Information Governance Assistant

Coventry City Council; Coventry; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Coventry City Council is seeking an Information Governance Assistant to support data protection and information rights. You will be the first point of contact for requests under the Freedom of Information Act, Environmental Information Regulations and individuals' requests about their personal data.

You will log, validate and follow up requests, provide guidance to the public and colleagues, and work with the Information Governance Team to ensure timely disclosure while maintaining

Qualifications

• Strong customer service and IT skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience handling data and presenting findings.
• Team player who is also a self-starter.

Responsibilities

• Act as the first point of contact for public access to information under the Freedom of Information Act, Environmental Information Regulations and for individuals making requests about their personal data (Subject Access Requests).
• Log, validate and follow up requests, working with colleagues in the Information Governance Team.
• Provide advice to the public, colleagues and partners on information rights and information sharing.
• Prepare information for disclosure and ensure requests are managed within legal timescales.
• Handle phone and email inquiries into the Information Governance team.

Skills

Customer service

IT skills

Oral and written communication

Data handling and presenting findings

Job description

Our Values

In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.

Our Values

In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.

Our Values are:

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.

The Information Governance Team plays a key role in the Council’s corporate governance arrangements, helping the Council to protect the personal data that the organisation holds and making sure it meets its legal obligations. The busy team supports the Council in meeting the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018, UK GDPR and other legislation, protecting personal data and ensuring that information rights are upheld. The team works closely together providing support, advice and guidance to the Council through working with services across the organisation and in partner organisations.

What is the job role?

We are looking for an Information Governance Assistant to join our team to support the Council’s responsibilities for data protection and information rights.

This role plays an important part in helping the Council meet its statutory responsibilities for protecting data and meeting information rights. You will be the first point of contact for public access to information under the Freedom of Information Act, Environmental Information Regulations and for individuals making requests about the personal data that the Council holds about them primarily Subject Access Requests. You will also be responsible for managing phone calls and emails received into the Information Governance team. Meeting these fundamental rights and helping ensure openness and transparency is both rewarding and challenging.

You will ensure appropriate processes are followed to log, validate and follow up requests, working with colleagues in the Information Governance Team across the Council to provide advice and guidance and prepare information for disclosure. You will liaise with and provide advice to members of the public, colleagues and partners on information rights, information sharing, ensuring requests are managed appropriately and dealt with within legal timescales.

All candidates must have the Right to Work in the UK. We are currently not offering sponsorship for this role.

Who are we looking for?

You will understand the requirements for managing and protecting information and the ability to maintain the confidentiality and security of data at all times. You will have experience of working to legislative requirements, ideally in information governance.

You will be able to follow processes accurately, reviewing and updating documents and spreadsheets. You will work closely with other team members and Council colleagues, organising your own workload to meet agreed timescales. You will be able to give clear advice and communicate effectively with members of the public, colleagues and partners.

We are looking for someone who:

• has strong customer service and IT skills
• has good oral and written communication skills
• has experience in handling data and presenting findings
• is a good team player and also a self-starter

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

If you wish to discuss this role further, please contact Preeti Mistry on 024 7697 1736.

As part of the recruitment process, selected candidates will be invited to an informal telephone discussion ahead of the interview stage.

Interview date: 24 September 2026.

About Coventry

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.

We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.

At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies.

Attached documents

• Job Description & Person Specification - Information Governance Assistant.pdf
• Coventry City Council Application Process.pdf