Current Opportunities

Division & Section: Finance
Work Location: 483 Bay St., Toronto (Hybrid work with 2 days in office and 3 days working from home - subject to change)
Job Type & Hours: Full-time Contract - 36.25 hours per week
Salary: $67,905 - $82,946
Union Affiliation: AMAPCEO
Open positions: 1
Posting Period: April 22, 2024 to May 6, 2024
 

About the role

The Ombudsman is an independent, impartial Officer of the Legislature that resolves and investigates complaints about Ontario government organizations, broader public sector bodies (including municipalities, universities, and school boards), child protection services, and compliance with the French Language Services Act. The Ombudsman recommends solutions to individual and systemic administrative problems, and promotes fairness, accountability, and transparency in the public sector as well as respect for French language service rights and the rights of children and youth in care.

Reporting to the Finance and Facilities Manager, the Finance Analyst will be responsible for providing financial and administrative support to the Finance Unit.

 

Responsibilities

• Review and verify invoices and payment documents against signed contracts to ensure all authorizations and policies are followed. This position provides support to the Finance Unit for staff expenses, accounts payable and accounting analysis during audit periods as required.

• Provide a detailed quarterly forecast for all departments on Other Direct Operating Expenses (ODOE) based on established templates. Review and analyze such expenditures against approved budgets, in-year and year-end financial reports, and audits. Prepare consolidated reporting and analysis of expenditure trends, variances and recommendations, and provide options to facilitate management decision-making. Prepare ad hoc and regular reports as needed.

• Assist with quarterly financial reports and public account reporting, and provide advice on financial issues related to operations to the Finance and Facilities Manager. This includes the financial review, analysis and evaluation of existing ongoing projects.

• Review and book monthly bank charges in the accounting system, including monthly bank reconciliation as needed.

• Responsible for reconciling and booking monthly credit card charges in line with financial policies, including journaling entries in the accounting system.

• Ensure strict adherence to financial policies and compliance with operational controls.

• Assist staff by answering travel policy and procedure questions, and redirecting more complex queries to the Finance and Facilities Manager.

• Inform and train administrative staff on financial policy and expense claim processes as needed.

• Maintain and update contract files for all departments, including sending monthly reminders for all upcoming contract or membership renewals.

• Review and capitalize assets in line with the office Tangible Capital Asset Policy and the Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) Handbook to ensure all criteria are met.

• Review expense claims and work with the respective departments to resolve discrepancies in line with the Office’s travel policy.

• Assist in recording and maintaining the e-filing system for the Finance Unit.

• Stay up-to-date on related skills development with regards to new technologies or processes as required.

• Perform any other related activities as required.

Knowledge and experience

• Combination of relevant post-secondary education and/or a combination of education and related on-the-job experience to interpret and apply directives and guidelines about expenditure/revenue processing within the organization.

• Licensing as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), or actively working on completion of an accredited accounting designation, would be considered an asset.

• Advanced skills with MS Excel, Office 365 and experience with accounting software Great Plains would be an asset.

• Solid knowledge of accounting principles, computerized technology systems and software applications to interpret financial information and reports, co-ordinate day-to-day processing activities for the work unit, and respond to client queries.

Required skills and competencies

• Clear and effective communication skills to liaise with suppliers, clients, and internal staff.

• Efficient time management skills to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

• Strong numerical skills for accurate calculations and financial analysis.

• Ability to work collaboratively with other team members and departments.

• Ability to work to work independently with minimal supervision.

Division & Section: Legal Unit
Work Location: 483 Bay St., Toronto (Hybrid work with 2 days in office and 3 days working from home - subject to change)
Job Type & Hours: Full-time - 36.25 hours per week
Salary: $107,343 - $161,015
Union Affiliation: Excluded
Open positions: 1
Posting Period: April 8, 2024 to May 3, 2024
 

About the role

The Ombudsman is an independent, impartial Officer of the Legislature that resolves and investigates complaints about Ontario government organizations, broader public sector bodies (including municipalities, universities and school boards), child protection services, and compliance with the French Language Services Act. The Ombudsman recommends solutions to individual and systemic administrative problems, and promotes fairness, accountability and transparency in the public sector as well as respect for French language service rights and the rights of children and youth in care.

