Senior Data Protection & Information Officer

Job summary

The Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA) is a fast paced delivery and operational team that is responsible for holding departments and arms-length bodies to account for their handling of fraud in the public sector. The Authority will write the standards for counter fraud work across government and hold public bodies to account against these. Working in the PSFA offers access to a wide range of stakeholders across government and the opportunity to work with various sectors in a high-profile policy area with high media, parliamentary and ministerial interest.

The Team

As well as being part of the PSFA, a new authority established in 2022, you will also be part of the Government Counter Fraud Function (GCFF). The PSFA is at the centre of this function but a role in this team will make you part of a Counter Fraud Function that spans government and has members in all departments, at all levels, in all sectors. The PSFA is outcome and performance driven, offers a depth and breadth of expertise and works jointly with HMT to tackle fraud in the public sector.

The PSFA, whilst sitting within the Cabinet Office, reports jointly to the Cabinet Office and Treasury Ministers. Maintaining close working relationships with HMT colleagues is key to ensure the PSFA can deliver its mandate effectively. The PSFA is a team of c.130 staff members with locations across the country – including Manchester, York, Glasgow and London. As a result, hybrid working is fully embraced and teams are encouraged to collaborate in the various Cabinet Office Hubs around the country.

The Data Governance team is a function within the PSFA that will design and deliver modernisation of data governance within the PSFA and provide a model and frameworks that progress its strategic agenda. In addition the team will ensure corporate readiness for disclosure to the C-19 Inquiry and deliver mechanisms that effectively identify and manage strategic and operational risk, taking into account evolving AI and Investigatory models being developed within PSFA.

Job description

This is a high responsibility role in terms of legal, operational and data protection risks. The post holder will lead the PSFA’s compliance with data governance requirements. This will require the use of discretion and deep subject matter expertise.

You will lead on key data protection and information management activity to oversee creating and implementing the delivery plan for the data governance framework. This supports PSFAs strategic direction and mandate in alignment with the National Data strategy. The National Data Strategy (NDS) sets the mandatory overall data management requirements for HMG, setting the direction of travel as it seeks to improve data connectivity and create a more informed policy development and decision making process.

This role is essential to ensuring that PSFA can provide a cohesive data strategy and framework in adherence with UK data protection regime and regulatory frameworks. The post holder will need to exercise professional and confident judgement in interpreting regulatory requirements for the PSFA’s operational environment.

The post requires a developed capability to apply data rules that both comply with the legislative framework, and ensure delivery of defined PSFA services that are directly impacted by data governance issues, and also coordinate across the organisation to ensure compliance of both operational and policy teams.

Counter fraud is one of the areas where the “unlocking of data” to realise its full potential and getting it to where it is needed has the potential to realise enormous benefits. As such this will be a cross-HMG role engaging with senior stakeholders across the counter-fraud function while ensuring full compliance with data governance requirements - a specialised role requiring a data SME.

In addition this role will allow the PSFA to further expand and deepen its world-leading data service offerings, allowing us to fully understand the fraud landscape and increase the value of preventative savings to HMG. These have already increased from £28m to £653m over the last seven years with the potential to run to billions.

Responsibilities

• Providing data protection and information management guidance, compliance assessments, collating and analysing quarterly reporting metrics on compliance of Data Asset Management and GDPR statutory obligations.
• Reviewing of assurances and compliance measures across underpinning operational and policy activity delivered through PSFA`s services, making clear Analysing and making informed assessments and recommendations to assure organisational compliance. Identification of risks and appropriate mitigations in adherence to CO data protection policies which are informed by the UK data protection regime, Cabinet Office personal data risk management policies and relevant legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Drafting necessary agreements, letters and briefings following specified templates and guidelines to exacting and often time pressured deadlines.
• Critically analyse contracts, identify solutions to risks identified and make recommendations on mitigations/action to take.
• File, manage and audit data sharing and data access request, data assets and related documents in accordance with the organisation’s data protection and records management policy.
• Liaise and coordinate activities with colleagues within the BU and other relevant stakeholders.
• Acting as a main point of contact within BU for enquiries and requests for information related to data governance and preparing draft correspondence on behalf of the Head of DG as required.
• Monitor compliance within risk management frameworks.
• Perform such other duties consistent with the post holder’s skills and experience as delegated by line manager or senior staff.
• Presenting MI and dashboards monthly for ExCo governance boards, answering questions, providing updates in relation to assurance/mitigations towards compliance and supporting in the development of next steps in conjunction with data leads.
• Key stakeholder engagement with CO and wider HMG Data leads to maintain and understand the reporting /performance position.
• Managing stakeholders, communicating well and identifying and resolving conflict.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• A sound knowledge of information management practices and data protection rights under the UK General Data Protection regime and Data Protection Act.
• Knowledge of how legal gateways are used to share data responsibly, especially to detect and prevent fraud, and how individuals' data rights are safeguarded within these processes.
• Demonstrate an ability to use varied information including legal advice to make evidence based risk assessments and knowledge of risk management practices.
• Demonstrate an ability to maintain their skills, knowledge and experience through training on legislative change and best practice.
• Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with technical, non-technical, and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders on complex projects in collaborative and innovative ways.

Desirable Criteria

• A background in fraud with experience of data sharing legislation or prior knowledge or experience of governance within data delivery.

Additional information:

A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. Although requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £43,760, Cabinet Office contributes £12,677 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

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 and Experience.

Application process

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement and behavioural statements.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Making effective decisions. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

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.

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

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).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.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

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

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.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

Job contact :

• Name : Ricky Reed-Killick
• Email : Ricky.reed-killick1@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service by email at : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at info@csc.gov.uk. For further information on the Recruitment Principles and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.

Attachments

Cabinet Office Employee Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 302kB)Cabinet Office Terms and Conditions - External 2025-02-20 (1) Opens in new window (docx, 94kB)