JOB DESCRIPTION

We are recruiting a Principal Policy Adviser to lead the ICO’s statutory Code of Practice on AI and Automated Decision-Making (ADM). This Code will ensure that AI-driven services and automated decision-making systems comply with data protection, respect individuals’ rights and bring wider benefits to society and the economy, while translating legal requirements into clear obligations and practical guidance that provide certainty for organisations.
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.
You will be accountable for planning and delivering the statutory process from start to finish – including consultation, expert input, impact assessment and Commissioner approval – and for producing a Code that commands confidence from government, industry and civil society.
This is an opportunity to take forward one of the ICO’s most significant external commitments, influencing national and international practice on AI and ADM, and ensuring fairness, transparency and accountability are embedded in systems that affect millions of people.

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:

• Lead the end-to-end development of the statutory Code of Practice, including scoping, drafting, consultation, expert panel oversight, impact assessments and approvals.
• Provide expert insight and translate UK GDPR and DPA 2018 requirements into clear, actionable provisions covering concepts such as fairness, transparency and accountability in relation to AI and ADM.
• Proactively develop legislative and technical expertise, commissioning research and analysing socio-economic and equality impacts to ensure provisions are proportionate, evidence-based and defensible.
• Produce high-quality draft code text, consultation papers, supporting guidance and implementation tools in accessible language.
• Build and maintain excellent relationships with internal and external stakeholders, representing the ICO in a variety of forums, and negotiating with senior stakeholders to shape and communicate clear policy lines.
• Manage legal and delivery risks, ensure statutory requirements are met, and provide strategic advice and timely, high-quality briefings to the Commissioner and senior leadership team.
• Design the post-publication support offer (sector notes, toolkits, webinars) and define success measures and review triggers.
• Represent the ICO publicly, ensuring its approach to AI and ADM is understood and trusted in domestic and international fora.
• Work closely with legal, policy, analysis, supervision, technology and communications colleagues to ensure the Code aligns with the ICO’s wider regulatory strategy.