Applicants invited to interview will be assessed against all of the essential criteria (see job description below).

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the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.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 visit the Civil Service Careers website where you can find further information on the use of AI in the application guidance section.

SC clearance/willingness to obtain SC clearance will be required for this role. Applicants should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years for SC clearance. A lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance and applicants should contact the Talent Acquisition team (contact details below) for further advice.

We are unable/able to offer sponsorship for this role.

Job Description

Job Purpose

Over 5% of all Freedom of Information (FOI) requests made to monitored government bodies are handled by The National Archives. The majority of these are for access to closed historical information. The role of FOI Manager requires an individual capable of managing a team of information rights specialists to ensure The National Archives meets its legal obligations under FOI.

Reporting to the Head of the FOI Centre you will be responsible for:

• Overseeing FOI activity throughout The National Archives
• Managing internal appeals and those made to the Information Commissioner’s Office and Information Tribunal
• Managing FOI caseloads
• Liaising with Press Office over high profile/controversial releases
• Keeping the FOI Centre up to date with case law, ICO guidance on FOI, Data Protection and Environmental Information Regulations
• Using knowledge of information rights legislation to assist in resolving complex or difficult cases

Role and Responsibilities

Motivate and provide leadership and day to day management to a team of FOI Centre staff who are required to:

• Handle FOI requests for closed archival information
• Ensure a professional service is provided to members of the public and Other Government Departments
• Provide FOI induction training
• Conduct research and write reports
• Consult with the Advisory Council on National Archives and Records regarding Public Interest Tests
• Negotiate with senior colleagues from Other Government Departments, ensuring the position of The National Archives is clearly and expertly conveyed
• Advise staff under your direct supervision, using your knowledge of information rights legislation
• Investigate internal appeals and manage investigations conducted by the Information Commissioners’ Office into The National Archives’ case handling and application of the law. Ensure lessons learnt from these appeals inform the FOI Centre’s future operations and are relayed to Other Government Departments
• Draft legally compliant responses, which may be used in evidence by the Information Commissioner and the Information Tribunal
• Maintain and share expert knowledge of Data Protection Act, FOI, Environmental Information Regulations and other information rights legislation by keeping up to date with case law and legal developments
• Take responsibility for managing the workflow of FOI cases relating to identified work streams and ensuring cases are completed within statutory deadlines. This will include leading negotiations with Other Government Departments to refine procedures for handling requests and to develop policies regarding the review of digital records. Additionally, it will involve identifying and troubleshooting potential delays in the process and taking remedial steps to resolve them
• Carry out research into closed documents, concentrating especially on “complex” cases, using your expert knowledge of the law to discuss and progress these with senior members of Other Government Departments’ information rights units
• Manage the performance and development of FOI case handlers

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment
• Display Screen Equipment user
• Moving items up to 10kg in weight
• Will come into contact with distressing material

Person Specification

Essential criteria:

• Demonstrable knowledge of information rights legislation including the Public Records Act 1958 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000; OR significant relevant experience, demonstrating the ability to carry out research into information and records, analyse contents and summarise findings clearly and concisely
• Experience of mentoring, motivating or managing staff who work under pressure to meet tight deadlines to deliver agreed goals and objectives
• Ability to prioritise and balance managing own workload, deadlines, alongside providing support to a wider team
• Excellent standard of communication, both written and verbal; ability to manage and engage with staff and stakeholders to clarify goals and activities; evidence of highly developed drafting skills and ability to write persuasively, for different audiences
• Experience of establishing relationships with a range of stakeholders to support delivery of objectives; ability to negotiate to achieve outcomes at a senior level, both internally and externally
• Confidence to use judgment and knowledge to make difficult decisions and defend them

Desirable criteria:

• Qualification in information rights legislation
• Experience of managing staff in an operational or casework environment
• Experience of delivering practical training, targeted guidance and advice to a wide audience of differing needs

Other Requirements

• A combination of onsite and home working is available and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site for a minimum of 60% of their work time.
• SC-level Security Clearance or willingness to obtain SC clearance is mandatory for this role.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.

Benefits

• Generous benefits package, including pension, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, discounted rates at our on-site cafe and opportunities for training and development.
• Annual leave entitlement of 22 days per calendar year (rising to 25 after the first year, and incrementally to 30 days after six years) and 10½ days public and privilege holidays per annum.

Any move to The National Archives 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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ (opens in new window)

Reasonable adjustments

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person,