Data Protection Officer

Cabinet Office

Apply before 11:55 pm on Thursday 17th October 2024

 

Details

Reference number

371225

Salary

£53,400 - £59,700
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Job grade

Grade 7

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

CO - Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA)

Type of role

Other

Working pattern

Full-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Job summary

The Infected Blood Compensation Authority seeks a Data Protection Officer to assure our compliance with data protection legislation when processing personal data. IBCA is responsible for paying compensation to eligible applicants, which will include those infected and affected by the infected blood scandal. As such, IBCA will be administering a wide variety of evidence, such as medical records and other health data. IBCA will also be managing information flows to and from other government departments and relevant bodies to support the application process. IBCA is a new department, and as such requires data protection assurance at all levels.This is a unique opportunity to shape and implement a data protection function that provides capability to a mission-focussed team.

Job description

The Data Protection Officer will report to the Head of Data Governance, and will sit within IBCA’s Data Directorate alongside other data-related functions. The post-holder will serve as the Authority’s statutory DPO from the time that IBCA becomes an independent public authority. 

The role will be dynamic and fast paced, so that IBCA is able to deliver a digital service that is underpinned by quality, trustworthy data.

The role includes line management responsibility for one member of staff, who in turn will support the DPO with their duties.

The successful candidate will lead on providing input and assurance and deliver advice and guidance regarding:

-data protection impact assessments, data sharing

-lawful bases for processing and controllership

-data subject rights and privacy issues,

-relevant policy and procedure, training needs,

as well as any other relevant data protection issues the Authority may be required to address. 

Opportunities to move to the new Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA)

At the moment all IBCA roles are hosted by Cabinet Office within the Civil Service. However, once IBCA becomes operational, it is anticipated that these roles may transfer to IBCA, which is a new public body separate from the Cabinet Office and independent of the Civil Service. Roles that transfer to IBCA from Cabinet Office will maintain the same or substantially the same terms and conditions of employment that are overall no less favourable and it is anticipated that employees who move from Cabinet Office to IBCA will be able to continue to participate in the Civil Service Pension arrangements with no break in their pensionable service.

Person specification

You should have experience of working in a data protection related role within an organisation handling sensitive personal information. You should be able to demonstrate an expert understanding of data protection legislation, and its application in practice.

You will exhibit leadership skills in order to set a direction for the organisation and to champion the importance of data protection compliance, as well as to successfully develop your direct report.

You should be able to articulate your decisions clearly, showing a robust supporting rationale. You should be able to think strategically and consider a range of options, and recommend the best course so as to manage organisational impact. 

You should be comfortable communicating with a range of audiences, to provide assurance to senior leaders as well as to provide guidance to operational staff. You should be able to anticipate the training needs of the organisation with reference to its activities, and design and deliver appropriate materials accordingly. 

You should have an understanding of data protection standards across government and experience of creating, implementing and embedding policies within an organisation, with a clear vision for best practice. 

You should be able to anticipate, assess and capture relevant risks, and design mitigations accordingly. You should be able to prioritise effectively while considering the big picture. 

You will be able to effectively bring constructive challenge, while working positively as part of a team both within the Data Directorate as well as across the Authority.

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

  • Knowledge of UK GDPR
  • Knowledge of organisational compliance
Alongside your salary of £53,400, Cabinet Office contributes £15,469 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
  • Learning and development tailored to your role.
  • An environment with flexible working options.
  • A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
  • A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
  • A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

Additional information:

A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. Although requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Opportunities to move to the new Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA).  

At the moment all IBCA roles are hosted by Cabinet Office within the Civil Service. However, once IBCA becomes operational, it is anticipated that these roles may transfer to IBCA, which is a new public body separate from the Cabinet Office and independent of the Civil Service. Roles that transfer to IBCA from Cabinet Office will maintain the same or substantially the same terms and conditions of employment that are overall no less favourable and it is anticipated that employees who move from Cabinet Office to IBCA will be able to continue to participate in the Civil Service Pension arrangements with no break in their pensionable service.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Application process
As part of your application you wull be required to provide a CV containing your job history and qualifications as well as a 1250-word statement of suitability explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification section of the job advert.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the statement of suitability. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

As part of the interview process you will be required to provide a presentation (maximum 5-minutes) on the data protection challenges a newly established organisation such as IBCA is expected to face. 

You will be assessed against your ability to:

  • Identify issues,
  • Assess relevance,
  • Determine priority.

      You will also be assessed on technical skills and strengths-based questions.

      Further Information

      A reserve list may be held for a period of 3 months from which further appointments can be made.

      Any move to Cabinet Office 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

      Reasonable Adjustment

      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 Government Recruitment Service via recruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.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. 

      If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out. 

      In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

      However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

      For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

      New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

      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.

      If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

      This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.



      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.
      The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
      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 : Dayll White
      • Email : ibcadatadirector@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

      Recruitment team

      • Email : recruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

      Further information

      Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.
      If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service at: recruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk .
      If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: info@csc.gov.uk.
      For further information on the Recruitment Principles, and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.

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