work to ensure departmental strategic goals are met.

You have demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills which allow you to develop practical recommendations and to make sound decisions in a regulatory environment that is continuously evolving and dynamic. The decisions you will make will be broad in scope and depth. The ability to evaluate complex issues is also an essential skill for this role. Further, you have in-depth knowledge of technology concepts and processes that impact government's use of information.

Your in-depth knowledge of relevant legislation will allow you to provide specialized expertise, guidance, and risk-based analysis related to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP) Act, the Personal Information International Disclosure Protection Act (PIIDPA), the Privacy Review Officer (PRO) Act, and other relevant legislation. You apply this knowledge to a complex and broadly connected regulatory environment and will work to contribute to the overall strength of the government's access and privacy framework. Your leadership role will have an important role in ensuring public and stakeholder confidence in the ability of the government to responsibly manage information, while maintaining the appropriate balance of confidentiality and the protection of privacy.

You demonstrate excellent leadership capabilities, while respecting corporate human resources practices, managing budgets, promoting diversity and inclusion, promoting teamwork and individual development, and maintaining internal communication.

A master's or professional degree would be viewed as an asset.

LEADS

The Government of Nova Scotia has adopted the LEADS Leadership Framework. During the interview, candidates will be expected to express how they have demonstrated the key behaviors and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. LEADS Domains includes Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions and Systems Transformation. Please follow LEADS (novascotia.ca) for more information.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short- and Long-Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

• The majority of your work is completed in a comfortable office setting in Halifax.
• You will have daily contact with various internal and external stakeholders.
• The scope of this role requires strong leadership abilities as well as excellent organizational skills.

Additional Information

This is a permanent position based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• A dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.

Pay Grade: EC 14
Salary Range: $4,550.68 - $5,688.35 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement:

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. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please let us know.

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to [email protected].