Legal and Privacy Counsel

About OICR

OICR is Ontario’s cancer research institute. We bring together people from across the province and around the world to improve the lives of everyone affected by cancer. We take on the biggest challenges in cancer research and deliver real-world solutions to find cancer earlier and treat it more effectively. We are committed to helping people living with cancer, as well as future generations, live longer and healthier lives.

Launched in December 2005, OICR is an independent institute funded by the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security.

Position Details

Position:          Legal and Privacy Counsel

Location:         MaRS Centre, Toronto

Department:    Legal

Reports To:     General Counsel and Privacy Officer

Hiring Range:  $111,000 to $130,000 per annum commensurate with level of experience; total compensation includes a competitive benefits plan, plus a defined benefit pension plan (HOOPP)  

Hours:             35 hours/week

Job Type:        Hybrid

Status:             Full-time, Permanent

Position Summary

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) is seeking to fill an existing vacancy for a Legal and Privacy Counsel team member.  Reporting to the General Counsel and Privacy Officer, the Legal and Privacy Counsel will be responsible for providing legal and privacy advice on matters across the Institute. The Legal and Privacy Counsel will work with key stakeholders both internal and external to OICR and carry out activities to help ensure OICR’s legal and privacy risks are mitigated and to maintain and enhance its reputation as a global leader in cancer research.

Position Responsibilities

Legal

• Negotiates and drafts a wide variety of legal agreements including: confidentiality agreements, material transfer, data sharing, collaboration agreements, third party service agreements, intellectual property transfer, etc.
• Works alongside OICR’s internal business units, advising and training on legal and business risk and liabilities associated with contracts and other initiatives with a view to mitigating potential risks and to advance institutional business objectives
• Serves as the legal lead on all matters related to Institute initiatives including OICR’s Ontario Hereditary Cancer Research Network (OHCRN), a registry and database created to identify all Ontario hereditary cancer syndrome carriers
• Provides exceptional contractual advice throughout the lifecycle of the project by meeting of exceeding contract turnaround targets and developing strong relationships with key stakeholders through effective communication and providing timely and accurate advice
• Develops a strong understanding of the business of OICR in order to function as a business partner that can advance organizational strategy and achieve goals
• Anticipates and researches legal and regulatory issues that may impact OICR and assist in the development of practical strategies to address these issues
• Prepares legal memoranda, presentations, reports and other key documents, and remains current on legislative developments and emerging legal issues
• As requested, provides timely and accurate preparation and drafting of legal correspondence, contract summaries and related documents required for compliance and OICR decision-making
• Develops and supports drafting and supporting of institutional policies, procedures and guidelines including those related to genomic information and artificial intelligence

Privacy

• In consultation with the Privacy Officer, provides legal advice on privacy-related matters
• Ensures OICR’s organizational compliance with relevant privacy legislation, including the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 as well as compliance with organizational policies and procedures
• Identifies and implements privacy best practices in furtherance of OICR’s privacy program
• Responsible for the continuous development and sustainment of a comprehensive and legally compliant privacy program across the Institute
• Responsible for developing and promoting privacy practices and standards and for drafting policies and procedures promoting privacy, transparency and accountability
• Responsible for conducting privacy audits of OICR program and conducting privacy impact assessments, with a view to making recommendations for and supporting remediation of identified privacy issues
• Leads privacy training and orientation to OICR employees for OICR employees where required
• Leads and/or provides support for privacy breach response as needed
• Liaises with regulators as needed
  

Position Requirements

• A law degree and licensing by the Law Society of Upper Canada with related experience, or recognized equivalent
• Advanced practical and related experience drafting, interpreting and negotiating; agreements including confidentiality agreements, material transfer, data sharing, collaboration agreements, third party services agreements, etc.
• Capacity to draft high quality legal documents with attention to detail and the ability to understand the big picture
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive matters with discretion and tact
• Superior analytical and interpersonal communication skills (both written and verbal) including the ability to effectively communicate complex requirements to a variety of stakeholders and ensure that risks are appropriately mitigated or assumed
• Strong foundation in corporate/commercial, privacy, health, intellectual property, and not-for-profit and/or charity law
• Ability to manage and prioritize many projects simultaneously and work in a fast-paced team environment, as well as independently (follow instructions with minimal supervision and take initiative)
• Familiarity with and/or experience in contracts in an academic research or healthcare setting
• Experience resolving complex, multi-faceted problems
• Ability to apply strategic thinking with the ability to balance legal risk with practical, business-oriented solutions
• Collaborative and relationship-focused approach, able to work effectively across all levels of the organization
  

For more information about OICR, please visit the website at www.oicr.on.ca.

To learn more about working at OICR, visit our career page.

CLOSING DATE:       UNTIL FILLED

OICR is committed to fostering a climate of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. This commitment is central to, and mutually supportive of, our research excellence mandate. We welcome and respect the diversity of all members of our community and we support an inclusive culture for all. We welcome all applicants, and encourage applications from racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S persons, and others who may contribute to furthering a diversity of ideas within our community. OICR is committed to fair assessment of a candidate’s abilities, and consideration for diversity of thought, method, and experience. Providing an accessible workplace and recruitment process is important to us, as described in our Accessibility Plan (https://oicr.on.ca/accessibility/).  Should you require accommodation during any stage in the recruitment process, please complete the form at the bottom of page https://oicr.on.ca/careers/. Information received related to accommodation will be handled confidentially.  

OICR hiring managers may use approved Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to assist with an initial screening or assessment of applications, and selection of applicants in accordance with OICR’s privacy policies.  Personal information associated with any job application will not be shared with or retained by any third party for the purpose of training an AI model.  Hiring managers shall determine which applications proceed through the recruitment process.

Resume Format: If you elect to apply, please click on the “Apply for this Job” button.  You will be required to enter contact details, and to attach your resume to your application. Please attach your resume as a .pdf or .doc file.

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research thanks all applicants. However, only those under consideration will be contacted.