Assistant Assurance Officer

Civic Recruitment Limited; Walsall; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is seeking a 2-month contract role with a local authority to review, redact, and prepare records for SARs and FOI requests, ensuring compliance with data protection laws and statutory disclosure obligations.

The position focuses on reducing backlogs, applying exemptions, and delivering accurate responses on time while maintaining robust audit trails and collaborating with assurance, legal, and data governance teams.

Qualifications

• Experience handling Subject Access Requests (SARs) and/or Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.
• Great knowledge of GDPR and the Data Protection Act.
• Ability to meet statutory deadlines and maintain records.

Responsibilities

• Aid in reducing SAR and FOI backlog by reviewing records accurately.
• Identify and apply redactions and exemptions in line with data protection laws.
• Prepare records for quality assurance prior to disclosure.
• Ensure responses meet statutory deadlines and organisational standards.
• Handle sensitive personal data per GDPR and data protection policies.
• Maintain precise audit trails of disclosure decisions.
• Collaborate with assurance, legal, and data governance teams as needed.
• Escalate complex cases to senior officers.

Skills

SAR/FOI handling

Education

GCSEs English & Maths

Job description

Walsall, United Kingdom | Posted on 17/08/2026

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation. That’s why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors.

In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions.

Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

2 months contract with a local authority

Summary

• This is a 2-month contract position with a local authority aimed at assisting the organization in managing and reducing the backlog of Subject Access Requests (SARs) and Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. The role involves reviewing, redacting, and preparing records to a high standard before they undergo quality assurance and disclosure. It is crucial for ensuring adherence to data protection laws and statutory disclosure obligations.

Responsibilities

• Aid in the reduction of SAR and FOI request backlogs by efficiently and accurately reviewing records.
• Identify and apply appropriate redactions and exemptions, ensuring compliance with data protection and freedom of information laws.
• Prepare records for quality assurance checks prior to their disclosure to requestors.
• Ensure all responses adhere to statutory deadlines and meet organisational standards.
• Handle sensitive and confidential personal data in line with GDPR and data protection policies.
• Maintain precise records and audit trails of decisions related to disclosures, redactions, and exemptions.
• Collaborate with colleagues in assurance, legal, and data governance teams as needed.
• Appropriately escalated complex or high-risk cases to senior officers.
• Demonstrated experience in handling Subject Access Requests (SARs) and/or Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.
• Strong knowledge of data protection legislation, including GDPR and the Data Protection Act.

Essential Qualifications

• GCSEs (or equivalent) at Grade C/4 or above in English and Maths.

Additional Information

• Working Hours: 37 hours per week.
• Ideally, 2 days per week on-site.
• Operates on a bi-weekly schedule.