Information Rights Officer

Independent Office for Police Conduct

Hybrid

Expires: Expiring in less than 3 weeks

Legal

Full time

£34,067 per year

Job summary

As an Information Rights Officer, you will be welcomed into a dynamic and inclusive Data Protection team. The IOPC is on a journey to develop its culture, perspectives and ethos to support the organisation’s core outcomes, and this is your opportunity to enter into the varied world of IOPC data protection, allowing you to develop your mindset and approaches to contribute to improving the police complaints system in England and Wales.

An IOPC Information Rights Officer is part of a wider team that processes freedom of information requests and subject access requests.

The role is primarily, but not solely, concerned with the compliance of information access requests. The role holder will process subject access requests for the IOPC and must liaise with internal and external stakeholders, at all levels of the business, who have a vested interest in the proposed disclosure in order to provide accurate and timely responses that are compliant with legislation. In addition to this they will be involved in quality assuring correspondence, disseminating best practice, training staff and maintaining records as part of a team charged with responsibility for co-ordinating and assuring the IOPC’s compliance with Information Rights legislation.

The role is based in the Data Protection and Freedom of Information Team within the Legal Directorate. The job is based in Sale, Birmingham, Cardiff or Wakefield but may involve some travel to the other IOPC’s offices and elsewhere in England and Wales from time to time.

Job description

Acting as first point of contact for the processing of all subject access requests. Ensuring responses are accurate, compliant and timely.
Providing high quality advice and support on the application of information rights law through the scoping and draft redacting of subject access request and FOI request responses.
Providing advice on whether information should be disclosed or refused in compliance with the relevant legislation. With the knowledge and understanding of when to defer to legal for clarification, further understanding, internal and external consultation and guidance in relation to other legislation which may apply to the IOPC’s disclosure.
Understanding, interpreting and applying any relevant tribunal and Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) cases and guidance to subject access request and FOI request responses.
Assessing requests and correspondence to identify the relevant IOPC internal and external stakeholders that may be affected by disclosure
Working with IAOs and other interested parties, at all levels, so as to identify and understand their concerns about disclosure or exemption application and to provide expert advice on any applicable exemptions from disclosure.
Responding to requests ensuring that all correspondence and associated disclosures are timely, accurate and compliant with legislation, regulations and policies.
Providing ongoing advice, training and guidance to the IOPC as whole where required.
Support the IOPC internal review officers in responding to FOIA and DPA complaints.
Support the Senior FOI/DPA Advisor and others in undertake internal reviews of responses to subject access requests.
Provide supporting material to enable representations to information tribunals in respect of FOI cases and the courts in relation to DPA cases.
Liaising with the Senior FOI/DPA Advisor or the DPO where a disclosure relates to sensitive matters.
Provide supporting material in regard to requests that potentially attract the exemption under section 36 FOIA.
Liaising with external stakeholders from where the material originates so as to ensure that their concerns about disclosure are taken into account.

Ensuring accurate records are kept of requests, responses, disclosures and exemptions and associated correspondence in accordance with FOIA and DPA.
Support the production of and updating of guidance on the Intranet and support material used by the IOPC in order to promote best practice, in light of the evolving business and legal landscape.
Support the provision information rights training across the organisation.
Updating and improving processes within the IOPC to deliver a better information rights service.
Keeping up to date with statute law, case law and practice relating to information rights legislation, including participating in in-house seminars, and external events. Facilitate knowledge transfer and dissemination to various staff including other FOI & DPA staff.
Carrying out such other duties and responsibilities of a wider FOI and DPA nature as are required from time to time.

Person specification

Essential Experience

Professional qualification, equivalent qualification or demonstrable working experience in a similar role
Proven ability to draft redact documents, and prepare disclosure schedules for proposed disclosures in accordance with Article 15 UK GDPR
Ability to make evidence-based decisions taking into account the legislation that binds us for example the UK GDPR, the DPA, FOIA, and the PRA
Good analytical skills in order to assess information disclosures
Excellent attention to detail.
Ability to influence colleagues at all levels across the whole organisation.
Good working knowledge and experience of records management, complaints processes, archive and retention principles and their supporting systems.
Proven ability to provide advice to both internal and external stakeholders on a variety of complex issues (including legal issues), with a keen awareness of sensitivities.
Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines.
Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
Proven ability to show initiative and contribute in a changing environment.

Essential Technical

Theoretical and practical understanding of the Freedom of Information Act and Data Protection law
A working knowledge of IT applications and systems, with knowledge of redaction tools an advantage.

Desirable Technical

A knowledge of other pertinent legislation i.e. the Human Rights Act, Police Reform Act, Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act and Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act are desirable.

This job outline is intended to indicate the broad range of responsibilities and requirements of the post. It is neither exhaustive nor exclusive but while some variations can be expected in particular duties, the outline is considered to provide a reasonable general description of the post.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Managing a Quality Service
Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £34,067, Independent Office for Police Conduct contributes £9,869 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

27.5 days paid annual leave (increasing with service to 32.5 days)
Options to carry over, buy or sell annual leave
Voluntary Health Cash Plan provided by BHSF
Civil Service pension
Civil Service maternity leave package
PAM employee assistance programme
Access to Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) membership
Cycle to work scheme
Opportunity to enjoy the latest home and electronics in a more affordable way provided by Vivup
Car Leasing Scheme
Staff Networks focussed on each of the protected characteristics - run for staff, by staff: Enable Network, Age Network, Welsh Network, Pride and LGBTQ+ Network, Sex and Family Network, Race, Religion and Belief Network
Learning and development tailored to your role.
An environment with flexible working options
A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours.

We'll assess you against these Higher Executive Officer (HEO)Level behaviours during the selection process:

Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Managing a Quality Service
Delivering at Pace

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, to find out more, please click here.

Throughout the recruitment process we will also assess your Experience, Strengths, Technical Skills and Values.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete 4 Sift Questionsbased on the essential criteria.

If successful at sift stage, you will be invited to complete a 2 stage process which includes a test. This will assess your technical knowledge specific to the role, followed by a Success Profiles Interview.

Anticipated assessment and interview dates are estimated to take place11th - 13th February.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

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

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).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

Salary range

£34,067 per year