Senior Information Access Officer

** Senior Information Access Officer
** Full time/Part Time
** Salary:**  **£44,297 - £49,813pa**, with potential for further progression to **£56,082
** with our pay progression scheme.

Location:

Hybrid Contracted to our Wilmslow, London, Edinburgh, Belfast, or Cardiff office, however, through hybrid working we offer flexible home and office-based working opportunities. There will be times when you will be expected to attend the office to collaborate with colleagues or travel due to business need. Please note, from Autumn 2026 our head office will be relocating to Manchester city centre.
* Pay progression scheme.
* Hybrid and flexible working options.
* 25 days paid holiday per year, plus privilege and public holidays.
* Flexi leave (up to 26 additional days leave per year).
* Pension (employer contribution around 28.9%).
* Online discount scheme to save money at major supermarkets, retailers, gyms, restaurants, insurance providers and many more.
* Health Cash Plan.
* Fantastic development opportunities to learn and progress.

Further details can be found on the benefits section of our
** Job Description
** The ICO must be a model of good practice in complying with the legislation it regulates. The Senior Information Access Officer is responsible for handling the most complex, high profile or novel requests for information from receipt to completion. They are also responsible for providing advice to colleagues across the business and for making decisions about information access issues, including disclosure.

The role is central to protecting the ICO’s reputation as the information rights regulator by ensuring that all statutory obligations in relation to information request handling are met and appropriate codes of practice and guidance are followed.
** Key Responsibilities
*** Respond to information requests from receipt to completion largely autonomously and in accordance with all statutory obligations, codes of practice and guidance thereby minimising the reputational risk of noncompliance.
* Maintain an in-depth knowledge of the relevant legislation, regulations/codes of practice and tribunal/court decisions in order to be able to take decisions relating to the interpretation, scope and outcomes of information requests including the application of exemptions.
* Maintain up to date knowledge of internal developments/work going on at the ICO, particularly in relation to high profile areas or corporate challenges.
* Provide trusted advice to senior management about information requests which are sensitive or high profile and need senior management sign off, ensuring that such cases are brought to the attention of relevant senior staff, and others with a need to know.
* Take decisions relating to information access, and in particular provide cover for the Group Manager when they are unavailable.
* Exercise discretion and judgement taking into account all relevant factors which might affect the decision-making process.
* Deal with enquiries from the press office and other colleagues about the disclosure of ICO information.
* Respond to requests for the exercise of other individual’s rights under data protection law.
* When complaints are made, respond to the ICO in its capacity as regulator.
* Build an effective network of contacts including senior staff enabling the smooth processing of requests.
* Contribute to the development of the ICO’s information governance strategy and business plan for the Group.
* Contribute to the development and implementation of internal request handling procedures for the effective, consistent, and compliant handling of information requests.
* Conduct internal reviews in line with procedures and guidance.
* Contribute to quality assurance procedures for request handling.
* Work to encourage a consistent approach to information access across the ICO.
* Contribute and assist in the process of transferring records to The National Archives.
* Contribute to local and cross office strategic projects as required.
** Essential criteria assessed at application stage
*** Experience relevant to the role requirements, as described in the role responsibilities and person specification, and accumulated…