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 SUMMARY

The Technology Department is the ICO’s centre of technology policy and technical expertise. It specialises in developing novel policy and regulatory interventions in relation to new and emerging technologies. The department’s work is impactful and at the frontier technology and policy development.
We are recruiting a Principal Technology Advisor (PTA) who will provide expert technical input to the ICO’s work on online tracking and advertising technologies (Adtech). Our Online Tracking Strategy outlines our current projects and areas of focus.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Reporting to the Group Manager of the Online Tracking team, you will join a team of technology, policy and legal experts and lead our work on ensuring online tracking services and products comply with data protection law, respecting individuals’ rights and bringing wider benefits to society and the economy.
You will help the ICO respond to the use of these technologies by providing expert insight into how they work, how they are used, and the impact they can have. You will be able to assess other emerging technologies (for example Privacy Enhancing Technologies) enabling you to join the dots between a range of technological developments and their effect on society and the wider economy.
You may have relevant experience in the adtech industry with publishers, advertisers or wider parts of the supply chain.
You will enjoy substantial autonomy, often working directly with more senior colleagues, including members of the ICO Executive and Senior Leadership Teams, and will regularly provide advice and expertise in internal briefings and at external events and meetings. You may also work directly with external researchers or technologists, and industry for as part of this role.

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:

• As Principal Technology Advisor for Online Tracking you will have the following specific responsibilities:
• Provide expert input on the development and use of online tracking technologies. For example, contributing technical analysis to internal reports or policy papers.
• Anticipate and analyse future technological, political, social, legal developments in online tracking that impact on information rights, with a particular focus on the use of technologies in the adtech industry.
• Research, monitor and investigate the domain, keeping abreast of developments and their potential impact on information rights and the ICO. This will include technical reports that will inform ICO positions and engagements with legislators and industry.
• Lead forward-looking policy initiatives making a tangible contribution to shaping the information rights agenda and ensure the ICO engages with key technology decision makers, designers and influencers in the UK and internationally.
• Develop relationships with key actors in the field and ensure the ICO has a credible voice in discussions concerning the use of technologies to deliver personalised services and adtech, seeking opportunities to positively influence and change behaviours and practices. This may include industry trade bodies, for example.
• Represent the ICO in situations where expert advice or guidance is needed, eg meeting senior technical representative bodies and information rights interest groups, speaking at conferences, etc.
• Communicate complex technology policy issues to both technical and non-technical audiences. For example, supporting our investigation colleagues undertake their work.