Information & Privacy Advisor

**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.

**Working at the University of Alberta**
- The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community._

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

**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

**Key Responsibilities**

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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

**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 Sc