ABOUT US

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.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Are you interested in privacy, transparency and rights?
Do you think information about people should be protected properly?
Do you have excellent analytical and communication skills and a good understanding of the Northern Irish political, policy and legislative landscape?
You will support colleagues to represent the ICO within Northern Ireland and hold key stakeholder relationships. The Northern Ireland team plays a crucial role in ensuring the ICO delivers its statutory functions and strategic objectives in Northern Ireland and provides expert advice on NI public affairs, legislation and policy to internal colleagues. As a member of the NI team, you will support senior colleagues to deal with some of the most high profile issues of the day and major public policy. Issues that you will work on within the NI context will include AI, biometrics, data sharing and children’s privacy.
The Lead Policy Officer will manage a portfolio of specific stakeholder relationships within Northern Ireland to the benefit of the ICO and provide them with a professional, proactive and unified service (involving other ICO colleagues as issues dictate). They will provide support to senior colleagues on key strategic relationships.

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To develop and manage the ICO’s relationship with specified stakeholders in Northern Ireland, influencing them in a way consistent with the ICO corporate and local business plan objectives.
• To support colleagues in their work dealing with critical and significant relationships and issues in Scotland.
• To represent the ICO at external meetings and events with specified stakeholders including speaking engagements.
• To provide advice on compliance to specified stakeholders.
• To contribute to the development of ICO guidance and other products where Northern Irish specific content is required.
• To support senior colleagues in undertaking statutory consultations on legislative proposals that involve the processing of personal data.
• To collaborate with cross office colleagues as required to help ensure a joined up approach to identifying and addressing issues for action in Northern Ireland and to ensure that ICO initiatives are successful in Northern Ireland.
• To identify systemic practices that fail to deliver good information rights outcomes in ICO priority areas and causes and propose and promote solutions in collaboration with colleagues.
• To contribute to the development of the ICO’s strategy and business plan for the Northern Ireland team.
• To understand the relevant legislation and political, social and legal developments that impact on stakeholders or on information rights more generally.
• To provide support as necessary to the Support Officer in all aspects of their work and substitute for them in their absence.
• To undertake any other duties required to assist with the team’s effective operation.