Senior Freedom of Information Officer - £44,825 p.a. + benefits
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Thursday 14th November 2024
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About the job
Job summary
We are currently looking for a Senior Freedom of Information Officer to join our Customer Experience Centre Function within the Communications and Engagement Group.
This is a full-time opportunity, on a fixed term contract until 28th March 2025 basis. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.
Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites.
We are currently implementing a hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 12 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly.
Who are we?
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.
The agency is made up of c.1300 staff working across two main centres and peripatetically across the UK and abroad.
The agency consists of Corporate, Partnerships, Transformation, Governance, Communications & Engagement, Scientific Research & Innovation, Healthcare Quality & Access, Safety & Surveillance and Technology groups.
The role sits within the Customer Experience Centre team, which is part of the Communications and Engagement Group which serves the whole Agency. The purpose of the team is to offer a single advice and information centre which can resolve enquiries, whenever possible, at first point of contact, providing consistently good quality customer experience through a variety of channels and services. This involves assisting the Agency’s customers by answering queries received through the Agency’s main customer contact points (including, but not limited to, email and telephone). We have close working relationships across the Communications and Engagement group, the wider Agency and others in the healthcare family and we use these relationships to support enhancements to the service we provide to our customers.
Job description
This role offers the opportunity to be at the forefront of taking forward one of the Agency’s key priorities - to become patient-centred and putting our customers first. Reporting to the Freedom of Information (FOI) Manager, you will be responsible for responding to complex, technically and legally challenging information access requests in line with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). Responsible for the delivery of all FOI request handling processes; the escalation and approval point for all responses sent, and guide colleagues within your immediate team and the wider organisation to make sure that MHRA meets its obligations under the FOIA. In addition to this, you will also support the FOI manager when the role of commissioning and handling of Parliamentary questions and correspondence transitions to CEC. You will play an important role in shaping the future development and implementing of standards of Transparency across the Agency.
Key responsibilities:
- Manage complex and high-profile FOI requests as required, following internal processes to meet statutory deadlines. Using expertise to advise agency wide colleagues and interpret complex information in order to support the drafting of clear, accurate, legally compliant FOI responses.
- Develop and maintain an up-to-date knowledge of FOI law and practice to be applied both when dealing with own cases and when providing guidance to colleagues inside and outside the FOI team.
- Develop and propose original ideas and solutions to increase transparency across the agency and improve the FOI processes. Implement changes and deliver training to continuously improve processes, outcomes and awareness.
- Approve colleagues’ FOI responses confirming responses are legally compliant and that all internal processes have been followed. Deputise for the FOI Manager
Person specification
Our successful candidate will:
- Aptitude for following process and procedure and ability to spot risks/issues/process improvements.
- Experience of working alongside and leading staff outside the immediate team, with the ability to influence and lead delivery. Ability to support others, prioritise, coordinate and support the wider, changing needs of the business.
- Ability to interpret current affairs, MP interests and departmental policy through a political and parliamentary lens is crucial.
- Proven ability to analyse and accurately interpret data from various sources to support decisions. Must be able to demonstrate the ability to present reasonable conclusions from a wide range of complex and sometimes incomplete evidence. Ability to make decisions confidently even when details are unclear or if they prove to be unpopular
- Experience of working alongside and leading staff outside the immediate team, with the ability to influence and lead delivery. Ability to support others, prioritise, coordinate and support the wider, changing needs of the business.
If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!
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Benefits
- Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave on entry, rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff. PLUS 8 bank holidays
- Privilege Leave: 1 day
- Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
- Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): One month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months full pay/five months half pay
- Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allowing staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
- Civil Service Pension Scheme. Please see the link for further information http://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/ For enquiries relating to the Civil Service Pension Schemes please contact MyCSP's Pension Service Centre directly on 0300 123 6666
- Flexible working to ensure staff maintain a healthy work-life balance
- Interest free season ticket loan or bike loan
- Employee Assistance Services and access to the Civil Service Benevolent Fund
- Eligibility to join the Civil Service Motoring Association (CSMA)
- Variety of staff and Civil Service clubs
- On-going learning and development
Things you need to know
Selection process details
We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here.
- Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application.
- Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.
Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competency-based answers provided- ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.
Use of AI in Job Applications
Applicants must ensure that anything submitted is factually accurate and truthful. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk as soon as possible.
Closing date: 14th November 2024
Shortlisting date: from 15th November 2024
Interview date: from 22nd November 2024
Candidates will be contacted within a week of the sift and the interviews completed to inform them of the outcome.
If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk
Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro-life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Any move to the MHRA 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 here.
Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk.
In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit by a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should firstly contact Mira Mepa, Head of Recruitment and Operations, Mira.Mepa@mhra.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk
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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).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : The Resourcing Team
- Email : careers@mhra.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : Careers@mhra.gov.uk
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