Freedom Of Information Officer

4Recruitment Services; High Wych; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

4Recruitment Services is seeking a knowledgeable Freedom of Information (FOI) Officer for a 12-month contract in the Harlow/Essex area. The role focuses on ensuring compliance with FOI Act and related legislation within a local government context.

You will manage incoming requests, triage, advise stakeholders, and maintain records, with a strong emphasis on housing services and information governance. Attention to deadlines and a proactive, solutions-focused approach are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience handling Freedom of Information requests.
• Strong knowledge of housing services within a local government context.
• Understanding of FOI legislation and information governance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working within a local authority setting.
• Knowledge of Data Protection / GDPR.
• Experience using case management or records systems.

Responsibilities

• Act as the first point of contact for all incoming Freedom of Information requests.
• Triage requests effectively, ensuring they are directed to the appropriate service areas for response.
• Monitor and track requests to ensure compliance with statutory deadlines.
• Provide guidance and support to internal stakeholders on FOI processes and requirements.
• Review responses to ensure they are accurate, legally compliant, and appropriately redact sensitive information where required.
• Maintain accurate records and reporting on FOI activity.

Skills

FOI requests

Housing knowledge

FOI legislation

Communication

Local authority

Data Protection

Tools

Case management system

Job description

Freedom of Information Officer

Temporary (12 months), Full Time

£20.00 - £25.00 per hour

Location: Harlow - Essex

Closing Date: 7th September 2026

We are seeking a knowledgeable and detail-oriented Freedom of Information (FOI) Officer to join our team. This role is pivotal in ensuring the organisation meets its statutory obligations under the Freedom of Information Act and related legislation. With a significant proportion of requests relating to housing services, this role will particularly benefit from a strong understanding of the housing function within local government. The successful candidate will be highly organised, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. You will be confident communicating with a wide range of stakeholders and have a proactive, solutions-focused approach.

Accountabilities

• Act as the first point of contact for all incoming Freedom of Information requests
• Triage requests effectively, ensuring they are directed to the appropriate service areas for response
• Monitor and track requests to ensure compliance with statutory deadlines
• Provide guidance and support to internal stakeholders on FOI processes and requirements
• Review responses to ensure they are accurate, legally compliant, and appropriately redact sensitive information where required
• Maintain accurate records and reporting on FOI activity

The Experience You Will Bring

• Demonstrable experience in handling Freedom of Information requests
• Strong knowledge of housing services within a local government context
• Sound understanding of FOI legislation and a general awareness of legal principles relating to information governance
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to assess, triage, and manage requests efficiently and accurately
• Experience working within a local authority setting
• Knowledge of related legislation (e.g. Data Protection / GDPR, Environmental Information Regulations)
• Experience using case management or records systems

Recruitment is done in line with safe recruitment practices. We are an equal opportunity agency