Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Natural England Information Appraiser
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Chief Data Office – Records Appraisal Officer (Natural England) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) Natural England, Science, Data & Analysis Group, CDO
About the Role
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding the natural environment, supporting food production, and driving rural economic growth. Our work impacts daily life—from the food we eat and water we drink to the air we breathe.
The Chief Data Office (CDO) oversees Defra’s data and information strategy, harnessing technology, skills, and culture to improve decision-making, services, and AI usecase aligned with government Digital & Data Transformation objectives.
The Information Appraisal Team within the CDO focuses on legal compliance, ethical records management, and transfer of historical records to The National Archives (TNA) via Natural England’s statutory 20-Year Rule requirements. Current priorities include paper records appraisal, with an expanding scope for digital records management.
Key Responsibilities
Core duties include contributing to the annual records appraisal programme and supporting statutory obligations:
- Research and appraisal
- Conduct deep research, interrogate file listings, and perform physical examinations of records.
- Apply expert appraisal methods to project-specific records (e.g., specialist formats).
- Legal compliance
- Prepare and track Retention Instruments for records requiring extended archive beyond 20 years.
- redact and declassify sensitive data in accordance with FOI/GDPR/20-Year Rule guidance.
- Cataloguing and transfer coordination
- Catalogue records designated for transfer to The National Archives.
- Monitor and update Natural England’s SharePoint-based records management system.
- Document services
- Respond to internal/external queries about records retention requirements.
- Paper-to-digital transition
- Work with scanning providers to:
- Order and prioritise records for digitisation.
- Quality-check outputs and liaise with suppliers.
- Share scanned copies with relevant Natural England teams.
- Return original paper records to approved storage.
- Work with scanning providers to:
- Process support
- Handle files during office relocations and staff moves.
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Person Specification
Essential Skills & Experience
- Analytical expertise with meticulous attention to detail.
- Experience in records management or appraisal processes.
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365/SharePoint for data organisation and retrieval. -Strong research and legislative understanding, particularly in archival and FOI/GDPR frameworks.
Assessment Criteria
Behaviours (VS Success Proflies):
- making effective decisions
- quality service management
- collaborative teamwork
- agile delivery
Technical Skills:
- Absolute expertise in information management and appraisal.
Benefits
Civil Service Package
- Salray: £29,715 + £8,608 Civil Service pension contribution
- Leave: 25 days (annual) rising to 30 days after 5 years, plus 8 public holidays and the King’s Birthday privilege day.
- Access to flexible parental study leave, volunteer leave, reservist training. Competitive paid sick rates.
- Flexible working: Radius 1 scheme (report to any Defra worksite) with 60% minimum office presence.
- Tech: Supplied Windows/Laptop, smartphone, and rucksack with hybrid working support.
- Recruitment identifies:
- Shared旬s/sports/cycle facilities with subsidised gym access, disability-adjusted role inquiries.
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Overseas Support
- No sponsorship for non-UK visa holders via Civil Service.
Selection Process
Deadline: Approx. 6 July for invitation to 7 July testing → 20 July interviews (virtual or in-person).
- CV + Personal Statement review against behaviours/technical criteria
- Short applications: MINDS → screening check.
- Interview (60 mins): Behavioural/tech questions for role fit.
About Defra/Requirements
- Vetting Required: Security clearance (SOU baseline check exams).
- Technical Test:Civil Security Defense Policy applies.
- Criminal declarations: Full enhanced DBS (after covered expected due process is completed).
- Necessary Rights:For UK/EU nationals + those with pre-settled status-ion ESS protection accord.
Application Process
Encourage all applicants: Ensure details are factual, not AI-generated. Adhere to freedom/quality criteria provided on the portal.
For the legal process, defrarecruitment.rds@cabinetoffice.g@uk and threshold rules noted for employment actions.
Please treat this page non-expiratory except until final process ends.
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