Data Protection Specialist

About the role
The Data Protection Specialist role is part of the Data Protection Team, within the Information Governance Department. This is a small, but specialised team, which provides a centralised service to and for the organisation on information governance matters, in line with UK Data Protection Legislation (General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR), Data Protection Act 2018 and any other applicable data protection legislation).

The Data Protection Specialist role reports to the Deputy Data Protection Officer (Deputy DPO).

This role supports the development and implementation of the Information Governance Strategic Framework across the organisation.

What will you be doing?
You will:

- Support the Data Protection Officer (DPO) and the Deputy DPO in ensuring the organisation complies with its obligations under UK Data Protection Legislation, as well as adhering to internal and national standards; and following good practice in relation to information governance.
- Provide high quality information governance advice across the organisation, including but not limited to:

- Advising staff, contractors and elected members on data handling and data processing in line with UK Data Protection legislation;
- Supporting directorates in drawing up Data Sharing Agreements and / or external contracts or legal agreements with third parties; and
- Supporting directorates in the completion of Data Protection Impact Assessments and Privacy Notices.
- Support the organisations services in relation to data incidents; and advice on technical or organisational changes, to minimise immediate risks and mitigate future breaches.
- Assist with the development, review and implementation of policies and procedures in relation to Information Governance and Records Management.
- Contribute towards the completion of the Data Security & Protection Toolkit, to ensure the organisation reaches the required security levels to allow access to patient data.
- Assist the DPO and the Deputy DPO with the development and implementation of the Information Governance Strategy and Framework; to support the organisation in meeting its Information Governance obligations, to include: data flow maps, the organisation’s Information Asset Register and Record of Processing Activities, and data audits.
- Handle and / or assist in handling complex complaints received directly from a complainant or via the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO); conduct robust and thorough investigations and provide comprehensive responses.
- Keep up to date with changes in relevant legislation and best practice.
- Use your decision-making skills to interpret data protection legislation and ensure that the data protection principles are upheld and adhered to.
- Maintain effective working relationships across the organisation to ensure that all stakeholders understand and meet their responsibilities in the delivery of Data Protection.
- Assist the Data Requests Team as and when required, in particular with Subject Access Requests, ensuring statutory timeframes and obligations are met.
- Be responsible for your own caseload.
- Carry out the role in line with council policies, procedures and training material.
- Be working independently, with the ability to use your own initiative to produce work to high standard.
- Attend Team Meetings and contribute ideas and initiatives.

About you
You will:

- Be educated to A Level standard (or equivalent) or extensive practical experience in a relevant discipline.
- Experience of developing, reviewing, delivering, managing and recommending improvements in policies and procedures, controls, monitoring systems and performance to support effective information governance and data protection.
- Experience of completing Data Protection Impact Assessments, developing Data Sharing Agreements and Privacy Notices and understanding records management.
- Experience of investigating and reviewing Information Governance incidents, breaches and issues; and recommending measures to reduce recurrence.
- Recent experience of working in a similar role in a complex organisation.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; verbal, written / presentation and listening, with the ability to build effective relationships within and outside of the organisation.
- Be confident in communicating and providing advice.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects, and to prioritise workloads with tight and conflicting deadlines with minimum supervision.
- Be a methodical individual who enjoys team working. Equally you will be able to work with minimum supervision, be proactive and take a pragmatic approach in pressurised situations.
- Ability to make decisions independently.
- Ability to maintain high levels of performance under challenging conditions.

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