Data Protection Officer

Are you seeking a challenging and fulfilling position in information governance? Do you possess the expertise to ensure adherence to data protection laws and industry best practices? If so, consider joining Buckinghamshire Council's Information Governance team as the Council's Data Protection Officer. Buckinghamshire Council is a unitary authority providing a wide range of services to more than half a million residents., The Information Governance, Complaints & Improvements service forms part of a wider Legal and Governance team, ensuring that the council meets its statutory responsibilities related to information management, data protection, freedom of information, and records management. Our efforts are strongly supported by our colleagues in Legal, Business Assurance, and Democratic teams.

We operate collaboratively and flexibly to provide high-quality advice and support to both internal and external customers. We value professionalism, integrity, and innovation, and we aim to foster a culture of excellence and awareness in information governance throughout the organisation.

The Information Governance (IG) team is led by the Head of Service and works together with the Complaints & Improvement team. The IG team comprises information governance specialists, case officers, and specialist social worker redactors. Additionally, the IG team oversees Information and Data management, with a dedicated manager and officers managing electronic and on/off-site storage of Council information.

As a successful and well-respected team within the Council, we are now exploring methods to enhance our handling of personal data. Specifically, we're seeking innovative approaches to improve oversight in managing personal data by incorporating insights from breach incident reports, data protection impact assessments, data sharing, and privacy practices

Amy Roscoe, Senior Information Governance Manager said - "Information Governance is a forward-thinking team that values trust, collaboration and innovation. Being part of the team presents many new challenges and opportunities and it is rewarding to work in an area where we can support service users, implement improvements and see the positive impact of our work.", You will be employed in a large and complex organisation that manages extensive personal data across various services and functions. You will engage with a diverse array of service users and partners, both internally and externally, contributing positively to the lives of Buckinghamshire residents. This role provides an opportunity to consider a vast array of Data Protection queries, ensuring you stay current with the latest updates and changes in data protection legislation, guidance, and best practices. You will receive support from a team of highly respected professionals who balance the need to protect personal data with the need to enable effective and efficient service delivery within an organisation that values your role.

As a Data Protection Officer, you will be instrumental in shaping, sustaining, and evaluating the council's information governance framework, strategy, policies, and procedures collaborating with colleagues from information governance, legal, and IT services when necessary. You will offer expert advice on intricate data protection issues, ensuring adherence to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Additionally, you will maintain the council's liaison with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), and address complaints and data security incidents, with the support of our friendly team.

You will also play a role in delivering training and awareness programs focused on data protection and related subjects. Part of your responsibilities include engaging with senior managers and stakeholders to foster a culture of data protection awareness and responsibility. This is an opportunity to significantly impact how the authority handles personal information.

The Council offers a variety of learning and development opportunities. You'll work within a supportive and collaborative team dedicated to creating and implementing innovative solutions to enhance data protection compliance and performance.

On-the-go:

Our 'on-the-go' roles mean you'll usually start and finish your day from a base, moving around between different locations throughout the day. You won't need a fixed desk to work from, but you'll have access to our network where you can keep up to date with admin and the latest staff updates., The Deputy Chief Executive directorate is central to Buckinghamshire Council's journey to establish itself as one of the best councils in the country. With a clear focus on service improvement through transformation and a drive to build better relationships with the local community, the directorate is fast-paced; but extremely rewarding. Our teams are not only proactively delivering on projects and plans but also reacting to developing situations. If you are ambitious, innovative, and would relish the opportunity to influence change - a role within our service area could be your next career move.

The team includes exciting areas of work, including a brand new localities model - delivering 16 community boards across the county to make it easy for our residents to engage with us as we work together to plan for the future. Other teams include our Policy and Communications and Legal and Democratic Services teams - innovating the way we communicate with our colleagues, Members and the local community, and role-modelling best practice through policy, planning and legal services. If you think you can help us achieve our goals, and want to be a part of this exciting journey, we would love to hear from you!

To be successful in this role, you will need to have the following skills, experience, and attributes:

• A relevant professional or vocational qualification in data protection, information governance, or a related field, or equivalent experience.


• A thorough knowledge and understanding of data protection legislation, regulations, systems, policies, procedures, and best practice.


• Substantial experience of planning and delivering specialist compliance, legal, statutory, or regulatory services within a large or complex organisation.


• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills, with the ability to build relationships and engage with colleagues, partners, and customers at all levels in complex or politically sensitive situations.


• Excellent planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage and prioritise a complex workload, set deadlines, and cope with conflicting and changing demands.


• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess the impact of legislation and ensure organisational compliance.


• Excellent leadership skills, with the ability to inspire, motivate, and develop others to high levels of performance.


• A commitment to the values and behaviours of Buckinghamshire Council: Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative, and Trustworthy.
  
  By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:


a fair and inclusive culture

• the chance to really make a difference to those around you


• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops


• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group


• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us


• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events


At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that's why we're working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it's important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That's why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. We also offer a salary sacrifice personal car lease scheme to those who are eligible and have passed their probation period. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.