Head of Information Rights

Role Purpose

Are you an excellent leader and people manager who has a sound understanding of the evolving information rights policy landscape across government and the accompanying legislative context? Are you looking for a new challenge working at the heart of the justice system?

We are looking for a motivated and collaborative individual to join Security and Information Directorate (SID) within the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).

As Head of Information Access, in the Information Services Division (ISD, which sits in SID), you will support the MoJ on delivering on its transparency obligations and carefully balancing this with the need to protect sensitive information. You will contribute to the effective running and decision-making of the Division. You will be working in a fast-paced environment, balancing competing demands, and delivering challenging objectives.

This is a challenging and fast-paced role that would be suited to an individual with outstanding information access knowledge and interpersonal skills. The successful candidate will need the ability to strategically lead teams with competing demands and deadlines, across a wide spectrum of work, building relationships quickly across key partners to support delivery. They will also be responsible for generating a positive team culture and shared sense of purpose on their team.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Skills and experience

Essential skills and experience:

• Thorough understanding of the Freedom of Information Act (2000); this will include but not be restricted to:

o a strong understanding of the exemption provisions provided under the FOI Act and how they will apply to the Department’s information

o a good understanding of the application of Public Interest Tests to present balanced and convincing arguments

• A sound understanding of the Data Protection Act (2018), including:

o a sound understanding of the administration of Subject Access Requests under both Part 2 and Part 3;

o a thorough understanding of GDPR compliance requirements for public authorities.

• Experience in leading and working in a public sector organisation, in a KIM function with responsibility for the leadership of an FOI, EIR and SARs casework team including the identification and mitigation of compliance risks to successfully meet departmental obligations under the DPA 2018 and FOIA.
• Proven track record of leading and motivating large, diverse teams with experience of improving engagement and service delivery responsiveness
• Experience of developing ambitious visions and strategies based on benefits and setting out persuasive arguments that secure organisational buy-in and translate them into deliverable goals
• A thorough understanding of risk and Issue management with an intrinsic ability to spot problems and resolve or escalate at the right time when necessary.
• Ability to develop clearly articulated, sound proposals to tackle new and complex issues through analysis of multiple and potentially conflicting information sources, including stakeholders’ views and applying appropriate governance procedures including delivery assurance.
• Experience of managing a budget and conducting effective workforce planning and the successful delivery of service as well as value for money through third party suppliers.
• Experience of leading teams through change to achieve results and managing multi-disciplinary teams.
• The ability to clearly define processes and set targets, so everyone understands and owns their roles, responsibilities and legal and regulatory standards are maintained.
The skill to progress and achieve information access outcomes by, building positive relationships and maintaining a network of contacts and w
• necessary challenging others’ assumptions and/or compromising to ensure outcomes are delivered.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to speak with authority when dealing with senior officials, leaders, minister and SpAds.
• Tact and discretion, particularly in supporting the deputy director’s responsibilities in respect of sensitive issues and work.
• Experience of working at pace, under pressure, and of taking decisions in a fast-moving environment.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Experience in transforming and continually improving their team’s service to deliver efficiencies, value for money, and deliver against legislation for the public and our service users.

Desirable Experience:

• Holds a knowledge and information management professional qualification or membership of a professional body e.g. Archives and Records Association (ARA), Chartered Institute of Librarians and Information Professionals (CILIP) or Information and Records Management Society (IRMS).

Security clearance level: SC

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements w business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity).

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, w they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

T is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. T are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

• A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

• To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [email protected]);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team ([email protected]);
To the Civil Service Commission (details available
• )

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wver it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

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) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
• 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 (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [email protected]

Please quote the job reference - 8853

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [email protected]

Please quote the job reference

• JD Head of Information Rights.docx (Job Description Attachment)
  
  

Select new file