Senate Ethics Officer

at  Office of the Senate Ethics Officer

Portfolio:
Parliament
Organization:
Office of the Senate Ethics Officer
Position title:
Senate Ethics Officer
Type:
Part-time
Location:
Ottawa, Ontario
Application Review Date:
August 20, 2024
Opportunity number:
J0524-0884
Salary range: Under review
The Senate of Canada is the Upper House of Parliament, and is composed of 105 members. The Office of the Senate Ethics Officer was established in 2005 under the Parliament of Canada Act. The Senate Ethics Officer is an independent Officer of the Senate and is mandated to administer, interpret and apply the Conflict of Interest Code for Senators, adopted by the Senate in May 2005.
A major responsibility of the Office is to advise Senators on how to meet their obligations under the Code.

The duties and functions of the Senate Ethics Officer are set out under the Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code for Senators, which was adopted for three purposes:

• to maintain and enhance public confidence and trust in the integrity of Senators and the Senate;
• to provide for greater certainty and guidance for Senators when dealing with issues that may present foreseeable real or apparent conflicts of interest; and
• to establish clear standards and a transparent system by which questions relating to proper conduct may be addressed by an independent, non-partisan adviser.

Pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, the Senate Ethics Officer carries out his/her duties and responsibilities under the general direction of the Standing Committee on Conflict of Interest for Senators. The Parliament of Canada Act also requires that the Senate Ethics Officer submit an annual report of their activities to the Speaker of the Senate, who must table the report in the Senate.
The Senate Ethics Officer holds office for a term of seven years and may be reappointed for one or more terms of up to seven years each.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• A degree from a recognized university or a combination of equivalent education, job-related training and experience;
• Significant management experience at a senior level, including managing human and financial resources;
• Demonstrated decision-making experience with respect to sensitive issues; and
• Experience in the interpretation and application of legislation and rules.
  If you move on to the next stage of the selection process, the following criteria will be assessed:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of the mandate and activities of the Office of the Senate Ethics Officer, of the Parliament of Canada Act, and the Conflict of Interest Code for Senators;
• Knowledge of the role and responsibilities of the Senate Ethics Officer, and his/her relationship to Senators;
• Knowledge of current issues in the area of ethics and how these issues could impact the administration of the Conflict of Interest Code for Senators;
• Knowledge of the federal government and parliamentary priorities and how they relate to the Office of the Senate Ethics Officer;
• Ability to develop and provide advice and guidance on complex and often contentious issues;
• Ability to independently and fairly examine and analyze situations, reach decisions and make recommendations while anticipating their short- and long-term consequences;
• Ability to ensure advice, decisions and recommendations to safeguard and promote the highest ethical principles and behaviours;
• Ability to develop and maintain efficient working relationships with Senators, provincial and territorial Ethics Offices across the country, the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, and the ethics and conflict of interest community; and
• Superior communication skills, both written and oral.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Proficiency in both official languages (as set out in the Language Skills Act).

If you move on to the next stage of the selection process, we will contact your references to confirm that you meet the above selection criteria and that you possess the following Personal Attributes:

• Discretion and high ethical standards
• Superior interpersonal skills
• Objectivity, impartiality and fairness
• Integrity

• to maintain and enhance public confidence and trust in the integrity of Senators and the Senate;
• to provide for greater certainty and guidance for Senators when dealing with issues that may present foreseeable real or apparent conflicts of interest; and
• to establish clear standards and a transparent system by which questions relating to proper conduct may be addressed by an independent, non-partisan adviser