Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Lead Officer (People Services)

Overview:

London Borough of Harrow has a great opportunity for a Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Lead Officer.

The post holder will act as Lead Officer in managing all stages from initial request to completion of Data Protections Act requests. This would include managing Subject Access Requests and other legal disclosure requests as well as Freedom of Information requests.

This role leads on the day-to-day management and administration of DPA, disclosure and FOI requests, and manages some of the complaints, MP and Cllr enquiries received by the team. The post reports to the Complaints Manager who leads on strategic and high-risk case management.

You will lead on the resolution of disclosure requests and enquiries with guidance from the Complaints Manager and Complaints and Information Officer.

As well as working in a team, the successful candidate must be able to work with independence and be capable of applying critical thinking in their management of cases and data. Particularly in recognising the wider statutory process for DPA and FOI requests such as applying exemptions as well as considering the sensitive nature of many social care cases and the importance of considered data handling.

We encourage early applicants as we will consider earlier close and interview dates depending on applicants received.

About you:

The successful candidate will have:

• Detailed knowledge of the Data Protection Act 2018 and Freedom of Information Act 2000 and their application to local authorities.
• Ability to use statutory knowledge and interpretation skills to assess which legislation should be applied to requests received. This can be particularly complex where FOIA/DPA and common law considerations have to be considered within the same request.
• Experience of co-ordinating responses to information governance requests such as DPA and or FOI requests.
• Ablility to use the Microsoft office suite, emails and databases to an intermediate standard with generally good ability to learn and use new business software products. (Complaints or information Management Databases, Excel and PowerPoint experience beneficial).
• Good communication skills to communicate effectively with a wide range of people.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Good analytical skills with the ability to interpret and apply.
• Experience of dealing with basic data collection, e.g. recording on Excel spreadsheets or databases.
• Experience of successfully monitoring and enforcing strict deadlines while maintaining quality responses.
• Good response writing skills to a range of different audiences.

Related Documents:

For more information, please refer to the Role Profile/Selection Criteria