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

Salary: 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 / On-site

Status: Full-time, Permanent

Position Summary

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) is seeking a Legal and Privacy Counsel team member. Reporting to the General Counsel, the Legal and Privacy Counsel will be responsible for legal and privacy matters across the Institute and will be the prime on all agreements related to OICR's new Ontario Hereditary Cancer Research Network (OHCRN), a registry and database created to identify all Ontario hereditary cancer syndrome (HCS) carriers. The Legal and Privacy Counsel will draft and negotiate a host of agreements related to clinical genetics, data sharing and research services. 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.

Position Responsibilities

Legal

• Negotiate and draft a wide variety of legal agreements including: confidentiality agreements, material transfer agreements, data sharing agreements, collaboration agreements, third party services agreements, etc.
• Advise on legal matters to advance institutional business objectives with a view to mitigating potential risks
• Serve as the lead for all agreements related to OHCRN and work with OHCRN's Senior Program Manager and Clinical Program Manager to ensure legal matters are addressed
• Work alongside internal business units, advise and train on legal and business risk and liabilities associated with contracts and other initiatives
• Provide exceptional contractual advice throughout the lifecycle of the project by meeting or exceeding contract turnaround targets and developing strong relationships with key stakeholders through effective communication and providing timely and accurate advice
• Develop a strong understanding of the business of OICR in order to function as a business partner that can advance organizational strategy and achieve goals
• Anticipate and research legal and regulatory issues that may impact OICR and assist in the development of practical strategies to address these issues
• Initiate, research and prepare legal presentations, reports and other key documents
• As requested, provide timely and accurate preparation and drafting of legal correspondence, contract summaries and related documents required for compliance and OICR decision-making
• Develops and support drafting and supporting of policies, procedures and guidelines

Privacy

• Ensure OICR's organizational compliance with relevant privacy legislation, specifically Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 as well as compliance with organizational policies and procedures
• Identify and implement 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
• Responsible for developing and promoting privacy practices and standards and for drafting policies and procedures
• Responsible for conducting privacy audits of OICR programs and conducting privacy impact assessments, with a view to making recommendations for and supporting remediation of identified privacy issues
• Lead privacy training for OICR employees where required

Position Requirements

• A law degree and licensing by the Law Society of Upper Canada, 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
• Knowledge and understanding of 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

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.

POSTED DATE: March 28, 2025

CLOSING DATE: April 3, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.

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.

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.