Deputy Data Protection Officer

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP); Birmingham; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 87,000; Part time

Job summary

A government agency in Birmingham is seeking a part-time leader to manage teams focused on data protection and information rights. Responsibilities include building stakeholder relationships, leading teams, and providing expert guidance on information management. The ideal candidate has proven leadership experience and strong data protection knowledge. This role offers a competitive salary and various flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Contribution towards Civil Service Pension scheme

Flexible working hours

Generous annual leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Learning and development programs

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading teams in a data protection or closely related field.
• Experience working with information rights and management.
• Strong analytical skills to support decision making in complex situations.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with stakeholders to identify needs.
• Lead teams towards achieving objectives with continuous improvement.
• Provide advice on data protection and information management.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Data protection expertise

Interpersonal skills

Critical thinking

Job description

Overview

Permanent part‑time NEW – The post holders will play a key role in influencing and driving forward a variety of activities to support data protection, information management and information rights in DWP. The role will lead two strands of the DPO Team: the Business Management and Central Freedom of Information (CFoI) Teams.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders to ensure needs are identified.
• Lead a team to achieve its objectives and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to the business on data protection, information management and Freedom of Information.
• Act as first point of contact with citizens, DWP employees and the ICO around data protection and FoI.
• Provide strategic direction to both teams and cultivate an environment of continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Proven experience of leading and motivating teams of subject matter experts to be fully engaged in their work and dedicated to their role, ensuring they deliver to the highest professional and quality standards.
• Experience of working in either a data protection, data privacy, information rights or information management role (or a closely related profession), with the ability to identify, prioritise and resolve issues promptly and effectively.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence people, assimilate and interpret information quickly, explain complex propositions simply and articulate persuasive arguments to colleagues at all levels.
• Critical thinking skills, analysing and interpreting data from various sources to support decision making and encouraging innovative suggestions.
• Ability to prioritise a large and varied workload, take decisions under pressure on own initiative and meet challenging deadlines to deliver quality outcomes that meet customer needs and expectations.

Behaviours

• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

• Salary of £75,026 plus a contribution of £21,735 towards the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
• Work‑life balance – job sharing, term‑time working, flexi‑time and compressed hours.
• Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing to 30 days over time (prorata for part‑time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
• Financial wellbeing – interest‑free season ticket loans, a cycle‑to‑work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
• Health and wellbeing support – Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling.
• Family friendly policies – enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year continuous service.
• Learning and development – industry‑recognised qualifications, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
• Inclusive and diverse environment – networks such as Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE).

Nationality requirements

• UK nationals
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members who have made a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the EUSS
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service