About the role
The Data Protection Officer (DPO) is a Statutory Post and has overall responsibility for the Information Governance Team within the organisation. This role has two direct reports: the Information Requests Manager and the Deputy Data Protection Officer. The DPO reports to the Director of Customer & Governance / Monitoring Officer.
The Information Governance Team has two core functions: the Information Requests Team which handles the day-to-day requests under information legislation; and the Data Protection Team which is responsible for the organisation’s compliance and transparency obligations under the Data Protection Act 2018/ukGDPR.
The DPO is an independent role which provides specialist expert advice and support to the organisation including elected members; monitors its compliance; informs and advises on its legal data protection obligations; and monitors the organisation’s performance in relation to Data Protection matters.
What will you be doing?
You will deliver an efficient and compliant Information Governance service to the organisation. You will be the principal contact providing specialist advice and guidance throughout the organisation and to elected members regarding data protection matters.
You will:
- Maintain professional and effective working relationships throughout the organisation to ensure all directorates are aware of, and meet their obligations under data protection
- Provide day to day line management, development and support to the post’s two direct reports, and provide overall support to the small but friendly IG Team
- Develop and implement the new unitary authority’s Strategic Information Governance Framework, working with the Corporate Leadership Team, partner organisations, and both internal and external stakeholders
- Be the overall responsible officer for partnership working with the NHS in relation to patient data and fulfilling the organisation’s obligations under the NHS Digital Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT)
- Assist the organisation with its responsibility to deliver the Integrated Care System concerned with improving the care, health and wellbeing provision across the North Northamptonshire
- Have overall responsibility and accountability of the IG Team’s expenditure and will ensure budgets are maintained and available funds are spent appropriately
- Be the overall responsible officer for ensuring appropriate policies, procedures and training material are available to support the organisation’s compliance with all relevant legislation
- Main point of contact for the Information Commissioner’s Office
- Conduct regular data security and protection audits to maximise data safety
About you
You will:
- Be educated to a higher level in a relevant area eg. law, information governance (degree level qualification or equivalent) or relevant extensive practical experience
- Have an industry recognised qualification in Data Protection at Practitioner Level
- Have excellent communication and organisation skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels
- Demonstrate that you have and are able to take responsibility for data protection and privacy in a comparable organisation
- Be proactive and take a pragmatic approach in pressurised situations
- Be positive to new ideas and able to adapt to changes as the new unitary authority grows
- Be happy to work in a hybrid way which will enable you to balance face to face working with the flexibility to work remotely
- Able to travel to various sites across the organisation – this will be occasional eg. team meetings
- You will find this job both challenging and rewarding, you will need to demonstrate previous experience as a DPO in a similar sized or comparable organisation
Our benefits
We offer:
- a competitive salary
- a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
- opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council
- generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
- agile and flexible working arrangements to help you with a healthy work-life balance.
About us
We are a new unitary council, established in April 2021; we are one of the largest unitary councils in the country. Our vision for North Northants is to be 'A place where everyone has the best opportunities and quality of life'.
Our priorities are:
- helping people live active fulfilled lives
- caring for our young people, providing them with high quality education and opportunities
- enabling a thriving and successful economy
- leading on a green and sustainable environment
- ensuring our communities are connected so they can shape their lives and where they live
- providing modern public services
Our values, as chosen by our staff, are - Customer-focused, Respectful, Efficient, Supportive and Trustworthy.
Your differences make us different - Achieve Together.
Attached documents
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