An independent public body serving the public, we uphold information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals. We educate organisations, promote good practice, investigate, take enforcement action and are involved with important issues from nuisance calls/texts to the major data breaches by internet companies. As well as this, we oversee legislation that ensures people’s data is secure, accurate and robustly managed. Data protection regulation is becoming increasingly global and as part of our regulatory role we liaise and work with other regulators overseas.
About the role
Information rights policy is always developing – shaped by changes in the economy, society and technology. Not only leading the ICO’s response to the latest developments, you will also be instrumental in anticipating them. You will take the lead on high profile and strategic information rights issues, co-ordinating cross office work on significant risks and leading the work to effective outcomes. Working closely with senior colleagues, you will drive new and pioneering approaches to information rights issues.
Developing and delivering our International Strategy, you will see that the ICO engages effectively with a host of overseas bodies, at European and global levels.
As well as leading our intelligence capability, you will play a key part in linking this to shaping wider corporate strategy. The analysis and insight you provide into future developments of personal data use will inform our strategic approach.
We will rely on your expertise to ensure that we are ready and able to address information rights emerging from diverse sources, including the outcomes of research we fund.
About you
You will bring to the role a track record in a senior policy role. Your experience includes managing people, writing business cases and leading significant change projects from concept to sign off. With excellent communication and presentation skills, you have a proven ability to take on a major representational or negotiating role. Naturally, you will demonstrate excellent analytical skills and a thorough knowledge of current data protection and freedom of information legislation, policy and practice.
Why work here?
- Flexible working hours, including flexi leave;
- Civil Service Pension Arrangements;
- 25 days’ paid holiday a year with options to buy, sell, and bank days;
- Extra “privilege” days in addition to normal public holidays;
- Compressed working-hours options;
- Excellent learning and development opportunities;
- Health cash plan;
- Colleague assistance scheme;
- Access to many discounted products and services;
- Welfare and family friendly policies;
- Childcare voucher scheme;
- Staff medical scheme and eyesight testing.