Privacy Specialist Program Admin Officer 4

Competition # : 43335

Department: Service Nova Scotia

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 05-Jul-24 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

Information Access and Privacy (IAP) Services 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 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

As a member of the Privacy Program Team, you will provide specialized and operational support and expert advice on all things relating to privacy to support government programs and initiatives at both a departmental and corporate level to meet legislated privacy obligations.

Primary Accountabilities

As a Privacy Specialist you will:

• Advance the implementation of the government privacy framework and program and operationalize privacy legislation and privacy policy by acting as a subject matter expert to various projects and programs.
• Ensure that privacy is included by design in any corporate or departmental initiative by working with client departments, program owners, project teams and other critical partners.
• Complete Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) by writing, reviewing, and recommending for approval PIAs of both corporate and departmental scope. Ensuring documents are fully completed, signed and the implementation of risk mitigations is complete.
• Research and develop privacy standards, guidelines and processes and work with client departments and other members of the IAP Team on the implementation of that material.
• Support client departments in managing privacy breaches or investigating privacy complaints.
• Provide a privacy lens on the development of research agreements, information sharing agreements, procurement material and contracts.
• Deliver training on privacy obligations, principles, and best practices.

Qualifications and Experience

A bachelor's degree in a related field and 6 years related experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

A designation relating to privacy professional will be considered an asset. Candidates should be willing to complete relevant privacy certification.

This position aligns well with candidates who have the following skills and work experience:

• Advanced knowledge of privacy principles and current privacy trends as well as knowledge of privacy impact assessment (PIA) methodology, tools, and techniques to support privacy-by-design.
• Demonstrate analytical and critical thinking skills that enable you to develop practical options or recommendations to address complex issues to ensure that privacy is included by design as an enabler to achieve the objectives of the project, program, or initiative.
• Knowledge of information technology concepts and processes that impact the protection of personal information such as cloud computing, AI, or digital services.
• Able to interpret provincial legislation such as the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Personal Information International Disclosure Protection Act, Privacy Review Officer Act, as well as other relevant legislation at both the provincial, federal, or international levels.
• Demonstrate excellent people skills, with an ability to achieve consensus as well as communicate to challenge the status quo.
• Work independently and as a member of a team and appreciate the need for differing views and opinions.
• Able to research, analyze and synthesize information. Create comprehensive PIAs, reports, procedures, guidelines, briefing materials, and presentations and propose responses on privacy issues.
• Consultation and negotiation skills that you will use to gain support for privacy program initiatives that will advance the program's privacy framework.
• Build effective relationships with client departments and other partners.
• Meet timelines and demonstrate excellent time management skills.
• A high level of diplomacy, sensitivity, and confidentiality is required for this position.

We will assess the above qualifications using one or more of the following tools: interview(s), oral presentation, written assessment, and reference checks.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a 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:

Working Conditions

A considerable amount of reading, writing and concentration are required for this work along with a considerable requirement for accuracy and attention to detail balancing many competing priorities and changing timelines.

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.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules.

Pay Grade: PR 17

Salary Range: $3,107.16 - $3,649.33 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.

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:

Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not.