Legal Counsel actively work across all units of the Ontario Ombudsman’s Office. Their work positively impacts Ontarians as they negotiate changes to practices, policies and legislation within the public sector. Counsel investigate serious and complex cases, prepare investigative reports, and provide legal advice and support to the Ombudsman and staff. Working within a collaborative team, Counsel carry their own caseloads. They may also work on internal policy development and contract preparation, as well as conduct staff training. Acting as representatives of the Office, Counsel participate in outreach activities such as conferences, symposia and other events that connect stakeholders to the important work we do.

Responsibilities

• Conducts extensive legal research and provides legal advice and analysis to the Ombudsman and staff members on a variety of matters with the primary focus being, administrative law, municipal law and investigative procedure.

• Keeps abreast of relevant developments in the law, including legislative and regulatory amendments.

• In complex, systemic and open meeting cases, as required, assists in developing investigative plans and conducts investigations, including interviewing witnesses;, identifying, obtaining, reviewing and analyzing relevant documentation;, working to tight timelines; and producing reports on the results of investigations.

• Works in collaboration with Senior Counsel in the conduct of investigations and production of reports.

• Represents the Office in litigation as required, including preparation of pleadings and court attendance.

• Assists in the development of organizational policies to meet legal requirements.

• Participates in outreach activities, enhancing stakeholders' understanding of the Ombudsman’s role and function.

Knowledge and experience

• Must be currently licensed by the Law Society of Ontario, with a minimum of 2-4 years of experience as legal counsel.

• Demonstrated experience in relevant areas of practice such as administrative, education, child and youth, or municipal law and experience in conducting administrative investigations considered an asset.

Required skills and competencies

• Excellent interpersonal skills, capable of handling emotionally charged situations and dealing with a diverse range of stakeholders and complainants.

• Superior research and analytical skills with an excellent ability to provide legal advice and opinions, and prepare a variety of materials including memos of law and high-quality, detailed investigative reports.

• Superior written and oral communication skills in English, with the ability to represent the office in outreach activities and prepare detailed investigative reports. Competency in French is considered an asset.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a collaborative team environment, managing multiple projects and priorities within established timelines.

Legal Counsel actively work across all units of the Ombudsman Office. They positively impact Ontarians by negotiating changes to practices, policies and legislation within the public sector. Counsel investigate serious and complex cases, prepare investigative reports, and provide legal advice and support to the Ombudsman and his staff. Working within a collaborative team, Counsel carry their own caseload. They may also work on internal policy development and contract preparation, as well as conduct staff training.  Acting as representatives of the Office, Counsel participate in outreach activities such as conferences, symposia and other events that connect stakeholders to the important work we do.

This position is within the legal services team. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, providing services to the Commissioner, French Language Services and the French Language Services Unit, which reviews complaints about the offering of services in French pursuant to the French Language Services Act by government agencies, institutions, ministries, boards, and corporations as well as designated agencies. The position may also be assigned work on legal issues arising in other areas of the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction, including issues involving municipalities, school boards and universities.
 

ABOUT YOU

Successful candidate will have the following:

• A minimum of two years’ experience as legal counsel, and be licensed by the Law Society of Ontario

• Significant experience researching, analyzing and applying administrative, education or municipal law, or in other relevant areas of practice

• Demonstrated ability to research complex issues, use sound judgment, and provide legal advice and support

• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team

• Strong interpersonal skills with the capacity to coach others through complex issues

• Proficient in communicating in writing and orally in the French language with an ability to work at the superior level

• Ability to communicate and receive instructions in English

• Knowledge of the Ombudsman Act and the French Language Services Act would be considered an asset

• Knowledge of the Francophone community in Ontario and a demonstrated interest in promoting the language rights of Francophones would be considered an asset

• Experience conducting administrative investigations would be considered an asset