Information & Privacy Advisor

at  University of Alberta

Department University of Alberta - Information & Privacy Office
Posted date January 24, 2025
Closing date February 9, 2025
Position Type Full Time

DESCRIPTION

This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.
In accordance with the Handbook of Employment for Management and Professional Staff (Excluded), this position has a comprehensive benefits package and an annual salary which will be commensurate with qualifications.
Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

POSITION SUMMARY

The University of Alberta is seeking a detail-oriented, experienced Information and Privacy Advisor to join the Information and Privacy Office. This position is integral in ensuring university-wide compliance with access and privacy legislation, including the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP Act) and the Health Information Act (HIA) or any successor legislation.
As a key advisor, you will support the University’s efforts to safeguard personal information, coordinate and prepare responses to formal access requests (also called freedom of Information requests), manage privacy risks, and ensure compliance with legislative requirements. This role provides an excellent opportunity to shape privacy-related strategies within a collaborative and innovative academic environment. The Advisor plays a critical role in shaping privacy-related strategies that intersect with broader institutional initiatives, policies, operational planning, and confidential labour relations matters

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: A university degree in a related field is required (a degree In Law or in Library & Information Studies is preferred; examples of other degrees or designations in a related field include Public Administration, Humanities or Social Sciences, or Business).
• Formal qualifications in the access and privacy field preferred, such as:
• Information Access and Protection of Privacy (IAPP) graduate certificate from the University of Alberta, or
• Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/C) designation from the International Association of Privacy Professionals.
• Equivalent qualifications may be considered.
• Experience:
• Minimum of 3 years of direct, proven experience in the field of access and privacy, including processing access to information requests.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with applying legislation, especially the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act legislation and Office of the Information & Privacy Commissioner’s orders and guidelines.
• Skills:
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Excellent written communication and document analysis skills.
• Proven diplomacy, negotiation, and risk assessment capabilities.
• Proficiency in adapting to changing technology and operational environments.
• Knowledge of the complex, decentralized governance and administrative structure of a university is an asset.
  At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.
  We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.
  The University of Alberta is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women; First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons; members of visible minority groups; persons with disabilities; persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.
  Note: This opportunity will be available until midnight February 9, 2025, Edmonton, Alberta local time

1. Respond to Formal Access Requests

• Coordinate and prepare responses to formal freedom of information requests under the FOIP Act.
• Liaise with FOIP Liaison Officers to gather and review records.
• Clarify and manage the scope of access requests and redact records for release in accordance with the FOIP Act.

1. Advisory Services

• Provide expert advice to University faculties and units on access and privacy compliance, forms and procedures
• Interpret legislation, develop privacy solutions, and review procedures for the collection of personal information.

1. Policy Development and Communication

• Collaborate with the Director to draft standards, guidelines, and procedures for access and privacy compliance.
• Communicates University access and privacy policies, procedures, standards and guidelines to the campus and its communities through a variety of media and formats.

1. Stakeholder Engagement

• Build networks within the University and externally with the broader community, including the provincial Office of the Information & Privacy Commissioner, in order to facilitate the University’s compliance with access and privacy legislation.
• Attends the Post-Secondary FOIP Coordinators Network and liaises with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta at the direction of the Director of the Information & Privacy Office.
• Provide support for consultations on FOIP requests involving other public bodies.

1. Privacy Investigations and Reviews

• Investigates reports or allegations of potential breaches of privacy, and prepares reports and remedial action plans where necessary.
• In collaboration with the Office of the Chief Information Security Officer, conducts and reviews privacy and security reviews.
• Review surveys, research projects, and third-party contracts for compliance with privacy obligations.

1. Records and Information Management

• In collaboration with the Records and Information Management Analyst provides advisory services to University of Alberta faculties and units in order to facilitate the University’s compliance with its records and information management policies, procedures, best practices, to support compliance with provincial access and privacy legislation.