Head of Data Governance and Data Protection Officer

Job summary

We are currently recruiting for a Head of Data Governance and Data Protection Officer to work on a hybrid basis, two/three days from our HQ in Coventry and the remainder working remotely from home.

This role has responsibility for ensuring compliance with data protection legislation, fostering a culture of data protection and compliance across the organisation. It oversees the design, development and enhancement of the data management and governance framework, driving policies, procedures and standards to advance AHDB's data capabilities and ensure data integrity, availability, compliance and security.

We are looking for a strategic leader to champion data protection and governance across AHDB, confident in ensuring compliance with data protection legislation and being able to foster a culture of accountability and best practice throughout the organisation. It also helps set the strategic direction for data governance and security, ensuring alignment with organisational goals, strong leadership and communication skills are essential to influence and educate stakeholders at all levels. It’s therefore a prerequisite to hold skills and experience in UK and European data protection laws, including GDPR, proven experience managing SARs, data incidents and breaches, and a comprehensive understanding of data protection and governance practices.

Established in 2008, AHDB is the independent, impartial public body that unlocks success in British agriculture. Funded by a levy from over 100,000 British farmers, growers and processors in the beef, lamb, pork, dairy and cereals sectors, we support and champion farmers and processors, often where no one else can or will.

Job description

• Develop and execute comprehensive data protection and data governance strategies that aligns with AHDB’s overall goals and objectives, driving the organisation’s transition to modern agile practices
• Supervise the Data Management and Governance team, including the line management of data stewards
• Act as the primary point of contact and adviser on all data protection matters under GDPR
• Respond to SARs in accordance with UK GDPR and guidance laid out by the ICO, and act as the main point of contact and adviser
• Be an adviser and manage all Freedom of Information (FOI) requests in line with the guidance laid out by the ICO
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, external partners, data stewards, data owners and technology teams to establish and enforce data management policies and procedures
• Enhance and maintain the integrity of data assets through continuous improvement initiatives
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of data governance practices, making adjustments based on regulatory changes and industry best practices
• Produce key artefacts integral to AHDB’s data governance programme
• Ensure compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements, including GDPR, competition law, and data security standards

Person specification

• Experience in managing and developing teams, fostering a culture of compliance and excellence
• Provide expertise in national and European data protection laws and practices, including an in-depth understanding of the GDPR and data security protocols
• Strong understanding of data governance frameworks, policies and best practices
• Experience of data management, compliance and governance principles
• Further experience of managing SAR requests, data incidents and breaches
• Knowledge of data management maturity assessments
• Experience of working with business glossaries, data dictionaries, data quality solutions, data catalogues, data lineage, master data and metadata management
• Proven ability to establish and maintain a high degree of confidentiality, respect, trust and credibility at all levels
• Ability to make good judgments regarding data privacy risks and to prioritise resources and activity around managing those tasks
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence and educate stakeholders
• Ideally educated to degree level in a relevant subject, or relevant experience

Benefits

We believe in rewarding our people for their hard work, so we have a great mix of benefits and opportunities to give you the recognition you deserve:

• 35 hours per week, Monday–Friday, to include hybrid working
• 33 days of annual leave plus one privilege day (inclusive of bank holidays)
• Life assurance cover (4x salary)
• A market-leading defined contribution pension scheme with Legal & General
• Enhanced pay of 20 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, subject to length of service
• A paid day each year to volunteer and make a difference in your community
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Excellent training and development opportunities and an agreed development plan
• Recognition awards throughout the year
• Reward Gateway membership – this gives you a huge number of online discounts and savings

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

To apply, simply upload your CV and Cover Letter via our careers portal by clicking the ‘Apply’ button on this page. Our hiring managers will review your application, and we’ll be in touch with the outcome shortly after the closing date.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an initial interview via MS Teams. If successful, a second-stage face-to-face interview will be held at our HQ in Coventry, Warwickshire, following our competency-based framework.

Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of suitable applications.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Recruitment Team
• Email : recruitment@ahdb.org.uk
• Telephone : 02476 935722

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ahdb.org.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles of the Civil Service, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the Head of HR via email: hr@ahdb.org.uk