Research Contracts & Privacy Specialist

at  OICR

ABOUT OICR

OICR is Ontario’s cancer research institute. We bring together people from across the province and around the world to improve the lives of everyone affected by cancer. We take on the biggest challenges in cancer research and deliver real-world solutions to find cancer earlier and treat it more effectively. We are committed to helping people living with cancer, as well as future generations, live longer and healthier lives.
Launched in December 2005, OICR is an independent institute funded by the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) is seeking a Research Contracts & Privacy Specialist. Reporting to the General Counsel, the Research Contracts & Privacy Specialist will support legal and privacy matters and will be the prime on all agreements related to OICR’s new Ontario Hereditary Cancer Research Network (OHCRN), a registry and database created to identify all Ontario hereditary cancer syndrome (HCS) carriers. The Research Contracts & Privacy Specialist will draft and negotiate a host of agreements related to clinical genetics, data sharing and research services. The Research Contracts & Privacy Specialist will work with key stakeholders both internal and external to OICR and carry out activities to help ensure OICR’s legal and privacy risks are mitigated.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A law degree with related experience or a master’s degree or recognized equivalent
• Familiarity with drafting, interpreting and negotiating agreements including confidentiality agreements, material transfer, data sharing, collaboration agreements, third party services agreements, etc
• A capacity to draft high quality legal documents with attention to detail and the ability to understand the big picture
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive matters with discretion and tact
• Superior analytical and interpersonal communication skills (both written and verbal) including the ability to effectively communicate complex requirements to a variety of stakeholders and ensure that risks are appropriately mitigated or assumed
• Knowledge and understanding of corporate/commercial, privacy, health, intellectual property, and not-for-profit and/or charity law
• Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced team environment, as well as independently (follow instructions with minimal supervision and take initiative)
• Familiarity with and/or experience in contracts in an academic research or healthcare setting
  For more information about OICR, please visit the website at www.oicr.on.ca.
  To learn more about working at OICR, visit our career page.

Legal

• Negotiate and draft a wide variety of legal agreements including: confidentiality agreements, material transfer agreements, data sharing agreements, collaboration agreements, third party services agreements, etc
• Work alongside internal business units, advise and train on legal and business risk and liabilities associated with contracts and other initiatives
• Provide exceptional contractual support throughout the lifecycle of the project by meeting or exceeding contract turnaround targets and developing strong relationships with key stakeholders through effective communication and providing timely and accurate advice
• Develop a strong understanding of the business of OICR in order to function as a business partner that can advance organizational strategy and achieve goals
• Anticipate and research legal and regulatory issues that may impact OICR and assist in the development of practical strategies to address these issues
• Initiate, research and prepare legal presentations, reports and other key documents
• As requested, provide timely and accurate preparation and drafting of legal correspondence, contract summaries and related documents
• Develops and support drafting and supporting of policies, procedures and guidelines

Privacy

• Support OICR’s organizational compliance with relevant privacy legislation, specifically Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 as well as compliance with organizational policies and procedures
• Assist in the continuous development and sustainment of a comprehensive and legally compliant privacy program
• Assist in developing and promoting privacy practices and standards through privacy audits of OICR programs and conducting privacy impact assessments, with a view to making recommendations for and supporting remediation of identified privacy issues and
• Assist with the delivery of privacy training and orientation to OICR employees