Information Rights Officer

Job summary

About us

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) is a modern, vibrant organisation full of passionate, committed people. We make final decisions on complaints that have not been resolved by UK Government departments and the NHS in England. We work closely with people to understand where, how and why public services sometimes fall short and fail to put people first. And we find ways to put it right.

Based in the centre of Manchester and Westminster, we employ over 600 individuals, collaboratively working together to make voices heard. We have created a diverse and inclusive culture, whilst offering flexibility to give you the autonomy to work in the best way suited to you.

Job description

The role

The Information Rights Officer plays a key role in making sure we meet our legal responsibilities around data protection and information rights. You will handle requests for information in line with legislation, providing clear and accurate responses while helping to reduce the risk of non-compliance. You will also offer practical advice to colleagues on how to manage data appropriately.

You will work closely with the Data Protection Officer and wider team to support regulatory responses, maintain accurate records, and contribute to data protection impact assessments. The role also involves delivering guidance and training to colleagues, helping to build understanding of data protection and cyber security across the organisation

This is a varied role that requires strong judgement, attention to detail, and the ability to interpret complex legislation. You will need to manage competing priorities, meet statutory deadlines, and work collaboratively with others to ensure a consistent and high-quality service for information requesters.

Person specification

What we are looking for:

• experience with disclosure requests and working with Data Protection legislation

• experience of analysing complex legislation and to be able to apply it to particular cases and situations

• excellent communication skills, both written and verbal and the ability to present information clearly

• knowledge of data protection and information rights legislation applied within a public authority

• experience of handling information rights requests

• technical knowledge of current data protection legislation and the role of the data protection officer under GDPR

• industry recognised qualifications in DPA and FOI legislation e.g. CIPP/E, CIPM, University of Maastricht Certified DPO etc or willingness to obtain this qualification.

We recognise the value of lived experience. If you have experience of complaining about any public body, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Benefits

Our benefits:

• Civil Service Pension scheme

• 32.5 days annual leave (plus bank holidays on top)

• hybrid working, 40 percent office based

• flexible working

• access to a free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme offering 24/7 advice and support from professionals and counsellors

• comprehensive learning and development programme

• employee discount scheme across hundreds of retailers

• bicycle loan scheme

• season ticket loan

• gym membership subsidy

• paid for professional memberships

• eye test reimbursement.

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

How to apply (and how to do well)

You will answer four scored questions at application stage. We use these to shortlist, so your answers matter.

• choose real examples (from professional settings)

• focus on what you did, not what “we” did as a group

• explain your thinking: what you looked at, what you decided, and why

• keep it clear and specific, avoid generic statements

Please do not use AI to write your answers. We need to assess your skills, and applications may be rejected if answers appear AI-generated.

If your examples are very short, mostly opinion-based, or don’t describe a specific situation and outcome, you are unlikely to score well.

Inclusion & Wellbeing

Equality, diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing are vital to the way we work and our culture. We want our colleagues feel included, valued, and supported at work. It is essential that we are representative and accessible for the people who work here and those who use our service.

Actions we take to embed this include:

• an anonymised shortlisting process to make sure it is fair and unbiased

• monitoring the demographic trends in our workforce and making measured, sustained efforts to improve our diversity at all levels

• providing wellbeing support and opportunities for personal and professional development for all colleagues

• creating spaces for connection and engagement through our employee network groups and social clubs

• part of the disability confident scheme

• providing reasonable adjustments

• engaging in regular inclusion learning to enhance the cultural competency of our organisation.

We know the value of having diverse, representative teams across our organisation. Which is why we particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented within the team. These include people who are:

• Asian, Black, Mixed Ethnicity or another ethnic background

• disabled

• LGBTQ.

Contact and important information

If you would like to learn more about the role, please contact Michael Avery, Information Rights Manager, Michael.Avery@ombudsman.org.uk

• Interviews: held onsite

• Feedback: we do not offer feedback at application stage

• Right to work: we can only consider candidates with the right to work in the UK.

• Sponsorship: we are unable to offer sponsorship (we do not have a licence).

• Applications: we do not accept CVs—please apply via the application form (‘apply now’).

• Agencies: no agencies; applications from individuals only.

• Early closure: we may close the advert early if we receive a high volume of applications.

• Salary: non negotiable

Important notice: fraudulent job postings

We have been made aware that some websites are falsely advertising job vacancies for the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO). We only advertise job vacancies through these official channels:

- our website

- LinkedIn

- Civil Service Jobs

- GOV.uk

- Indeed

- Ombudsman association

- BMEjobs.co.uk

- Disabilityjob.co.uk

- Neurodiversityjobs.co.uk

- LGBTjobs.co.uk

Do not share personal details with any other websites claiming to represent PHSO. Contact our recruitment team to report any concerns at recruitment@ombudsman.org.uk

We are changing our name

We are changing our name. Later this year we will become the Public Service Ombudsman. This will make it easier for people to find us and understand what we do. The service we provide will remain the same. Visit our website to find out more.

If you have any questions, please contact us at recruitment@ombudsman.org.uk.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.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 : Michael Avery, Information Rights Manager
• Email : Michael.Avery@ombudsman.org.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ombudsman.org.uk

Attachments

Information Rights Officer role profile Opens in new window (pdf, 159kB)How to apply (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 148kB)