Information Governance Assistant

CANAL & RIVER TRUST; United States; Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Increased holiday entitlement

Employee benefits

Job summary

Canal & River Trust is seeking an Information Governance Assistant to support UK GDPR, FOI and information governance across the Trust. You will assist with information requests, maintain governance records, and support Microsoft 365 records management while promoting best practices in data protection.

The role requires strong organisational and communication skills, with the ability to work autonomously and collaboratively within the Assurance Team.

Qualifications

• Experience in information governance or data protection is desirable but not essential.
• Strong IT skills in an Office 365 environment.
• Excellent organisational, time-management, and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to work autonomously while also supporting wider team priorities.

Responsibilities

• Assist with day-to-day management of statutory information requests under UK GDPR, FOIA and EIR.
• Provide advice on data protection, information governance and statutory requests across the Trust.
• Undertake Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and assist with data breach investigations.
• Assist with annual data protection compliance reviews and Information Asset Register maintenance.
• Support Information Architecture and Information Management in Office 365 and promote governance training.

Skills

Information governance

Data protection

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Teamwork

Time management

Tools

Office 365

Job description

Information Governance Assistant

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.

Join Our Team: Information Governance Assistant

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

Join our Assurance Team as an Information Governance Assistant.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting compliance with UK GDPR, Freedom of Information (FOI) and wider information governance requirements across the Trust. The successful candidate will help manage information requests, maintain governance records, support records management within Microsoft 365, provide guidance to colleagues, and promote best practice in data protection and information management. We are looking for a highly organised individual with excellent communication skills and a genuine interest in information governance and compliance.

Working Hours & Location

This role follows 37 hours, Monday to Friday working pattern. The vacancy will be offered on a remote working basis, with a requirement to attend our main hub spaces as and when required.

Role Overview

The Information Governance assistant will assist 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.

Key Responsibilities

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

• Experience in information governance or data protection is desirable but not essential.
• Experience applying specialist legislative knowledge within a regulatory/governance environment, using strong analytical and decision-making skills to achieve compliant outcomes.
• 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.
• Understanding of assessing risks and making adjustments to work practices where appropriate

What We Offer

In addition to your annual base salary of£28,200. We alsooffer a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here:EVP - 1.

Learn more: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits

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Our values

We care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone can thrive. 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 want everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best during our recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments - whether for a disability, neurodiversity, or health condition - please let us know what you need and how we can support you. We’ll work with you to make any necessary changes.

All of our jobs can be considered on a part time, flexible or job share basis.

We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. You are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. We recognise not everyone who is classified as disabled under the Equality Act personally identifies this way, or with this definition of disability. Please do not let this discourage you from applying under the scheme.

At Canal & River Trust, we are committed to fair, transparent, and ethical recruitment practices. As part of our hiring process, we may use AI to analyse applications and support us work more efficiently. However, all hiring decisions – without exception – are made by our hiring managers.

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

Job Details

• Pay Type: Salary
• Hiring Min Rate: 28,200 GBP
• Hiring Max Rate: 28,200 GBP