Senior Policy Officer - Public Affairs

Information Commissioner's Office; London; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

The Information Commissioner's Office is looking for a Senior Policy Officer who will play a vital role in influencing information rights legislation and engaging with high-profile stakeholders. This role requires a strong analytical ability, problem-solving skills, and the capacity to work under pressure. The successful candidate will help maintain relationships across various government levels and prepare complex written work while contributing to crucial policy developments.

Benefits

25 days paid holiday per year

Flexi leave up to 26 additional days

Pension with employer contribution around 28.9%

Online discount scheme

Health Cash Plan

Development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in data protection or Freedom of Information legislation.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to negotiate.
• Experience in engaging with high-profile stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with government departments and civil society.
• Prepare written documents for senior leaders and consultations.
• Represent the ICO at external events and stakeholder meetings.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Problem-Solving

Negotiation

Education

Relevant Academic or Vocational Qualifications

Job description

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Senior Policy Officer - Public Affairs, London

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Client:

Location:

London, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

73e12e80a04c

Job Views:

3

Posted:

29.06.2025

Expiry Date:

13.08.2025

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Job Description:

Senior Policy Officer

Salary: £42,593- £48,245, with potential for further progression to £54,317 with our pay progression scheme.

Location: Hybrid

Contracted to our Wilmslow or London office, however, we offer flexible home and office-based working opportunities. There will be times when you will be expected to attend the office to collaborate with colleagues or travel due to business need.

Why work for the ICO?

Hybrid and flexible working options.

25 days paid holiday per year, plus privilege and public holidays.

Flexi leave (up to 26 additional days leave per year).

Pension (employer contribution around 28.9%).

Online discount scheme to save money at major supermarkets, retailers, gyms, restaurants, insurance providers and many more.

Health Cash Plan.

Fantastic development opportunities to learn and progress.

Further details can be found on the benefits section of our .

Job summary

The Public Affairs (Parliament and Government Affairs) team lead on influencing government departments, policy makers, Parliamentarians and civil society who have the most impact on the ICO’s remit of information rights, privacy and transparency.

We focus our effort and resources on the issues that matter the most to the public, from AI to children’s privacy. We build relationships with stakeholders to gather insights to inform our work, influence legislation and some of the most high-profile policy issues of the day and to improve compliance within key government departments.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the independent regulator of information rights. In a data-driven world, we provide advice, guidance, and support to organisations enabling compliance with their obligations, as well as protecting individuals and their personal data.

As an employer, we are passionate about making a positive difference to the lives and careers of our people, and we empower you to be curious, impactful, collaborative and respectful.

As a Senior Policy Officer you will combine your knowledge of data protection legislation with knowledge of your stakeholders and political context. You will take responsibility for complex policy and engagement outputs, undertaking research and policy development and provide advice and guidance. This can also include being a primary source of contact for stakeholders at a senior level.

Key responsibilities:

Build and maintain relationships with high-profile stakeholders including government departments, policy makers, Parliamentarians and civil society.

Prepare complex written work including briefing documents for the Commissioner and senior leaders, responses to consultations and Parliamentary inquiries, preparing senior leaders for meetings and providing detailed advice to Government on emerging issues and legislation.

Representing the ICO to external stakeholders and at selected events, including speaking engagements and meetings with internal and external stakeholders at senior levels, leading and influencing their thinking and policy developments.

Contribute to internal and external research, leading as appropriate.

Develop expertise in information rights legislation and practice, keeping abreast of developments in Information Rights legislation and regulations. Be conversant with other related legislation and political, social and legal developments and context relevant to the ICO and our stakeholders.

Develop the ICO’s relationship with assigned stakeholders across Parliament and central government, civil society and within political parties, influencing these at a senior level in a way consistent with the ICO corporate and business plan objectives; develop the ICO’s stakeholder mapping across each of these sectors; Promoting information rights; identifying problems, demonstrating good practice and developing solutions.

Person specification

Essential criteria assessed at application stage:

Experience relevant to the role requirements, as described in the role responsibilities and person specification, and accumulated through any combination of academic or vocational qualifications or experience.

Experience of applying data protection, Freedom of Information or similarly complex legislation

Excellent intellectual ability in order to analyse complex legislation and information

The ability to use good judgement and problem solving skills in order to take high profile decisions.

Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate and maintain good relationships with senior officials in assigned stakeholder areas

Ability to work under pressure and to handle large workloads

An awareness of the wider democratic, political and organisational framework in the UK or overseas as appropriate

Essential criteria assessed during interview:

Excellent intellectual ability in order to analyse complex legislation and information

The ability to use good judgement and problem solving skills in order to take high profile decisions.

Strong verbal communication and presentation skills

Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate and maintain good relationships with senior officials in assigned stakeholder areas

Ability to work under pressure and to handle large workloads

Self-motivated, ability to work on own initiative and as a member of a team

Ability to use standard office IT packages

Ability to travel to meetings and events in the UK and occasionally overseas (possibly outside office hours)

An awareness of the wider democratic, political and organisational framework in the UK or overseas as appropriate

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

The ICO is committed to promoting and enhancing equality, diversity, and inclusion. We are focused on developing a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve and together we are building an inclusive workplace where all of our colleagues have the opportunity to make a real difference. We are championing this through our Equality Diversity and Inclusion Board together with a number of staff networks. Read more about our commitment on our website.

Candidates with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for this vacancy will be invited to interview as part of the ICO’s commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme.

If you are disabled or have an impairment and require an alternative application method, please email the HR team at k

Closing Date

Please submit yourCV by23:59, 13 July

We reserve the right to close this vacancy before this date should we receive sufficient applications. Please apply as soon as possible to ensure your application is considered.