Digital Information and Records Manager

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA); Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) seeks a Digital Information and Records Manager to strengthen information governance and treat digital information as a strategic asset. You will drive policy, lifecycle management, and stakeholder engagement across the Defra group.

You will lead on policy development, training, and an information portal, collaborating with the DIRM team to ensure compliance with records acts and data protection requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience managing digital information and records as a strategic asset.
• Understanding of public records acts and information governance.
• Ability to lead policy implementation and governance initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead on management of Information Management policies for Defra and cross-Defra coordination.
• Continuously review lifecycle management processes for efficiency and user uptake.
• Contribute to Information Asset Management policy and best practice within Defra.
• Conduct evidence gathering, audits, and discovery work to inform risk and holdings.
• Lead communications, training and guidance for assigned areas to promote best practice.
• Collaborate with the DIRM team to provide an enquiry service and maintain an information portal.

Skills

Information management

Policy governance

Digital records management

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Tools

Discovery tools

AI in information management

Job description

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink. The Defra Group recognises the importance of data and information to achieve this remit. We have set an ambitious 2030 vision in which data and information will be at the heart of everything we do - delivering our core environmental missions, enabling cross-sector collaboration and building public trust. This vision is achieved through Defra's first 2030 Data and Information Strategic Roadmap. To realise our Roadmap's ambitions, the Chief Data Office (CDO), within Defra's Science and Analysis group, offers an exciting opportunity for a Digital Information and Records Manager. The post holder will play a critical part in strengthening Defra's ability to manage digital information as a strategic asset. Our team seeks an information professional with a strong track record of managing digital information and providing support to users. You are innovative, agile, focused on quality results and timely delivery, able to work and get along with people from all backgrounds, collaborative and focused on supporting and connecting others to do their best work; you embrace a positive can-do attitude. You play an important role in ensuring that Defra is compliant with the Public Records Act, Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act. You work within the Digital Information and Records Management (DIRM) team implementing Cabinet Office requirements and promoting best practice for information management across the department. We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups. The role also drives continuous improvement in digital information and records processes by leading on defined work areas across policy, governance, lifecycle management, Information Asset Management, communications, guidance and training. The post holder will work collaboratively with the other HEOs within the team and will either line or activity manage an EO. Key Responsibilites:

• Lead on the management of assigned Information Management policies for Defra and where appropriate co-ordinating policy consultation across participating organisations within Defra group.
• Management and continuous review of lifecycle management processes to ensure that they are efficient and can be applied by users.
• Contribute to policy and best practice for Information Asset Management implementation within Defra.
• Evidence gathering exercises to inform best practice and identify risks, may include conducting proof of concepts for discovery work or audits to assess information holdings.
• Lead on communications, training and guidance for assigned areas to inform users of responsibilities and promote best practice.
• Work collaboratively with the Digital Information and Records Management team to provide an enquiry service to users and to maintain an information Portal to promote self-service.
• Lead on engagement with assigned business areas and stakeholders.
• Explore technical developments and possibilities for implementation, including use of AI, MS Up-dates and potential automation of services.
• Use discovery tools to locate and review Defra's information holdings as part of information lifecycle management activities.
• Participate in Knowledge and Information Management governance and best practice groups, providing secretariate support when required.
• Contribute to the delivery of the Chief Data Office Roadmap and Defra objectives as directed by the Digital Information and Records Management lead.