Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
Information Access Officer
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Closing date: 31 August 2026
Interview dates: 15 September 2026 (in person)
About us
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) is a modern, vibrant organisation full of passionate, committed people. We make final decisions on complaints that have not been resolved by UK Government departments and the NHS in England. We work closely with people to understand where, how and why public services sometimes fall short and fail to put people first. And we find ways to put it right.
Based in the centre of Manchester, we employ over 600 individuals, collaboratively working together to make voices heard. We have created a diverse and inclusive culture, whilst offering flexibility to give you the autonomy to work in the best way suited to you.
The role
Join our Information Assurance team and help support our work on information rights, data protection and transparency. This role plays an important part in helping us meet our obligations under Freedom of Information and data protection legislation, while supporting colleagues across the organisation to handle information safely and responsibly.
The post combines administrative support, case handling and advice. Day-to-day work includes managing incoming information requests, maintaining records and disclosure logs, supporting the handling of security incidents and data breaches, and responding to Freedom of Information requests and less complex data rights requests.
What we are looking for:
- experience of applying DPA or FOI or similarly complex legislation
- experience of working in a customer focused environment demonstrating empathy
- problem solving and analytical skills
- ability to understand legislation and to apply it to particular cases, and to understand the business of organisations across the public sector
- interest in information security, data protection and/or privacy.
We recognise the value of lived experience. If you have experience of complaining about any public body, we strongly encourage you to apply.
Our benefits:
- Civil Service Pension scheme
- 32.5 days annual leave (plus bank holidays on top)
- hybrid working, 40% office based
- flexible working
- access to a free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme offering 24/7 advice and support from professionals and counsellors
- one day paid volunteering leave per year
- comprehensive learning and development programme
- employee discount scheme across hundreds of retailers
- bicycle loan scheme
- season ticket loan
- gym membership subsidy
- paid for professional memberships
- eye test reimbursement.
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How to apply (and how to do well)
You will answer four scored questions at application stage. We use these to shortlist and longlist, so your answers matter.
- choose real examples (from professional settings)
- focus on what you did, not what “we” did as a group
- explain your thinking: what you looked at, what you decided, and why
- keep it clear and specific, avoid generic statements
Please do not use AI to write your answers. We need to assess your skills, and applications may be rejected if answers appear AI-generated.
If your examples are very short, mostly opinion-based, or don’t describe a specific situation and outcome, you are unlikely to score well.
Inclusion & Wellbeing
Equality, diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing are vital to the way we work and our culture. We want our colleagues feel included, valued, and supported at work. It is essential that we are representative and accessible for the people who work here and those who use our service.
Actions we take to embed this include:
- an anonymised shortlisting process to make sure it is fair and unbiased
- monitoring the demographic trends in our workforce and making measured, sustained efforts to improve our diversity at all levels
- providing wellbeing support and opportunities for personal and professional development for all colleagues
- creating spaces for connection and engagement through our employee network groups and social clubs
- part of the disability confident scheme
- providing reasonable adjustments
- engaging in regular inclusion learning to enhance the cultural competency of our organisation.
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We know the value of having diverse, representative teams across our organisation. Which is why we particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented within the team. These include people who are:
- Asian, Black, Mixed Ethnicity or another ethnic background
- disabled
- LGBTQ.
Contact and important information
If you would like to learn more about the role, please contact Michael Avery, Information Rights Manager, Michael.Avery@ombudsman.org.uk
- Interviews: held onsite
- Feedback: we do not offer feedback at application stage
- Right to work: we can only consider candidates with the right to work in the UK.
- Sponsorship: we are unable to offer sponsorship (we do not have a licence).
- Applications: we do not accept CVs—please apply via the application form (‘apply now’).
- Agencies: no agencies; applications from individuals only.
- Early closure: we may close the advert early if we receive a high volume of applications.
- Salary: non negotiable
Important notice: fraudulent job postings
We have been made aware that some websites are falsely advertising job vacancies for the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO). We only advertise job vacancies through these official channels:
- our website
- Civil Service Jobs
- GOV.uk
- Indeed
- Ombudsman association
- BMEjobs.co.uk
- Disabilityjob.co.uk
- Neurodiversityjobs.co.uk
- LGBTjobs.co.uk
Do not share personal details with any other websites claiming to represent PHSO. Contact our recruitment team to report any concerns at recruitment@ombudsman.org.uk
We are changing our name
We are changing our name. Later this year we will become the Public Service Ombudsman. This will make it easier for people to find us and understand what we do. The service we provide will remain the same. Visit our website to find out more.
If you have any questions, please contact us at recruitment@ombudsman.org.uk.
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