The role is part of the Information Rights Team, which is responsible for ensuring that UKHSA responds to requests made under statutory access schemes such as Freedom of Information and Data Protection. You will be responsible for providing expert advice, developing a high standard of quality assurance, including requests made in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Environmental Information Regulations and subject access requests under the General Data Protection Regulation, as well as Coroner’s Investigations and briefings to deliver the service.
You will be working with a highly motivated and passionate group of people and will be working alongside them in an exciting and fast-paced environment with the opportunity to make your mark and influence government policy and delivery. In line with the UKHSA values, we are inclusive, insightful and impactful in our work.
The Information Rights Team is part of UKHSA’s Parliamentary and Public Accountability team, which works directly with requesters, regulators, OGDs, Ministers’/CEO offices, Parliament and members of the public in the delivery of UKHSA’s obligations with respect to Parliament and the public. This is an excellent opportunity for staff wishing to join the Parliamentary and Public Accountability team and be part of a busy friendly team delivering high quality and important work.
The post holder will be part of the Information Rights team within the Parliamentary and Public Accountability Team. Responsibilities will include:
- Co-ordination and drafting of responses to requests made under FOIA, the Data Protection Act and other statutory information access schemes, ensuring responses comply with the relevant legislation
- Provision of expert advice and guidance, developing a high standard of quality assurance, to support the business of the team in its centralised statutory information access service
The post holder will help lead the team to undertaking activities relating to reporting, engagement, continuous improvement, learning and development and wellbeing.
In line with our work to increase cross-team working within the Parliamentary and Public Accountability Team, and to role model a one team ethos, the post holder may also be required to undertake projects outside their immediate area of responsibility to support parliamentary, complaints and enquiries team activity.
Location
Role available at all core and scientific locations with hybrid working available
Birmingham, Chilton, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Porton Down
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) operates a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's locations (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London). Specialist or regional roles will be based at the appropriate UKHSA site. For certain roles, some additional flexibility may be possible, which will be agreed upon with the hiring manager based on individual requirements and business needs.
*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
Working Pattern – Full Time, Part Time, Job Share, Flexible Working.
Responsibilities section:
As Senior Information Rights Officer your main responsibilities will include:
- Co-ordinate UKHSA’s responses to FOIA and other statutory information access requests to UKHSA with consistent and cleared responses and act as liaison point for any further clarification or queries.
- Assist the Information Rights Lead & Head of Public Accountability to ensure that UKHSA complies with the requirements under FOIA, the Data Protection Act and other statutory information access schemes, ensuring responses comply with the relevant legislation.
- Provide expert guidance and support for challenging cases and where escalation is required for more complex cases. Ensure there is a centralised service for the sensitive handling of material and correspondence from the Coroner’s Office.
- Develop the team and individuals, build capability and flexibility to support UKHSA as a whole
- Act as one of the primary points of contact for public accountability activity and respond to queries and issues raised from both staff and members of the public including lawyers and journalists.
- Quality assure and consistency check contributions including review of corporate lines received from contributors across UKHSA to ensure up to date lines on key topics feature in responses.
- Provide briefings to Chief Executive Office, Directors and staff across UKHSA on a wide range of UKHSA’s issues raised under FOIA, Data Protection Act and other statutory information access schemes.
Engage across the organisation and externally with other Government departments such as the Department of Health and Social Care and the Information Commissioner’s Office.
The postholder will have regular contact with staff at all levels in UKHSA and to support delivery against targets, will also need to establish and maintain efficient and effective working relationships with members of the public, health care professionals and across government departments.
In ensuring that UKHSA's responses are timely and accurate, the postholder will work with the organisation's scientists, clinicians and technical staff and will be able to take complex scientific and technical information and be able to adapt it for a wide range of audiences. Strong communication and drafting skills are essential for this role.
As the role involves changing priorities, the successful candidate will need to demonstrate the ability to be flexible, adaptable, and resilient through uncertainty.
The post holder will have responsibilities within the team and across the organisation around engagement, reporting, continuous improvement, learning and development and well-being.
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Please click here to review the job description for a full list of roles and responsibilities.
Essential Criteria:
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1000 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please click here to refer to the attached job description, you must review this to produce your statement of suitability):
Essential
- BCS Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information and/or GDPR (or equivalent qualification)
- A sound practical knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and ability to guide others on the application of exemptions including conducting public interest tests
- Experience in a public sector organisation with complex stakeholder interactions and exposure to a broad range of the organisation’s functions and activities
- Ability to deal with conflicting demands and pressures and able to solve complex problems, whilst remaining calm under pressure and demonstrating a high level of resilience
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and inspire colleagues at all levels, building trust with stakeholders to achieve goals
- An understanding of and commitment to diversity and inclusion and good working relationships
- Excellent IT skills – Microsoft, Excel, Adobe
Desirable
- Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience)
- Staff management experience and leadership capability
- Ability to motivate and manage staff
- Experience of working within a correspondence or communications function in a fast-paced scientific or health setting with a primary role of communicating written information to the public.
- Demonstrate problem solving, negotiation, conflict resolution and facilitation skills
Working for the UKHSA
For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
- Range of health and wellbeing support
Any move to UKHSA 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. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GOV.UK
Selection process details
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the full list of essential criteria as detailed in the attached job description – please do provide evidence of how you meet this.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW
This post will involve an interview by video.
As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.
You will also be asked to provide information within the ‘Employer/ Activity history’ section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.
The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:
- Managing a quality service
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and influencing
- Working together
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 8th May 2024 – unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Shortlist: w/c 20th May 2024
Interviews: TBC
Please note these dates could be subject to change.