Legal Counsel

Data. Discovery. Better Health.

ICES is a world-leading health research and analytics institute. With a wealth of data and analytic expertise, we create trusted evidence that has changed health policy and practice and helps ensure better health for all.

Ready to discover more with us? Join our outstanding, collaborative team where your skills, knowledge and curiosity are valued and can change the future of health care.

At ICES, we recognize what matters most to our employees. Some of the great benefits of working at ICES include :

• Flexible remote work arrangements anywhere in Ontario
• Competitive Compensation
• Comprehensive Benefits Program
• HOOPP Pension Plan (Defined Pension)
• Employee Assistance Program and Dialogue Well Being Program
• Generous vacation, float and caregiver days for all employees
• Education Fund and Dedicated Education Days
• Holiday Closure
• Perkopolis Employee Discount Program

Introduction :

Reporting to the Managing Legal Counsel, Manager Legal Services, Privacy and Legal Office ("PLO"), the Legal Counsel is responsible for providing legal services and consultation to ICES on the application and interpretation of laws in Canada.

The PLO is an inter-disciplinary team of privacy, compliance, risk, and legal professionals that provide a full complement of services across the ICES Network.

Responsibilities of the position include, but may not be limited to :

• Drafting and reviewing agreements, including but not limited to data sharing agreements, license agreements, service agreements, research agreements and other assigned agreements;
• Providing legal advice in areas such as privacy, cybersecurity, risk, intellectual property and corporate law as requested from time to time;
• Providing and leading regulatory and compliance support for ICES' lawful designations set out in statutes;
• Drafting and updating policies and procedures;
• Engaging regularly and working closely and collaboratively with various departments across ICES;
• Consulting and liaising with internal and external parties to accomplish any of the above, including, ICES Employees and Scientists, data custodians, the Information & Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, privacy and security advisors;
• external legal counsel, auditors and consultants, ICES stakeholders, ICES third-party service providers, and research ethics boards;
• Conducting legal research;
• Other duties as may be assigned within the scope of this position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities required :

• Law degree;
• Licensed to practice law in Ontario;
• Recognized privacy accreditation, an asset;
• Minimum 1-3 years of legal experience;
• Advising on corporate / commercial related matters, an asset;
• Strong command of provincial privacy and access laws and best practices;
• Knowledge of federal and / or private sector privacy and access laws, an asset;
• Strong analytic, interpersonal, communication and judgment skills;
• Experience drafting data sharing agreements and / or other related agreements;
• Strong aptitude for developing working relationships with a broad range of professionals and stakeholders at multiple levels;
• Strong ability to work through challenging legal matters, being thoughtful and organized in approach;
• Strong ability to articulate complex issues to stakeholders across the organization;
• Strong ability to synthesize voluminous information, involving regulatory authorities and contractual terms into legal analyses;
• Proven ability to meet ongoing deadlines with competing demands and to work to resolve conflict;
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to prioritize workload.

This is a full-time opportunity at ICES Central. Successful candidate must reside within Ontario while working remotely and able to come into the office if required from time to time.

There may be instances where in-person meetings are requested; however, ICES continues to support Flexible remote work arrangements anywhere in Ontario.

Security clearance may be required.

Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter detailing how their knowledge, skills and abilities match the scope of this position.

ICES is committed to ensuring equity in employment. Our goal is to attract, develop, and retain highly talented employees from diverse backgrounds allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives.

ICES strongly encourages applications from candidates from equity-deserving communities including but not limited to First Nations, Métis, Inuit, Black and racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, and persons with visible and non-visible disabilities.

ICES is committed to providing accessible employment practices, in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).

Applicants are asked to make accommodation requests to ICES and we will make every effort to ensure that accommodation requests are met throughout the recruitment process.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working at ICES. Due to the volume of applications received, only applicants being considered for the position will be contacted for further discussions.