Freedom of Information Officer

Braintree District Council; Braintree; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Hybrid work

Professional development

LGPS

Learning and development for all

Employee discounts

Employee recognition schemes

Wellbeing programmes

Job summary

Braintree District Council is seeking a proactive Freedom of Information Officer to manage FOI and Environmental Information Regulations requests with rigour and accuracy. The role requires organised, deadline-driven candidates capable of working with multiple services and interpreting complex information in plain language.

The position offers flexible and hybrid working arrangements, a strong emphasis on training and development, and a commitment to public service excellence in the East of

Qualifications

• Experience in information governance, data protection or compliance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interpret information clearly and draft responses.

Responsibilities

• Receive, assess and coordinate FOI/EIR requests within statutory timescales.
• Work with services across the Council to gather, verify and review information.
• Prepare clear, professional responses explaining complex information.
• Provide guidance and training on FOI/EIR requirements to colleagues.
• Review information before disclosure, liaising with Governance on exemptions and data protection.
• Maintain accurate records of requests, deadlines and disclosures.
• Monitor performance against deadlines and escalate delays promptly.

Job description

Location: Braintree, Essex, CM7 9HB

Salary: £32,319 to £36,900 per annum

Job Type: Full time, permanent

Closing Date: 11th October 2026

About Us:

Braintree is an ambitious and dynamic Council and is becoming one of the fastest growing Districts in the East of England with three growing towns, London just 45 minutes away and the district located directly between the international transport centres of Stansted Airport and Harwich and Felixstowe International Ports. We have a deserved track record for delivering and a strong reputation within the business community.

Braintree District Council is a great place to work. We pride ourselves on our creative and innovative approach, which is led by our employees, and are committed to having an engaged workforce who understand our strategy and how they can help deliver it. Our people see the difference they make and how the work they do actively contributes to and encourages positive change in the local community.

Freedom of Information Officer - The Role:

We are looking for a proactive, organised and detail-focused FOI Officer to help the Council respond to Freedom of Information (FOI) and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) requests accurately, clearly and within statutory deadlines.

Freedom of Information Officer - Key Responsibilities:

• Receive, assess and co-ordinate Freedom of Information and Environmental Information Regulations requests, ensuring they are handled within statutory timescales
• Work proactively with services across the Council to identify, gather, review and verify information, ensuring responses are accurate, complete and issued on time
• Prepare clear, professional response correspondence that explains complex information and legislative reasoning in an accessible way
• Provide practical advice, guidance and training to colleagues on Freedom of Information and Environmental Information Regulations requirements
• Review information prior to disclosure and liaise with the Governance Team on exemptions, personal data, confidentiality and public interest considerations
• Maintain accurate records of requests, decisions, deadlines and disclosures using the Council's case management system
• Monitor performance against statutory deadlines, manage competing priorities and elevate risks and delays promptly

Freedom of Information Officer - You:

We are looking for someone who can bring the relevant experience, sound judgement and a clear understanding of information access, data protection or compliance processes. You may already be working in an FOI, information governance, data protection or compliance role, or have transferable experience that demonstrates the required skills.

You will need to be organised, confident in managing competing deadlines, able to interpret information carefully, and comfortable working with colleagues across different services to ensure accurate and timely responses.

You will have strong working knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations 2004, excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to draft clear, accurate responses and explain complex requirements in practical terms. A good awareness of UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 is also essential.

Benefits:

• Flexible working
• Hybrid working arrangements are available in this role (home/office based) subject to business need
• Opportunities for professional development
• Local government pension scheme
• Learning and development for all employees
• Employee discounts at local businesses
• Employee recognition schemes
• Extensive health and wellbeing programmes, including discounted gym membership

Closing Date: 11th October 2026