Head of Data Privacy

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Cabinet Office as the Head of Data Privacy.
This role is based within Cabinet Office Digital, where you will lead a team of data privacy and compliance professionals within our Data Function who provide a range of data privacy and compliance services, advice and assurance across the Cabinet Office.
As Head of Data Privacy, you will report to the Cabinet Office Chief Data Officer and become part of their influential leadership team. This will provide you with opportunities to contribute your expertise to thought-leading change initiatives and transformation programmes, and help drive forward the implementation of our Data Strategy which is taking the Cabinet Office on a journey towards data maturity and our vision for a ‘data confident Cabinet Office’.
You will also become part of the wider leadership cadre for CO Digital, supporting the commitment to putting user needs at the heart of everything we do, as we digitally enable and transform the Cabinet Office. This includes shaping and delivering digital and data services that both enhance user experience and augment outcomes, in line with strategic objectives to realise significant productivity and efficiency gains. As Head of Data Privacy you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that CO Digital’s approach to data privacy and compliance upholds the highest standards, whilst also taking opportunities to streamline our delivery to ensure we best meet the needs of the organisation and the expectations of the public we serve., We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Head of Data Privacy to lead our data privacy and compliance team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in data privacy laws, risk management, and compliance, as well as excellent leadership and communication skills.
As Head of Data Privacy, you will be responsible for ensuring Cabinet Office compliance with all data protection laws and regulations through the leadership, development and delivery of the data privacy target state outcomes in the Cabinet Office Data Strategy; by ensuring that clear organisation-wide policies, standards, guidance, training and procedures are in place and managed well to safeguard our employees' and stakeholder/customer personal information.
You will be responsible for the alignment of data privacy activities with wider organisational objectives and risk management policies. You will ensure that robust audit and monitoring processes are designed and operated effectively to identify, and communicate, data privacy risks and mitigation strategies to senior leaders and other stakeholders/external bodies. You will oversee the response to data privacy incidents, including investigation, reporting, and remediation.
You will be responsible for promoting a culture of data privacy awareness as part of building a more mature data culture. Working across the Cabinet Office and with digital delivery projects and change programmes, you will ensure security and compliance are built into product and technology ‘by design’; that data privacy is integrated into business processes so our valuable data assets are protected.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
+ Providing strategic direction and leadership for the data privacy across the department and contributing to the leadership and management of the Data Function as part of the SMT.
+ Management of core services such as DPIAs, self assessments, staff training, advisory service to business units and technology to support data privacy services with direct line management of 4 G7 Data Protection Managers and HEO.
+ Working with peers and senior managers across the Cabinet Office to align data practices, procedures on Data Protection and measure performance of CO management units Data policy compliance.
+ Monitor and assess compliance with data protection laws and internal policies through carrying out audits and self assessments.
+ Manage Data Privacy governance structures, such as operational controls and wider assurance processes.
+ Development of Data Risk Management framework looking across the department to convergence opportunities and the wider Op Model work in CO Digital
+ Working with the Data Protection Officer to seek guidance on Legal & Regulatory data compliance topics and & provide escalation of issues on Data and Data Protection.
+ Design and implement an optimal operating model/system to support the wider data culture change by supporting the various disciplines of data across Third Party Contract Management, Cyber and Security, Information Management, Knowledge and Records Management & Data Management.
+ Provide direction and maintain the CO policy operational controls over GDPR and Data Protection including the adoption of AI.
+ 1st line and 2nd line of defence: owning and managing risk and overseeing risk controls and compliance.
+ Through continuous improvement review team structure, services, tools and processes to ensure they are fit for purpose and meet the needs of users., Please use your statement of suitability to (in no more than 750 words) to explain how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential and desirable criteria in the person specification section of the job advert.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using your CV against the person specification. Candidates who pass the initial sift will be progressed to a full sift.
Selection process
Candidates who are successful at sift will then be invited to an interview.
At interview, you will be assessed against Behaviours and Technical skills. You will also be required to give a 5 min presentation at interview to test the Behaviours Communicating and Influencing, and Changing and Improving. Further details of this will be made available to candidates who are invited to interview.
Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date – w/c Monday 6th January 2025
Expected interview date/s – w/c Monday 20th January 2025
Interview location - Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
+ Contact Government Recruitment Service via cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
+ Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Further information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
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)
+ 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)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
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+ Extensive experience in Data Protection and GDPR management, with a background in Data Compliance and Regulatory challenges in both BAU and change management settings.
+ Proven ability to lead Data Protection governance through operational controls and assurance processes.
+ Skilled in leading a team of data privacy experts to deliver on data privacy and compliance objectives.
+ Experience in collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance with data protection laws and regulatory obligations, including effective compliance reporting.
+ Demonstrated ability to manage delivery of core services such as DPIAs, policies, guidance, staff training, and advisory services.
+ Proven track record of managing diverse stakeholders in large, complex organisations and influencing adoption of data privacy policies.
+ Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Desirable
+ Qualification in Data Privacy like CIPP/E or equivalent would be desirable., + Leadership
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
+ Detailed knowledge and understanding of data protection requirements and best practices.
+ Ability to embed data protection compliance into business processes and culture.

Alongside your salary of £67,126, Cabinet Office contributes £19,446 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Learning and development tailored to your role.
+ An environment with flexible working options.
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
+ A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
+ A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.