Senior Advisor, Agency Oversight and Freedom of Information

Senior Advisor, Agency Oversight and Freedom of Information

Term: Permanent, Full-Time

Division/Branch: Corporate Affairs, Policy, Planning and Projects Division / Corporate Affairs, Governance and Agency Oversight Branch

Application Deadline: May 6, 2025

Pay Range: $98,530 to $123,159

Position Location: Head Office, Toronto, ON; Hybrid

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is a regulatory agency that reports to the Ministry of the Attorney General. The AGCO is responsible for regulating the alcohol, gaming, horseracing, and cannabis retail sectors in Ontario, in accordance with the principles of honesty and integrity, and in the public interest.

The Corporate Affairs, Governance, and Agency Oversight Branch is actively seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Advisor, Agency Oversight and Freedom of Information (FOI). In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for ensuring the effective application of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) while advancing key corporate initiatives and projects that strengthen oversight functions. Your contributions will be essential in promoting agency compliance, enhancing accountability, and driving continuous improvement across the organization. If you are a strategic thinker with a proven track record in oversight, compliance, and FOI, this is an excellent opportunity to make a significant impact within a dynamic and collaborative environment.

Reporting to the Manager, Agency Oversight, the successful candidate will:

• Provide strategic senior-level advice, oversight, and responses to FOI access requests and Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) appeals for all program areas across the AGCO.
• Administer, process and lead Freedom of Information (FOI) requests from a variety of sources under FIPPA and ensure all legislated requirements are met.
• Provide advice, training, directions, and recommendations regarding the interpretation and application of FIPPA, privacy principles, IPC Orders, and related policies to ensure legislated obligations are met.
• Play a key role in the decision-making process through provisioning of advice and recommendations on disclosure, with findings used to brief senior leaders and support AGCO’s position in high-profile matters.
• Drive the coordination of corporate compliance programs to meet the AGCO’s responsibilities under the Agencies and Appointments Directive, including the coordination of the Certificate of Assurance process and supporting strong internal controls and quality assurance processes to detect and address potential compliance issues or risks.
• Lead the development and implementation of oversight projects and initiatives to ensure corporate compliance requirements are met.
• Conduct oversight assessments by reviewing corporate policies, applicable regulations, and directives, identifying gaps in compliance activities, and making recommendations.
• Lead the governance function for establishing and maintaining Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with other regulators to support regulatory partnerships, including the maintenance of an MOU inventory log.
• Lead the administration of Order of Monetary Penalties (OMP)/Education, Training and Awareness (ETA) funds including the monitoring, evaluating and reporting of funds to ensure funds are spent according to legislative requirements.
• Identify and analyze access and privacy issues and develop solutions to provide advice and recommendations and respond to information sharing inquiries and FOI requests.
• Define, develop and implement policies/procedures, communication strategies, and training initiatives for oversight functions and FIPPA aligned with applicable compliance and legislative requirements.
• Make recommendations and proposals for continuous improvement to the program to shift the emphasis of the program from pure compliance toward a more strategic approach with respect to data governance and management to assure quality and optimize the value of data and information.
• Develop, nurture and manage stakeholder consultations, partnerships and relationships (including visiting delegations) with key external stakeholders and colleagues across the AGCO on key policy and program issues to fulfill FOI requests, and to carry out oversight functions, including regulatory partnerships.

Candidate should have the following qualifications:

• Post-secondary education in relevant fields such as Public Policy, Political Science, Law, Economics, Business Administration, Information Management, or equivalent senior experience with the ability to apply and interpret legislative and compliance requirements, demonstrating critical and strategic thinking.
• Thorough knowledge of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), related regulations, and best practices in the FOI industry, with the ability to interpret and apply these policies to AGCO and other provincial institutions.
• Understanding of the Agencies and Appointments Directive, its accountability framework, and mandatory requirements.
• Strong understanding of AGCO and government decision-making processes, including policy and program development principles, research tools, program design, and program evaluation techniques.
• Professional experience in program development, management, and delivery, and/or project management.
• Excellent planning, coordination, and organizational skills to manage a large caseload, including requests with political implications.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to draft clear, concise, and accurate reports, briefing documents, and presentations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to assess complex issues and develop innovative solutions.
• Proficiency in computer software packages, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Outlook, Adobe Pro, SharePoint, and various case management systems, to effectively administer FOI requests and create materials such as briefing documents, presentations, reports, and training guides.
• The successful candidate must be eligible to work in Canada and will be subject to a criminal background check.

The AGCO is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer.

The AGCO has the responsibility to lead by example in advancing racial equity and to build a diverse, inclusive, accessible and respectful workplace where every employee has a voice and the opportunity to fully contribute. To this effect, you are encouraged to reflect upon the diversity you would bring to the role within your application including, but not limited to, individuals identifying with one or more of the under-represented groups identified within Ontario’s Human Rights Code.

Disability related accommodation during the recruitment process is available upon request.

• 90 Sheppard Ave E, North York, ON M2N 3A1, Canada