Here's a limited time offer to apply to be the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Review Officer for Nova Scotia:

CareerBeacon.com: Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Review Officer (Halifax):

Published Date: 2006-03-24

Ad #: PSC–FOIPOP–SR20-CB

Competition #: PSC–FOIPOP–SR20-CB

The Review Officer is appointed by the Governor in Council, in accordance with Section 33 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, for a term of between five to seven years. The Review Officer is responsible for managing and directing the day-day activities of the Review Office, which is an independent body, to ensure a high quality of investigative recommendations made in Accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Municipal Government Act and Regulations. The incumbent will provide policy advice, case consultation, strategic and operational leadership, and will direct the development of systemic activities and research agendas respecting government policies and legislation affecting access and privacy issues. The incumbent will provide professional and consultative services to and on behalf of the public with respect to the public's right of access to information held by government departments, agencies, boards, commissions and municipalities.

As an ideal candidate, you hold an Undergraduate or Graduate Degree (business, information management or administrative law or related discipline); or equivalent experience and education, you also have experience in progressively more responsible leadership and management roles. This position requires an individual with knowledge and an understanding of the principles relating to fair information and handling practices, administrative fairness, openness, accountability and government policies and procedures. You must have an ability to read, comprehend, interpret and apply legislation. You will also bring to this position comprehensive knowledge of the Nova Scotia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Municipal government Act and Regulations. Direct experience in the access and privacy field would be considered an asset, as would training and/or experience in mediation or alternate dispute resolution.

The closing date for this competition is April 8, 2006. Please forward your resume and a letter of introduction, in confidence, to:

Executive Recruitment, Strategic Support Services, NS Public Service Commission, One Government Place, 1700 Granville Street, PO Box 943, Halifax, NS B3J 2V9 Fax: (902) 424-0631 Email: PSC-Job-Apps@gov.ns.ca

One provincial politician doesn't like the job description because he thinks it is meant to attract a career bureaucrat:

The ChronicleHerald.ca:

"MLA criticizes criteria to pick FOI watchdog

By AMY SMITH Provincial Reporter

Graham Steele fears the province is looking for a different type of information watchdog this time around.

The New Democrat MLA said the ad for the next Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy review officer, the person who deals with appeals for information held by the provincial government, school boards and hospitals, is geared toward bureaucrats.

The job description says the ideal candidate holds an undergraduate or graduate degree in business, information management, administrative law or related discipline or has equivalent experience and education.

Darce Fardy, the man who retired in January after 11 years as the province’s review officer, was a former CBC journalist.

Mr. Steele said under the current description, he doubts Mr. Fardy would fit the job specifications.

"And Darce was not just a good review officer, he was brilliant. I think he was superb and we were very, very fortunate to have him," the Halifax Fairview MLA said Monday. "It just takes me aback to see a job description that this brilliant review officer probably wouldn’t qualify for." ...

"I’d hate to see somebody promoted into that position who’d spent their life inside the bureaucracy," he said.

Colleen Gareau, spokeswoman for the Public Service Commission, said the province consulted Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy offices across the country to come up with the job description....

Labels: information breaches, public sector