Data Protection Specialist

Location: Sale, Birmingham, Wakefield or Cardiff

Contract: Permanent

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.

• 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

(Please review the full job description for all job responsibilities)

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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