Data Protection Advisor

Government Recruitment Service; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department in Sheffield is seeking a Data Protection Advisor to provide expert advice and support on data protection compliance. The ideal candidate will have experience in assessing risks associated with personal data processing and will engage with various stakeholders to promote a culture of compliance. This full-time position offers in-house training and potential for compressed hours working.

Qualifications

• Experienced data protection professional with a solid understanding of privacy legislation.
• Ability to evaluate complex data protection impact assessments (DPIAs).
• Excellent communication skills for interacting with various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice on risks associated with personal data processing.
• Work closely with business areas and partners for risk mitigation.
• Promote a compliance culture and embed data protection by design.
• Participate in the development of the Data Protection Practitioner Network.

Skills

Data protection compliance

Risk assessment

Legal obligations

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Overview

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

The Chief Operating Officer Group works closely with the Home Office’s policy and operational commands to enable us together to deliver the department’s priorities. The group is comprised of different teams and professional functions, including Commercial, Finance, People, Portfolio and Project Delivery, Security, Estates and Information and Digital, Data and Technology.

To deliver its operational and business objectives, the Home Office processes the personal data of over 30,000 staff and many millions of other individuals (located in the UK and other countries around the world). These data processing activities take place across the Department’s priorities.

The statutory Data Protection Officer (DPO) has a key assurance, compliance and advisory function on data protection matters within the Home Office, facilitating compliance across all business functions for both general personal data processing matters as well as those that fall under the Department’s law enforcement responsibilities.

This is an opportunity for a knowledgeable and experienced Data protection professional to tacklea high-profile role within the Office of the Data Protection Officer (ODPO), that helps the Home Office achieve its mission whilst complying with privacy and data protection legislation.

The Office of the ODPO is responsible for delivering a range of services relating to data protection compliance for the Department and a number of Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs). These services deliver for both internal and external customers and involve considerable interaction with internal stakeholders and customers as well as members of the public and those from other public authorities.

Responsibilities

As a Data Protection Advisor, you will be working across some or all the services provided by ODPO to our full range of customers, providing detailed advice, tailored support and comprehensive guidance on data protection compliance, legal obligations and requirements and assurance.

• Providing expert advice on the identification and mitigation of risks associated with the processing of personal data, including the evaluation of potentially complex and high-profile DPIAs, assessment of personal data incidents and breaches and responding to complaints and enquiries.
• Working closely with relevant business areas (engaging with all staff up to SCS level), external service providers or other partners (potentially including the ICO and civil society groups) to agree and/or recommend appropriate risk mitigations and/or privacy improving solutions.
• Through the delivery of this work, helping to promote and embed a compliance culture which adopts the concept of ‘data protection by design and default’.
• Actively participating in the development and operational excellence of the Data Protection Practitioner Network (DPPN) by fostering a collaborative, knowledgeable and empowered community of data protection specialists – ensuring consistent, high-quality support across the department and embedding a positive, proactive data protection culture.

Working pattern

This role is available on a full-time basis with the option of compressed hours working.

Travel

On occasion, the role will require you to travel to locations within the UK, for example, in order to conduct assurance reviews or attend team meetings.

Training

In-house training sessions will be provided to ensure comprehensive understanding and effective delivery of ODPO services. These sessions will cover all aspects of the service provision, including best practices, compliance requirements, and practical applications. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities and receive guidance from experienced trainers to enhance their skills and knowledge.