Knowsley Council is an award-winning Local Authority, named Local Authority of the Year in the Municipal Journal Awards 2024.

We are an Accredited employer under the Liverpool City Region Fair Employment Charter, demonstrating that we are committed to the principle of fair employment and we are dedicated to providing a healthy, fair, inclusive and just workplace.

Come join us and be part of our success.

• Are you passionate about Information Governance?
• Do you have the skills and experience to deliver expert advice, guidance and support to Council services?
• Do you enjoy working on your own and as part of a team?
• If so, you may be the perfect candidate for this role.

Information Governance provides service support and guidance on the UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR), Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018, Freedom of Information Act 2000, Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) and Records Management.

The role will work to the Councils Deputy Data Protection Officer, supporting the Councils Statutory Data Protection Officer in ensuring that the Council meets a high level of compliance with data protection law and in embedding a culture of data protection and information security within the Council.

Duties include:

• Advising on all data protection issues within the Council including assessment and mitigation of risk, giving advice and guidance to staff and external partners and providers where appropriate.
• To ensure all schools in Knowsley that sign up to the Councils Information Governance Service Level Agreement meet a high level of compliance with data protection law and information security.
• To provide advice and guidance in respect of Data Protection Act/UK General Data Protection Regulations, Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations requests particularly in respect of the lawful use of exemptions/exceptions.
• To assist the Councils Statutory Data Protection Officer in dealing with complaints and/or requests from the Information Commissioners Office.

The following essential experience /qualifications are required for the role:

• Relevant degree preferably in Data Protection or Information Management, or
• Accredited Data Protection Qualification such as BCS-Practitioner/ISEB Certificate/CIPP-E, and
• Expert knowledge of the UK General Data Protection Regulation, the Data Protection Act 2018 and related legislation, guidance and best practice.
• Extensive knowledge of best practice in relation to Information Sharing and Data Processing Agreements.
• Expert knowledge of relevant Information Rights legislation such as the Freedom Information Act, Environmental Information Regulation and Local Government Transparency Code.
• Experience of data protection and information governance within a large organisation.
• Experience of providing advice and assistance on dealing with Subject Access Requests and Requests for Disclosure from external organisations.

At Knowsley Council we will consider requests for flexible working.  For most roles, the following types of flexibility are usually possible: flexible hours, working from home, compressed hours, part-time.

We welcome applications from residents and beyond, regardless of background, belief, or identity, recognising the value that diversity brings to our organisation. We particularly welcome applications from individuals from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and candidates with disabilities as we acknowledge their underrepresentation in our workforce.

See the benefits of working for Knowsley MBC https://www.knowsley.gov.uk/yes.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applicants.

At Knowsley we value our applicants and want them to feel well-informed and welcomed. If you have any questions about this specific job role or what it is like to work at Knowsley, please contact: 

Elise White, Information Governance & Insurance Manager or Simon Thomson, Deputy Data Protection Officer via email at KMBCData.ProtectionOfficer@knowsley.gov.uk 

If you are interested in this post, please upload your CV along with a supporting statement as one document in PDF or Word format. Your CV and supporting statement should be tailored to reflect the competencies within the person specification.

Please note if a CV and supporting statement does not reflect the person specification it is unlikely to be shortlisted.