Data Protection & Freedom of Information Officer - Coventry

This role is crucial to help and support QCA in developing and maintaining appropriate policies and providing expert advice, support and guidance in the area of information management.

As the official compliance officer for DP and FOI, you will be required to interpret statute and provide clear recommendations to management to ensure QCA is not at risk from inappropriate disclosures. You will be the subject matter expert in the area of Data Protection and Freedom of Information where you will be able to take ownership for the whole process.

Key purpose of role:

To help and support the Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs in developing and maintaining appropriate policies and providing expert advice, support and guidance to the QCA and their Divisions in the area of information management.

Job description

Specific responsibilities:

• To develop, co-ordinate, maintain and implement a QCA wide strategy to ensure that QCA is compliant with information legislation, including the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA), Freedom of lnformation Act 2000 (FOIA), Public Records Act, Environment lnformation Act and Copyright
• To develop, co-ordinate, maintain and implement QCA's Data Management policies
• To co-ordinate and provide expert guidance, training, documentation and support to QCA staff to ensure that QCA meets its obligations under this legislation including in relation to the fair obtaining and processing of data, information uses and processes, information quality and integrity, technical and organisational security and freedom of information and subject access/subject information requests
• Act as QCA's official compliance officer for Data Protection and Freedom of Information. Provide clear recommendations to management to ensure that there is no risk to QCA's reputation as a result of inappropriate disclosures of information.

General responsibilities:

• To prepare and maintain the Publication Plan required by FOIA on behalf of QCA ensuring that it meets the requirements of the lnformation Commissioner's Office and ensure that all information listed in the Publication Plan is available in the appropriate form
• In conjunction with appropriate staff in each of QCA's Divisions, prepare, implement and monitor procedures for the effective handling of requests from the public for information made under FOIA
• In conjunction with appropriate staff in each of QCA's Divisions develop, implement and monitor procedures for QCA systems which contain personal data to ensure that QCA complies with the DPA and to support timely and compliant responses to Subject Access Requests from individuals
• In conjunction with appropriate staff in each of QCA's Divisions, carry out a continuing programme of reviews/audits to ensure that QCA's data management systems and policies comply with relevant legislation and associated internal records management systems including in the areas of data retention, storage, destruction, transfer and security
• Be main point of contact for and provide expert advice to QCA staff on freedom of information, data protection, data management, confidentiality and disclosure issues and contract drafting and negotiation in relation to these areas.

Person specification

Knowledge and experience:

• Relevant experience, preferably in the public sector
• A comprehensive knowledge of FOIA, DPA and related legislation, data management, government policy for public body data management and best practice in these areas
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills and the ability to act as an agent for change in a large complex organisation
• A good understanding of electronic document and contacts management
• Good working knowledge of the Microsoft suite of applications including Word, Outlook, Excel and Powerpoint and the ability to access and use the internet as required
• Financial/budget management
• Policy formulation/implementation
• Devising and implementing development/change plans
• Preparing reports for senior managers and partners
• Project management
• Develop and use your skills and energy effectively: Manage own personal and continuous Professional/technical development through a Personal Development Plan. Take personal responsibility for making timely decisions to achieve results, delegating in a way that encourages others to take responsibility
• Communicate, both formally and informally, in a way that promotes shared understanding and consider the impact of your actions. Appropriately influencing senior decision-makers and peers in a way that changes their actions.

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is the public body responsible for developing, reviewing and evaluating the National Curriculum, assessments, examinations and qualifications in the UK.

We are committed to building a world-class education and training framework which will enhance the capabilities of the next generations. Our national qualifications framework enables us to accredit qualifications at appropriate levels to meet the needs of employers and learners.

We fund occupational standards, support learning at work and regularly review the suitability and availability of qualifications, to ensure that the needs of learners, employers and the economy are met.

For further information, in complete confidence, please contact our exclusively retained consultant, Anita Rupal at Hays Legal. All direct and third party applications will be forwarded to Hays Legal for consideration.

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