Senior IG Specialist – DPDP (Senior Information Specialist Analyst)

Flexible Location: Based throughout Scotland, NES is a remote friendly employer supporting office and hybrid working. We’re happy to talk about how you want to work.

Work Pattern: Fixed Term, Full Time, 37 hours per week

Fixed-term or Secondment until 31 March 2026

• For NHS applicants, an NHS secondment will be offered in the first instance. For non-NHS applicants, a fixed-term or secondment would be considered.

You must have eligibility and entitlement to work in the UK which is required to be maintained throughout your period of employment.

Who We Are

NHS Education for Scotland (NES) is the national health board with statutory responsibilities to effect sustainable change through workforce development, education and training across the health and social care system in Scotland, while working at UK level with partner organisations.

The function of NES Technology Service is to develop and lead a programme of work and services that supports both the corporate functions that allow NES to work and deliver its strategic objective and to deliver against Scotland's Digital Health and Care Strategy.

NES Technology Service (NTS) has been formed with the specific objective of consolidating NES’ information-based expertise into a professional, focused centre for information and technical excellence.

It has created a strategic programme for the transformation of digital based services to allow NES to become a leading digital organisation in Scottish Health, digital by default and fully aligned with the Scottish Government’s technology strategies.

These responsibilities relate to the core functions of NES in the following areas:

• Design, development, and operation of a technical environment and commensurate digital services to all NHS Scotland, Scottish Government and Care Sector stakeholders.
• Support and development of fit for purpose technology systems and services to allow delivery of national strategic outcomes.
• Communication, support, and leadership in all digital and technology disciplines.
• Impact assessment of new technology services and systems.
• Research and development as appropriate.

The Opportunity

To enable delivery of the NES Strategy 2023-2026, and assist NTS in our contribution to delivering against the Scottish Government Digital Health and Care Strategy and Data Strategy, NTS is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Information Governance Senior Specialist (Data Protection) to provide specialist support to the Digital Prescribing & Dispensing Pathways (DPDP) Programme within NES.

Do you want to play a key role in ensuring the delivery of a robust foundation for the accountability, transparency, and secure use of personal identifiable data in the delivery of essential health and care digital systems?

Do you want to improve the security and use of personal identifiable data?

Do you enjoy working in a multi-disciplinary team at the edge of technological innovations?

Do you want to play a key role in ensuring that citizens data in the NHSScotland is appropriately processed and securely and lawfully used?

Do you want to play an important role in delivering the NES Strategy, Digital Health and Care Strategy and Data Strategy for Scotland?

Working within the NTS Information Governance & Assurance Team you will have the opportunity to provide expert Senior Information Governance Practitioner support to the DPDP programme, which will directly inform the development and delivery of such programmes from a data privacy aspect.

What We Love To See

Senior Specialists in Information Governance/Data Protection who can offer a broad range of skills and experience, if you can offer some or all of these, we’d love you to apply:

• Proven experience in design, implementation and evaluation of business/management processes and systems from a data protection compliance perspective.
• Proven experience of working with digital and technology teams, and the ability to understand technical language.
• A clear understanding of Privacy Legislation, with the ability to draft comprehensive data protection impact assessments.
• Highly experienced in working in the field of Information Governance and Data Protection.
• Highly effective communicator knowing how to make complex technical information and language simple for diverse senior and external stakeholders (both verbally and in writing).
• Ability to collaborate effectively and build networks and communities of practice.
• Demonstrate honesty, integrity, care and compassion when dealing with others, utilising tact and persuasion skills when necessary.
• Ability to work on own initiative, to organise and prioritise own workloads, to meet strict deadlines.

Benefits Which Matter

As a valued employee of NHS Scotland, you can enjoy an extensive range of benefits including:

• Life-work balance - with opportunities for flexible working and hybrid working.
• Generous NHS pension scheme.
• Annual incremental salary progression (up to the maximum of the salary band) plus annual NHS salary scale review.
• Annual Leave - 27 Days increasing in line with service plus 8 days public holiday.
• NHS discounts and more.

Diversity and Inclusion

Developing a successful national service for Scotland is impossible without ensuring we consider the diverse needs, perspectives and backgrounds of everyone in Scotland in our work.

We are focused on hiring the very best talent available for NES, and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and aim to ensure everyone is treated fairly, with respect and has a positive recruitment experience – regardless of the outcome.

It’s not essential to be in Information Governance/Data Protection role right now. You may be returning from a career break (e.g. maternity, paternity, caring for others) or returning after working in another field. Your experiences elsewhere can bring a fresh perspective to our work.

If you are considering applying and feel it would be helpful to discuss this initially, please contact Tracey Gill, Principal Analyst (Data Protection Officer), NTS tracey.gill@nhs.scot.

Next Steps

• NHS candidates will be considered firstly on a secondment basis, and so are strongly encouraged to discuss this with their current NHS employer at the earliest opportunity, ideally prior to application.

Our recruitment process is currently 100% remote and if successful you would initially work remotely, working from our offices as operationally required.

All applicants who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail.

Online interviews (including a presentation) will take place on Wednesday 14 May – Monday 19 May 2025. The presentation topic will be sent to candidates selected for interview.

For further information please refer to the Job Information Pack below. Unless otherwise stated the deadline for applications is 23:59 hours on the closing date. Please note, CVs will not be accepted.

If you have any queries regarding the NHS Scotland National Recruitment Portal or the recruitment process, please don't hesitate to contact our recruitment partners, the East Region Recruitment Service, at: EoS.ERRS@nhs.scot.