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The ICO is an independent public body. We uphold information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals. We educate organisations, promote good practice and oversee legislation that ensures people’s data is secure, accurate and robustly managed.

About the role

Are you interested in the balance between proactive transparency and a need for privacy?

Can you recognise the opportunities and the challenges that information management in the digital age presents?

As Head of Complaints and Appeals (Freedom of Information) you will lead a department tasked with managing the process of handling complaints and appeals referred to the ICO under the Freedom of Information legislation we regulate.

Day-to-day you’ll be taking the lead on managing the department’s resources with a focus on early resolution of cases wherever possible. You will provide leadership, advice and make decisions in an area that deals with high profile requests for information. You will be responsible for ensuring that public authorities are delivering against their obligations in terms of proactive publication. You will drive operational performance by setting key performance indicators and service standards, ensuring your staff fully understand the standards expected of them and are motivated and developed to deliver. You will continuously seek improvement in your area of responsibility, with a view to safeguarding the ICO’s reputation and helping to drive forward improvements in information rights practice, all the while meeting legal requirements and the ICO’s objectives.

You will make sure you are fully conversant with the legislation we regulate – giving you the confidence and knowledge to sign complex and precedent setting FOI decisions notices and will relish the opportunity to participate in senior leadership activities, representing the Commissioner where appropriate.

About you

You will have significant experience of managing within a complex case handling environment, in which you will have led, managed and motivated your team.

You will recognise the importance of FOI and DP legislation and be familiar with the regulatory environment in the UK and beyond. Excellent analytical skills will help you to interpret and apply the complex legislation we regulate to particular situations. Ultimately you will be able to describe how you have applied good judgement and how you inspire and instill that in others that you manage.  

You will focus your excellent communication and organisational skills to ensure your team delivers and exceeds expectations. Your experience in drawing on operational and statistical information to produce accurate forecasts and plans will help you in the role, but your evidence of, and passion for delivering constant improvement will set you apart. 

Closing date

Applications for this post closed 5:00pm on Monday 13th March 2017