Investigators-Ombudsman Act, Access & Privacy and/or Public Interest Disclosure Act*Revised/Extended-Open until filled*

Introduction

The Manitoba Ombudsman is seeking professional, energetic, responsive and forward-thinking individuals to join our team across all three mandates of the Office Ombudsman, Access and Privacy, and Public Interest Disclosure.

The successful candidates will be dedicated to helping Manitobans and will be passionate about fairness, access to justice, accountability, transparency, promoting access to information, privacy, and improving the public service.

Our team members are provided with challenging and meaningful work, ongoing training and development and the opportunity to participate in a Hybrid Work Program.

Join our team and help make a difference.

The Manitoba Ombudsman is an Independent Officer of the Legislative Assembly with oversight responsibilities under The Ombudsman Act, The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), The Personal Health Information Act (PHIA), and The Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act (PIDA).

The Ombudsman resolves or investigates complaints about administrative decisions of provincial departments, agencies, boards, and commissions, municipalities, trustees and other public bodies about matters of fairness, access to information, protection of privacy, and wrongdoing.

• The Ombudsman has broad authority to investigate on her own initiative; to comment on privacy implications of proposed programs / services;
• to comment on the administration of the legislation and the policies and procedures to handle wrongdoing disclosures; to conduct audits and monitor compliance with FIPPA / PHIA;

and to report publicly on matters in the public interest. The Ombudsman provides information and educational services about the Acts and the role of the office to public bodies, and the Legislative Assembly.

Under the authority of the Ombudsman, Investigators are delegated the authority to resolve serious problems by conducting impartial investigations.

Investigators play a role in making recommendations to improve the delivery of public programs and services, and promote compliance with legislative requirements.

Conditions of Employment :

• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada
• Satisfactory Criminal Record Check, Child Abuse and Adult Abuse Registry Checks
• A valid driver’s license, access to a vehicle, and the ability to travel within Manitoba

Qualifications : Essential :

Post-secondary degree (eg. public or business administration, law, social sciences or a relevant specialized discipline) and several years of experience in a related field.

A combination of suitable education and experience may be considered.

• Experience and demonstrated skills in conducting in-depth investigations or audits such as workplace or compliance investigations, developing and / or evaluating public programs, or undertaking extensive research.
• Advanced experience interpreting and applying legislation and policy.
• Exceptional problem solving, conflict resolution and facilitation skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively on matters which are sensitive and complex in nature with parties of differing backgrounds and interests.
• Ability to represent the Office with integrity, demonstrate and promote ethical behaviour, sound judgment, fairness, accountability, and transparency.
• Strong written communication skills. Experience effectively communicating and preparing communications / briefing material and comprehensive reports, including providing recommendations on matters which are sensitive and complex in nature.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with public bodies, trustees and the public.
• Strong organizational skills including the ability to work independently while managing a workload with competing priorities, expectations and deadlines.

Desired :

• Knowledge and understanding of the role of the Ombudsman and its mandates under The Ombudsman Act, FIPPA, PHIA, and PIDA.
• Understanding of the Principles of Procedural Fairness and Natural Justice and the Principles of Fair Information Practices and the ability to demonstrate the applicability of these principles to decisions and programs of public bodies or trustees.
• Experience in the public sector, health care sector, municipal governments, non-profit sector and experience working with Indigenous communities.
• The ability to communicate in French is considered an asset.

The Manitoba Ombudsman is seeking candidates who are willing to meet office demands by working on a flexible schedule and / or travel throughout Manitoba as needed.

Duties : Reporting to the Manager of Investigations, the Investigator will be assigned to work under one of the mandates of the Office, to investigate complaints under The Ombudsman Act, The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), The Personal Health Information Act (PHIA) or The Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act (PIDA).

• Depending upon the Investigator’s assigned mandate, duties may include conducting systemic investigations into matters of broad public importance or systemic maladministration;
• reviewing, auditing, and monitoring compliance with FIPPA and PHIA by provincial governments and agencies, municipal authorities, educational institutions, and the health care sector;

or reviewing public body compliance with PIDA.

The Investigator is responsible for high quality complaint analysis, informal resolution of complaints and conducting investigations, including interviews, complex evidence analysis, legislation, policy and standards interpretation, and drafting comprehensive reports with findings and conclusions.

Where appropriate, the Investigator drafts recommendations for the Ombudsman’s consideration. The Investigator ensures confidentiality and procedural fairness within the investigative process.

The incumbent works collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team to support the early resolution of complaints, investigations under other mandates, and may undertake or participate in special projects or initiatives of the Office.

The Investigator also performs research, outreach, and public education activities to educate and enhance the public profile of the Office.