Freedom of Information Advisor

On behalf of The Department for Transport, we are looking for a Freedom of Information Advisor Inside IR35 for a 6 month contract contract based Hybrid working (3 days per week in Southampton and remaining WFH)

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About the role:
The Data Protection team works as part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's (MCA's) Corporate Governance framework to inform the Agency's compliance with Data Protection and Information Access Legislations. The team provides independent, expert advice and guidance to the Agency, its staff, volunteers and third parties.

The team act as a point of contact for individuals whose personal data the MCA process and ensure lawful and compliant processing and disclosure of personal information under the relevant legislations. The function acts to ensure that the MCA's Executive Officers and Board are adequately informed and advised of Data Protection and Information Access risks, best practice and relevant updates or changes to the regulatory landscape.

The main duties and responsibilities of the Freedom of Information Advisor would be:
* Logging, considering and responding to Requests for Information (RFI) made pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) and the Subject Access provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)/Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA).
* Logging, considering and responding to requests from individuals to exercise the Individual Rights provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)/Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) including requests for Erasure and Restriction of processing.
* Advising Agency staff on compliance with the legislations including application of available exemptions.
* Ensuring responses to RFI's are timely, accurate and compliant with the relevant legislations, supporting the Agency business areas.
* Maintaining the case management database for recording and monitoring all RFI's.
* Co-ordinating correspondence with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
* Maintaining the Agency's information access policies, ensuring they are regularly updated to reflect changes in legislation.
* Raising awareness of information access legislation and disseminating details of changes or developments across the Agency, providing regular updates to senior staff and Directors on information access issues and implications on the Agency.
* Developing and maintaining the Agency's publication scheme in line with requirements detailed by the ICO.
* Support the wider data protection team in recording, monitoring, and assessing personal data breaches, including ensuring required information is documented in a thorough and timely manner. Support the investigation into data breaches and implementation/co-ordination of mitigations.
* Support the administration of Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), Privacy Notices, Data Sharing Agreements, contracts, Data Protection by design and default procedures and the maintenance of the MCA's record of processing activities (ROPA).
* Support team audit and assurance activities to ensure that the agency is meeting its information access and data protection obligations, including assisting with management of the Data Protection Risk register, monitoring and assisting the business deliver mitigations identified.
* Support the production of statistics/KPIs where required to track team activity and/or support wider business reporting requirements.
* Assist in promoting Data Protection compliance across the MCA, including training and engagement activities to ensure this is achieved, and that relevant good practice is followed.
* Seek to develop personal knowledge and a high level of awareness of information access and data protection law and updates to the requirements, taking opportunities to enhance knowledge and qualifications.

Essential:
* Understanding of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the subject access provisions under UK GDPR/ DPA and the exemptions and application of those requirements
* Passed or studying for Freedom of Information Practitioner Certificate, or have sufficient prior experience and knowledge to undertake this soon after starting the role.
* Previous experience of working within an information access, legal, customer service or compliance team
* A history of working collaboratively and inclusively, sharing information and knowledge with your team and the wider organization
* Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, skilled in the delivery and absorption of information with colleagues at all levels.
* Ability to work well in a team and co-operate with others to achieve results
* Strong organisational and administrative skills
* Ability to manage a heavy and varied workload
* Ability to prioritise and work to strict timetable /deadlines
* Researching skills
* Lateral thinking and problem solving skills

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident
As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, DfT guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.

Armed Forces Commitment
The DfT guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".