Foi Case Officer

**FOI Case Officer**
**043649**

**Organisation**
- Information Governance

**Job**
- Compliance / Governance

**Position Type**
- Full Time

**Job Title**: FOI Case Officer
**Salary**: Up to £36,000 per annum (Dependant on experience)
**Location**:London (Hybrid)
**Duration**: Permanent

**Job Overview**

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Transport for London’s (TfL’s) dedicated Freedom of Information Case Management Team. The team are responsible for processing requests submitted under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIRs) that span every business unit of TfL and each of its subsidiary companies, totaling over 3,000 requests a year.

In this role you will be required to:

- Present a professional and courteous impression of the Information Governance team (to the business and to applicants)
- Promote and provide expert advice on compliance with relevant policies and best practice
- Support the business in continuing a culture of good information management and be accountable for the efficient and effective preparation of replies to FOI and EIR requests in accordance with the agreed process.

**Key Accountabilities**
- Manage a caseload of complex information access requests (which can include up to 50 open cases at any one time) and draft and issue responses to these requests, incorporating relevant contributions received from the business, which are fully compliant with the requirements of the FOIA and EIRs, ensuring that internal processes are followed and statutory deadlines are met
- Identify those information access requests which fall within the scope of the FOIA and EIRs, explain the associated statutory requirements to applicable areas of the business and obtain appropriate input and material from the business in order to prepare a response
- Liaise with applicants to help clarify their request(s) and to provide appropriate advice and assistance as required by the FOIA and EIRs
- Carry out relevant administrative tasks which support the efficient processing of information access requests (e.g. logging and acknowledging new requests; creating and maintaining case files and tracking notes; etc.)
- Liaise with key internal and external stakeholders to make them aware of particularly sensitive requests, provide guidance and advice on information access legislation and where appropriate, obtain their views on the potential impact of the disclosure of associated information

**Key Interfaces**

**Internal**:Colleagues from within the Information Governance department; colleagues up to Director level responsible for information which has been requested under the FOI Act or the EIRs; contributors in business areas responsible for the co-ordination of input into FOI or EIR replies; Press Office and MDs’ offices to seek clearance for draft replies

**External**: Members of the public and stakeholders (media, elected representatives, TU) making FOI and EIR requests, FOI case officers in the GLA, MPS and Boroughs

**Skills, Knowledge & Experience**

**Knowledge**
- TfL’ s organisational and functional structure, including its various modes and subsidiaries
- Detailed knowledge of the FOIA and EIRs, as well as all associated information access legislation
- The principles of good information management
- Understanding of TfL’s strategy and organisational objectives

**Skills**
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to draft accurate, concise and well-structured correspondence in high volumes
- The ability to collate, interpret and present complex information in a coherent and meaningful way
- The ability to consider and make an informed decision on applicable exemptions within the FOIA/EIRs, in accordance with the appropriate legislation
- The ability to explain the requirements of legislation, policies and procedures to colleagues at all levels (up to and including Directors)
- Good numeracy skills, including the ability to analyse and interpret statistical/financial data
- Excellent administrative and IT skills.

**Experience**
- Responsibility for managing and responding to FOIA/EIR requests
- Using Adobe Acrobat and Outlook; Word; Excel; Internet Explorer
- Liaising with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders
- Processing requests for information and undertaking associated administrative tasks within an information governance environment
- Working within a team and building positive relationships and team dynamics
- Setting and adjusting multiple priorities in a dynamic environment with mínimal supervision.

**Equality and Diversity**

**Application Process**

**Benefits**

In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the business area but mostly include:

- Final salary pension scheme
- Free travel for you on the TfL network
- A 75% discount on National Rail Season Ticket and interest free loan