Information Rights Advisor

Job summary

Do you enjoy helping others navigate complex information rights and data protection issues?

Can you provide clear, practical advice that supports compliance and reduces risk?

Would you like to play a key role in promoting transparency, accountability and good information management?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

This is an exciting time to join the Digital, Information and Security Directorate within the Department for Transport as we restructure our directorate to ensure we are ready for future challenges, building a more sustainable, skilled and in-house capability.

Protect data. Influence decisions. Support transparency. Build your expertise in information rights while working on complex and rewarding cases that help the Department for Transport manage information responsibly, reduce risk, and maintain public trust.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here

• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday

• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at Department for Transport Central - Department for Transport Careers.

Job description

As an Information Rights Advisor, you will play a vital role in helping the Department for Transport manage information responsibly, transparently and in compliance with legislation. Working within the Protect Service Line, you will provide expert advice on data protection, Freedom of Information (FOI) and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) matters, helping to safeguard information and reduce organisational risk.

You will work closely with colleagues across the Department to support compliance with data protection legislation, reviewing Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), privacy notices, data sharing agreements and contracts, while promoting privacy by design and best practice. You will also investigate data protection incidents and complaints, providing clear advice and practical solutions.

Additionally, you will take the lead in individual rights and will task manage a small team that provide responses to SARs and other individual rights requests that are made under data protection legislation. You will provide the caseworkers with expert support on the application of data protection legislation and ICO guidance to SARs, ensuring they have the tools to complete their job effectively. This includes providing advice on any exemptions that might be applied, identifying working methods to complete complicated requests on time and constantly looking to improve performance.

Alongside this, you will provide advice on FOI and EIR requests, undertake internal reviews and support responses to appeals and complaints. You will help develop policies, guidance, templates and training that improve understanding of information rights across the organisation.

This is an excellent opportunity to build specialist expertise, influence decision-making and contribute to a culture of transparency, accountability and effective information management across DfT.

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

• Providing expert advice on all data protection queries, enabling the department to process personal data in compliance with relevant legislation.
• Promoting privacy by design, actively seeking ways to embed data protection compliance into working ways.
• Reviewing data protection documentation, DPIA, privacy notices, data sharing agreements and contracts.
• Investigating and responding to data protection complaints.
• Managing data incidents, containing them, advising on risks and making sure they are accurately recorded.
• Leading on individual rights and task managing the team that provide responses to SARs and other individual rights requests.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Person specification

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Knowledge and practical experience of data protection law and practices.
• Analysing and interpreting data from various sources to support decisions and will stand ground when those decisions prove difficult or unpopular.
• Be a proven and adaptable communicator, both verbally and in writing, with colleagues at all levels.
• Well organised, with an eye for detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Office 365 & SharePoint).

You will have successfully completed the Data Protection Practitioners Certificate or be willing to work towards it soon after starting the role.

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 32 hours per week.

Occasional travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays. For candidates based outside of London, there will be an expectation to travel to London on a regular basis to maintain relevant access requirements and provide in-person support when required.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Visa Sponsorship

DfTc does not offer Visa Sponsorship for this role.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,663, Department for Transport contributes £10,331 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new w