Information Governance Assistant

Canal and River Trust; Remote; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK charity for waterways is seeking a Data Support Administrator to assist with statutory information requests, compliance reviews, and data protection impact assessments. This remote role requires strong governance regulation experience and excellent IT skills, particularly in Office 365. The ideal candidate will have a proactive attitude and possess analytical skills to ensure compliance with UK legislation. A competitive salary of £27,000 plus various employee benefits is offered. Join a passionate team making a difference in the community.

Benefits

Competitive contributory pension scheme

25 days paid holiday, increasing to 30

Flexible working arrangements

Free access to counselling services

Employee discounts and fishing facilities

Paid volunteering leave

Qualifications

• Experience in governance regulation or data protection.
• Understanding of compliance with FOI and EIR.
• Ability to work autonomously and in a team.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist with statutory information requests under UK GDPR.
• Support the Information Governance Manager in compliance reviews.
• Help in developing Info Governance training material.
• Conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments and breach investigations.

Skills

Governance regulation experience

Data protection knowledge

Analytical skills

Strong IT skills in Office 365

Proactive initiative

Communication skills

Job description

About the Trust

We're one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water. We’re looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Could this be you?

Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country’s third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year.

Our team & opportunity

Our Information Governance Assistance will aid with the day‑to‑day Trust compliance with FOI, EIR and data protection legislation. Supporting the Information Governance Manager and Information Governance Advisor in reviewing documentation of processing activities to ensure compliance and help drive good information governance.

This is an extremely busy role working within the remit of the legislation governing this work e.g.: Freedom of Information Act 2000, UK GDPR.

Location & coverage

Our Data Support Administrator will be offered on a remote working basis, with a requirement to attend our main hub spaces as and when required for team working and collaborative meetings. The regularity & flexibility of travel will be discussed further at interview stage. Hubs include; Leeds, Ellesmere Port, Burnley, Newark, Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Gloucester, London. See our canal network here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network.

About the role

Statutory Information Requests

• Assist the Information Governance Advisor with the day‑to‑day management of statutory information requests under UK GDPR, FOIA and EIR (e.g., liaising with colleagues to collate information for disclosure, recording requests, analysing the application of legislation, and drafting compliant responses).
• Provide advice on data protection, information governance, and statutory information requests across the Trust.

Data Protection Compliance

• Undertake Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs).
• Assist with data breach investigations.
• Assist with annual data protection compliance reviews (e.g., DPIAs, Records of Processing Activities, Information Asset Register).
• Support the work of GDPR Information Asset Owners.
• Assist in reviewing data protection policies and procedures.

Information Management & Office 365

• Assist with Information Architecture and the Electronic Document Management System in Microsoft Office 365 (e.g., data classification, data loss prevention).
• Assist in developing and maintaining appropriate levels of Trust-wide data protection and information governance training and awareness.

Administration & Team Support

• Support the delivery of efficient administrative duties, such as maintaining spreadsheets and filing to a high standard.
• Support the team with any other duties as required.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

• Ensure that diversity and inclusion are embedded into all aspects of Trust activity, promoting inclusive practice and challenging behaviours or decisions that do not align with the Trust’s policies and values.

About you

Technical

• Experience in governance regulation or data protection. Hands on knowledge relating to Freedom of Information (FOI) & Environmental Information Regulations (EIR).
• Experience applying specialist legislative knowledge within a regulatory/governance environment, using strong analytical and decision‑making skills to achieve compliant outcomes.
• Experience undertaking Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA) as part of wider internal compliance audits.
• Understanding data sensitivity in regulatory environment's.
• Understanding of assessing risks and making adjustments to work practices where appropriate.

General

• Proactive, with the ability to use initiative.
• Able to work autonomously while also demonstrating a strong commitment to teamwork and an understanding of wider team and organisational priorities.
• Approachable and accessible, with the ability to build trust and strong working relationships across the organisation, and confidence in dealing with colleagues at all levels.
• Good knowledge of systems and software, with strong IT skills in an Office 365 environment.
• Excellent organisational, time‑management, and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to work accurately under pressure, prioritise effectively, and meet tight deadlines.
• Appreciation of record‑keeping best practice.
• Understanding of the importance of compliance with Trust Health & Safety policies and defined standards, including reporting incidents, accidents, and near misses.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

What we offer

In addition to your annual base salary of £27,000, a competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, and numerous other employee benefits, including several salary sacrifice benefits we are also open to flexible working arrangements.

• Competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, where we will double your contribution to a maximum of 10%.
• 25 days paid holiday (plus paid Bank Holidays), increasing to 30 days after 5 years.
• Home working status with 'hub' facilities available should you need the flexibility to work outside of home.
• Free access to specialist counselling on a range of issues, e.g. health, financial, well‑being and domestic matters.
• Access to a range of employee benefits including store discounts, boating holiday discounts and holiday purchase scheme.
• 2 days paid volunteering leave per annum, allowing you to volunteer for a local community project etc.
• Free fishing facilities across our canal network.

We care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We strongly believe that a diverse workforce brings with it a diversity of ideas, thinking and ways of working which enhances what we do as a Trust. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. All roles are considered on a flexible working arrangement basis, and we welcome requests for reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and employment. If you require any adjustments or have specific needs, please let us know - we’re here to support you.

All candidates will be treated on the basis of their merits, skills and abilities and solely by being assessed against the requirements for the job.

At the Trust, we empower our people to flow and thrive both on and off the water. Our colleagues enjoy a variety of benefits that enhance their lives while working in a place that positively impacts others. We take pride in our people, protecting heritage and preserving wildlife, and we’re all about the future of our colleagues and the future generations who love and use our network. Inspired by people, we harness the different ways of working and thinking, ensuring our teams grow and reach their full potential.

Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.

Find out more about us on our website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us