12510 - Deputy Head of Information Assurance

Ministry of Justice; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental department is seeking a Deputy Head of Information Assurance to oversee information management in compliance with UK regulations. This role involves ensuring timely responses to information requests while managing a team and supporting operational activities. The successful candidate should be knowledgeable in data protection legislation and possess strong communication skills. This is a permanent position based in the UK with opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Professional knowledge of UK GDPR and DPA in a policy or operational context.
• Demonstrable practical experience in managing information risk.
• Ability to deliver competing priorities in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Drive information disclosure practice for FOIA and UK GDPR.
• Support OPG Operations teams on delegated information disclosure authority.
• Manage high-risk information security incidents on a rota basis.

Skills

Working with UK GDPR and DPA

Professional qualifications in information management

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Flexible approach to changing work

Ability to work across grades and departments

Job description

Role: Deputy Head of Information Assurance

Business: Office of Public Guardian (OPG)

Location: National

Grade: SEO

Salary: National: -£42,914-£46,182 London: -£49,325-£53,081

Contract Type: Permanent

Minimum Hours: 30 hours (4 days per week)

Organisational Overview

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) protects people in England and Wales who may not have the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves, such as about their health and finance. We are an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), set up in 2007 following the introduction of the Mental Capacity Act of 2005.

OPG is responsible for registering lasting powers of attorney (LPA) and enduring powers of attorney (EPA) and supervising deputies who are appointed by the Court of Protection.

OPG is a fantastic place to work offering a range of development opportunities. The OPG is a disability confident employer and is committed to developing a supportive and inclusive environment that reflects the diverse community we serve.

OPG is currently delivering an ambitious transformation programme. This will change the way we provide services and help us meet the growing needs of our users, partners and our stakeholders. It will make sure our users experience a better level of support and will help us to respond to the changing needs of society. Transformation will ensure we can better support adults at risk and create high‑quality services that are accessible and affordable.

Team Overview

The Information Assurance (IA) team is responsible for supporting OPG on all aspects of information management, ensuring that the organisation complies with the requirements of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA), Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and other associated legislation. The team maintains close relationships with colleagues in MoJ HQ to ensure OPG is adhering to departmental requirements.

This senior role sits within the Information Assurance Team and combines managing information disclosure casework and leadership of information risk, in conjunction with the other Deputy Head of IA.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Drive information disclosure practice, ensuring lawful and timely responses to requests under FOIA and UK GDPR
• Work closely with MoJ colleagues to ensure disclosure of information is in line with departmental requirements
• Monitor and support disclosure of information outside of the FOIA and UK GDPR, ensuring lawful and timely responses
• Support and advise OPG Operations teams where they have delegated authority to disclose information outside of OPG.
• Support and advise the team on handling complaints, including those from the Information Commissioner’s Office
• Line manage and develop Knowledge and Information Managers (KIMs), including performance management and training plans
• Ensuring that team members manage their work effectively, within agreed / published targets and standards, to support delivery of the OPG business plan
• Identification and implementation of improvements to service delivery
• Work closely with Information Asset Owners and operational teams to ensure best practice in managing and using information assets, including through supporting records audits
• Positive promotion and implementation of diversity and equality of opportunity in all areas of work
• Leadership and support to teams on staff engagement activity
• Manage high‑risk information security incidents on a rota basis
• Provide expert advice to senior leaders on information governance, security, and compliance
• Support information risk management across OPG, including Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs)
• Support the creation of new Data Sharing Agreements and review of existing agreements
• Prepare and present reports to OPG boards and committees and attend MoJ information governance boards where required
• Support delivery of OPG transformation and digital projects
• Provide support to both the OPG Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO) and the Head of IA
• Contribute to directorate and team business plans and manage budgets as required
• Participation in wider OPG management groups and activities to ensure directorate interests are fully represented
• Monitoring developments in legislation and policy relevant to functional area, disseminating these to team members
• Deliver training and awareness activities across OPG
• Any other duties commensurate with grade

Agreed Expectations

The successful candidate will be expected to work from their base location on a weekly basis in line with current Civil Service requirements, outside of any reasonable adjustments.

Occasional travel to OPG sites may be required.

Team members are expected to take part in a rota to ensure we provide our customers a 9am to 5pm service.

Skills & Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Professional knowledge (and demonstrable practical experience) of working with the UK GDPR and DPA in a policy or operational context
• Professional qualifications in information management (e.g. data protection practitioner) or willingness to work towards attainment of these
• Proficient in the use of standard Microsoft office products
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Flexible approach to dealing with the changing nature of the work
• Ability to work across all grades and areas of OPG, MoJ and other government departments and to work to deliver competing priorities