Independent Office for Police Conduct
Information Rights Officer
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Birmingham, Cardiff, Sale, Wakefield
Job Summary
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.
Job Description
- 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
- Working with IAOs and other interested parties, at all levels, so as to identify and understand their concerns about disclosure or exemption application and to provide expert advice on any applicable exemptions from disclosure.
- Responding to requests ensuring that all correspondence and associated disclosures are timely, accurate and compliant with legislation, regulations and policies.
- Providing ongoing advice, training and guidance to the IOPC as whole where required.
- Support the IOPC internal review officers in responding to FOIA and DPA complaints.
- Support the Senior FOI/DPA Advisor and others in undertake internal reviews of responses to subject access requests.
- Provide supporting material to enable representations to information tribunals in respect of FOI cases and the courts in relation to DPA cases.
- Liaising with the Senior FOI/DPA Advisor or the DPO where a disclosure relates to sensitive matters.
- Provide supporting material in regard to requests that potentially attract the exemption under section 36 FOIA.
- Liaising with external stakeholders from where the material originates so as to ensure that their concerns about disclosure are taken into account.
- Ensuring accurate records are kept of requests, responses, disclosures and exemptions and associated correspondence in accordance with FOIA and DPA.
- Support the production of and updating of guidance on the Intranet and support material used by the IOPC in order to promote best practice, in light of the evolving business and legal landscape.
- Support the provision information rights training across the organisation.
- Updating and improving processes within the IOPC to deliver a better information rights service.
- Keeping up to date with statute law, case law and practice relating to information rights legislation, including participating in in-house seminars, and external events. Facilitate knowledge transfer and dissemination to various staff including other FOI & DPA staff.
- Carrying out such other duties and responsibilities of a wider FOI and DPA nature as are required from time to time.
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Person Specification
Essential Experience
- 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.
Essential Technical
- 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.
Desirable Technical
- 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.
This job outline is intended to indicate the broad range of responsibilities and requirements of the post. It is neither exhaustive nor exclusive but while some variations can be expected in particular duties, the outline is considered to provide a reasonable general description of the post.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
Alongside your salary of £34,067, Independent Office for Police Conduct contributes £9,869 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
- 27.5 days paid annual leave (increasing with service to 32.5 days)
- The option to buy, sell, or carry over annual leave is reviewed each year and offered when possible
- Voluntary Health Cash Plan provided by BHSF
- Civil Service pension
- Civil Service maternity leave package
- PAM employee assistance programme
- Access to Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) membership
- Cycle to work scheme
- Opportunity to enjoy the latest home and electronics in a more affordable way provided by Vivup
- Car Leasing Scheme
- Staff Networks focussed on each of the protected characteristics - run for staff, by staff: Enable Network, Age Network, Welsh Network, Pride and LGBTQ+ Network, Sex and Family Network, Race, Religion and Belief Network
- Learning and development tailored to your role.
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
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Artificial intelligence
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 see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
We'll assess you against these Higher Executive Officer (HEO) Level behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, to find out more, please click here.
Throughout the recruitment process we will also assess your Experience.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete four sift Questions based on the essential criteria.
Anticipated assessment and interview dates are estimated to take place in September 2026. Successful candidates will be invited to attend a Success Profile Interview.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a standard (or equivalent) criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a standard (or equivalent) criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Medical
Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a
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