Notice of Vacancy

The following notice was published in the Canada Gazette on January 19, 2008

Notice of Vacancy

Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying

Commissioner of Lobbying (full-time position)

Salary Range: $154,500 — $181,800
Location: National Capital Region

The Lobbying Act, as amended by the Federal Accountability Act, establishes the position of the Commissioner of Lobbying. The Commissioner will oversee the enforcement of the Lobbying Act and ensure that all aspects of the lobbyists registration regime are adhered to, by establishing and maintaining a registry of lobbyists, a publicly accessible on-line database of information on all registered lobbyists and their activities. The Commissioner will also be responsible for determining when there are grounds to investigate an alleged breach of the Lobbying Act or of the Lobbyists' Code of Conduct, and for initiating investigations in the same manner and to the same extent as a superior court of appeal and advising a Peace Officer when there are reasonable grounds for believing that a contravention of the Lobbying Act has occurred. The Commissioner will review and decide exemptions related to the five-year post-employment prohibition on ministers, ministerial staffers, transition team members and senior public servants from registering and lobbying the Government of Canada. The Commissioner will also approve policy rulings and the issuance of interpretation bulletins on contentious areas of the Lobbying Act to facilitate and promote compliance. Directing the education and outreach functions of the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying are also responsibilities of the Commissioner, who will report to Parliament on the findings and conclusions of any investigation conducted and reports annually on the exercise of the powers, duties and functions conferred on him or herself by the Lobbying Act.

The successful candidate must possess a degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study such as law, ethics or public administration, or a combination of equivalent education, training and/or experience. The qualified candidate must have significant management experience, at the senior executive level, in a private or public sector organization. Experience in an oversight function with decision-making authority having an impact or influence over other organizations is required. The selected candidate must have comprehensive experience in managing investigation activities. Experience in representing an organization, communicating and consulting at a senior level with a broad range of private sector and public sector stakeholders, policy and decision makers, as well as the media is essential.

The qualified candidate must have knowledge of the Lobbying Act, in particular the mandate, role and responsibilities of the Commissioner and an understanding of the lobbyists registration regime. The preferred candidate must have knowledge of the Canadian parliamentary system, the work of parliamentary committees, the role of an agent of Parliament and its relationship with Parliament and the Government. Knowledge of the legislative and policy frameworks governing ethics and transparency in the federal government, including the Conflict of Interest Act, the Privacy Act, the Access to Information Act, and the various values and ethics codes for federal public office holders is necessary. The chosen candidate will have knowledge of the procedures and practices involved in conducting an investigation and the legal principles involved, particularly as they relate to evidence, legal interpretation and natural justice. The preferred candidate must also have a knowledge of the practices, principles and policies underlying interactions between federal government institutions and the private sector, including government consultation methods, government contracting rules and private sector lobbying techniques. Knowledge of lobbying laws in other jurisdictions would be an asset.

The qualified candidate must have the ability to lead and manage a public sector organization and to define its strategies and objectives. The selected candidate must possess the ability to interpret the provisions of various statutes, regulations, policies and other enabling frameworks, and to assess the relevance of precedents in order to render Interpretation Bulletins and Advisory Opinions. The ability to analyze differing opinions and complex situations with a view to taking sound decisions that are reasonable and fair is essential. The successful candidate must have the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. The favoured candidate will possess personal and professional integrity, as well as good interpersonal skills and discretion. Impartiality, sound judgment, strong ethical standards and tact are also required.

Proficiency in both official languages is preferred.

The successful candidate must be prepared to live in the National Capital Region or at a location within reasonable commuting distance and be prepared to travel in Canada, as well internationally on occasion. The qualified candidate must not hold any other office or employment in the public sector or carry on any activity inconsistent with the powers and duties of the position.

The government is committed to ensuring that its appointments are representative of Canada's regions and official languages, as well as of women, Aboriginal peoples, disabled persons and visible minorities.

The preferred candidate must comply with the Ethical Guidelines for Public Office Holders and Guidelines for the Political Activities of Public Office Holders. The guidelines are available on the Governor in Council Appointments Website, under Publications.

The selected candidate will be subject to the Conflict of Interest Act. Public office holders appointed on a full-time basis must submit to the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, within 60 days of appointment, a Confidential Report in which they disclose all of their assets, liabilities and outside activities. For more information please visit the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's website.

This notice has been placed in the Canada Gazette to assist the Governor in Council in identifying qualified candidates for this position. It is not, however, intended to be the sole means of recruitment. Applications forwarded through the Internet will not be considered for reasons of confidentiality.

Additional details about the lobbyists registration system can be found on the Web site of the Office of the Registrar of lobbyists.

Interested candidates should forward their curriculum vitae by February 4, 2008, to the Acting Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Senior Personnel and Special Projects), Privy Council Office, 59 Sparks Street, 1st Floor, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A3, 613-957-5006 (facsimile).

Bilingual notices of vacancies will be produced in alternative format (audio cassette, diskette, braille, large print, etc.) upon request. For further information, please contact Canadian Government Publishing, Public Works and Government Services Canada, Ottawa, Canada K1A 0S5, 613-941-5995 or 1-800-635-7943.

Selection Criteria