Deputy Data Protection Officer

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA); Alnwick; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A government environmental agency in the United Kingdom is seeking a Grade 7 Data Protection Officer to support compliance with UK GDPR. The role involves providing advice, managing distinct work areas, and supporting colleagues across various organizations. Ideal candidates should have experience in data protection, decision-making skills, and the ability to foster relationships. This position may require travel to other sites.

Benefits

Disability Confident employer

Qualifications

• Experience with UK GDPR compliance.
• Ability to work autonomously and improve processes.
• Comfortable taking responsibility for decisions.

Responsibilities

• Develop data protection knowledge and expertise.
• Provide advice and guidance to colleagues.
• Perform assurance function across Defra Group.
• Take responsibility for distinct areas of work.
• Provide cover for the DPO when absent.
• Support colleagues across Defra as needed.

Skills

Data protection knowledge

Analytical skills

Relationship building

Decision-making

Job description

Overview

This is a Grade 7 data protection role in the Office of the Data Protection Officer (DPO). You will support the DPO in the delivery of their functions as set out in UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The DPO provides advice and guidance on data protection matters within Defra Group. This is a busy and challenging role that continues to evolve as we seek to continuously improve our data protection compliance across 8 organisations (Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), Marine Management Organisation (MMO), Natural England (NE), Rural Payments Agency (RPA), Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and core Defra). As well as developing your data protection expertise you will need to build effective working relationships at all levels across Defra Group. You will also deputise on occasion for the DPO. You will also provide support for colleagues across Defra Group potentially also working within other areas and organisations as necessary. You will perform the functions of the Deputy Data Protection Officer. The DPO role is set out in UK GDPR but the focus is on developing a high level of data protection expertise, providing advice and guidance, undertaking activity to improve data protection compliance and covering for the DPO as required. This role suits an individual who can work autonomously, is comfortable taking responsibility for decisions, can identify opportunities to improve compliance and has the ability to deliver those improvements.

Responsibilities

• Continuously developing your data protection knowledge and expertise
• Providing advice and guidance to colleagues.
• Performing an assurance function across Defra Group in relation to data protection compliance.
• Taking responsibility for delivering distinct areas of work, with support and when ready.
• Providing cover for the DPO when they are absent.
• Providing support to colleagues across Defra when required.

Please note this role can be based at any Defra office listed in this advert, where there is capacity. Travel to other sites and overnight stays may be required for meetings or training events.

Disability Confident. A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to .