Information and Access Compliance Researcher

The National Archives

Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 13th October 2024

 

Details

Reference number

372217

Salary

£28,337
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Job grade

Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

Public Access and Government Services Directorate - Information Rights Department

Type of role

Administration / Corporate Support
Analytical

Working pattern

Full-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

London, London (region), TW9 4DU

Job summary

This post enables The National Archives to remain compliant with information rights legislation – the Freedom of Information Act and Data Protection Act – by undertaking work on Reclosure at The National Archives. Reclosure occurs when information in open records may be subsequently closed by The National Archives. It applies to records (including digital records) that have been transferred to The National Archives for permanent preservation. The circumstances in which this would be required are outlined in our published Reclosure Policy.

Job description

Full job description attached (see below).

Person specification

This role works closely with the Information & Access Compliance Lead in undertaking reviews into records flagged for Reclosure. Using your knowledge of information rights legislation, you will assess the scale of the work, undertake research, and review files to support access decisions made for these records. You will work closely with staff within the Freedom of Information Centre (in which this role is based) to ensure that there is a consistency of approach towards Reclosure and compliance.

This role will report to the Reclosure Panel, who are responsible for the reclosure of records. This is an internal Panel composed of staff with expertise in Freedom of Information (FOI) and Data Protection, along with records and catalogue specialists from across The National Archives. Reclosure cases need careful handling, with balanced and considered recommendations being put forward to the Reclosure Panel, to ensure that the appropriate action is taken and in a timely manner. An important part of this role will therefore be to keep those involved with Reclosure regularly informed of progress; you will need to judge when to escalate concerns to senior management, to ensure not just compliance, but to maintain a level of good customer service, while safeguarding TNA’s reputation.

Working within the Freedom of Information Centre, you will also be expected to carry out research into closed records held in the archive in response to FOI requests, assess whether exemptions apply to those records, and correspond with requesters. As a result, you will develop expert knowledge regarding the application of the FOI Act and related information rights legislation. Working to tight deadlines, the role requires you to have good decision making and communication skills, as well as the ability to organise a heavy workload.

A combination of onsite and home working is available and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site for a minimum of 60% of their work time.

SC-level Security Clearance or willingness to obtain SC clearance is mandatory for this role and requires that you have lived in the UK for the last 3 years. The length of required residency may depend on individual circumstances.

How to apply:

If you are an internal applicant: please do not use the link on this page. Please apply via your employee Workday account.

If you are an external applicant: to submit your application please click the 'Apply at advertiser's site' button on this page.

You will be asked to provide details of your work experience and write a personal statement. In your personal statement please explain, using examples, how you meet the essential criteria given below. You may draw on knowledge, skills, abilities, experience gained from paid work, domestic responsibilities, education, leisure interests and voluntary activities. Please note selection for interview will largely be based on the information you provide in this section.

Essential criteria:

  • Degree in history or related subject, or significant relevant experience, demonstrating the ability to carry out research into records, analyse contents and summarise findings clearly and concisely.
  • High standard of communication, both written and verbal.
  • Good team-working skills and flexibility in approach to work, to meet targets.
  • Demonstrate ability to make decisions, using sound judgement, escalating issues as required.
  • Commitment to providing a professional service to the public and/or to other government departments.
  • Ability to work to deadlines, work well under pressure, and prioritise/balance demanding workloads.

        Desirable criteria:

        • Knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and related legislation.
        • High level of IT literacy, including strong knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and SharePoint.
        • Use of case management/tracking systems.
        • Project management experience.
        Alongside your salary of £28,337, The National Archives contributes £8,209 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
        Generous benefits package, including pension, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, discounted rates at our on-site cafe and opportunities for training and development.

        Any move to The National Archives from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk;

        Selection process details

        Reasonable adjustments:

        If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

        If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

        • Contact The National Archives via careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
        • Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional


        Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

        Security

        Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
        Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

        See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
        People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

        Nationality requirements

        This job is broadly open to the following groups:

        • UK nationals
        • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
        • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
        • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
        • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
        • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
        • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
        Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

        Working for the Civil Service

        The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

        We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
        The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
        The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

        Diversity and Inclusion

        The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
        This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
        Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

        Contact point for applicants

        Job contact :

        • Name : The Recruitment Team
        • Email : careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk
        • Telephone : 02083925313

        Recruitment team

        • Email : careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk

        Further information

        If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact The National Archives via email: careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/

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