Data Protection Specialist

Colchester City Council; Colchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Colchester is seeking a Data Protection Specialist to enhance information governance and ensure compliance with GDPR and data protection laws. This role involves managing data breaches, providing guidance to stakeholders, and conducting Data Protection Impact Assessments. The ideal candidate should have a degree and extensive knowledge in data protection legislation along with excellent communication and organizational skills. Attractive benefits and opportunities for professional development are offered.

Benefits

Attractive pension scheme

Generous annual leave

Flexible working

Gym, travel, and online retail discounts

Excellent training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent with knowledge of GDPR and data protection legislation.
• Experience advising on data protection matters.
• Ability to convey data protection knowledge clearly to others.
• Strong background in customer service and administration.

Responsibilities

• Act as the first point of contact for data breaches and personal information queries.
• Manage registers, logs, and track Data Protection Projects.
• Support the Data Protection Officer and undertake Data Protection Impact Assessments.
• Develop policies, training, and guidance documents.

Skills

Knowledge of best practices in handling personal data

Experience in providing advice and guidance

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Customer service expertise

Education

Degree level or equivalent

Qualification in GDPR / Data protection

Job description

Colchester City Council is committed to delivering high-quality and accessible services to residents, visitors and businesses. They are a local government authority providing a diverse range of public and commercial services across Colchester, the second largest district in Essex.

The Council are seeking a Data Protection Specialist who will be responsible for developing and coordinating effective Data Protection and Information Governance. This role will be dedicated to running an Information Governance project as part of our Information Governance business improvement plan, LGR readiness and audit recommendations support across Colchester City Council and Colchester Borough Homes to ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations.

Duties of the role

As an essential member of the Information Governance Team, you will provide a first point of contact for data breaches, queries around how personal information should be handled, providing advice and guidance to stakeholders across the organisation. The role will require you to manage registers, logs and actions to track and report on Data Protection Projects, managing incidents, queries, risks, draft sharing agreements, respond to FOI’s and subject access requests. You will support the Data Protection officer. You will undertake Data Protection Impact Assessments for new projects, and the development of key resources and activities such as policies and procedures, training and guidance documents.

Qualifications and skills required

To be successful in this role, you must:

• Be educated to degree level or equivalent, hold a qualification in GDPR / Data protection or evidence extensive knowledge of information governance and data protection legislation, looking for an opportunity to have a real impact, improve governance and associated processes.
• Knowledge of best practice in the handling of personal data, and experience in providing advice and guidance in this area.
• You must have knowledge of the Data Protection Act and UK General Data Protection Regulation and have the ability to convey this knowledge to others. You will have sound organisational, analytical and communication skills and must be able to work with a wide range of stakeholders.
• You will also have a strong background in customer service and administration skills and enjoy sharing your knowledge and skills with others.

What we offer

The Council encourages all employees to maximise their potential. You will be entitled to join an attractive pension scheme and will receive a generous annual leave entitlement, including two extra company holidays during the Christmas period.

Other benefits include:

• Flexible working
• Gym, travel and online retail discounts
• Excellent training, development and progression opportunities

For an informal discussion about this vacancy, please contact Laura Wheeler, Information Services Manager, [e-mail].

For further information regarding this vacancy, please click here.

Colchester City Council has a wide range of services and facilities that can involve dealing with children or vulnerable adults. We treat our obligations for the safety of children and vulnerable adults seriously and expect our staff to be committed to the principles of our published policies and to adhere to the procedures contained within them.