Senior Policy Officer - Online Safety

The Enterprise Department sits within the ICO’s Regulatory Risk Executive Directorate and is charged with influencing the most significant firms in the digital economy to demonstrate high standards of data protection across their full range of products and activities.
It does so in partnership with the UK’s other major digital regulators, including through the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF), which brings together Ofcom, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the ICO to maximise the synergies between our regulatory regimes.
Our work is high-profile and high impact and shapes the experience of digital services for people across the UK.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the independent regulator of information rights. In a data-driven world, we provide advice, guidance, and support to organisations enabling compliance with their obligations, as well as protecting individuals and their personal data.
As an employer, we are passionate about making a positive difference to the lives and careers of our people, and we empower you to be curious, impactful, collaborative and respectful., This is a Senior Policy Officer (SPO) role within the department’s Online Safety team. You will be involved in the ICO’s work on issues arising from the UK’s online safety regime that impact on data protection rights. This includes developing an understanding of cross-regulatory policy issues and co-ordinating approaches to emerging compliance issues.
The role provides an excellent opportunity to contribute to the ICO’s critical work as a leading UK and global regulator, tackling high-profile privacy and cross-regulatory issues that have widespread impacts on the digital economy and the everyday lives of UK citizens.
You will stay informed about new technology and the privacy issues they present, and work closely with other teams across the office to develop influential ICO policy on new and emerging issues. In parallel, you will play a key role in the ICO’s collaboration with Ofcom on online safety and data protection., + Undertaking high quality research and contributing to policy development on emerging and/or complex issues.
+ Developing and maintaining the ICO’s policy-level relationship with regulatory and government stakeholders, influencing regulatory and legislative developments in a way consistent with the requirements of information rights legislation and ICO objectives.
+ Representing the ICO at selected national and international events, including speaking engagements, meetings with stakeholders and meetings of national/international regulatory bodies where appropriate.
+ Producing and contributing to high quality documentation, including responses to consultations, regulatory guidance products and Board papers and reports.
+ Keeping accurate records of internal and external engagement, and maintaining ongoing monitoring of regulatory and legislative developments in assigned policy areas.
+ Proactively developing legislative expertise in information rights and online safety legislation.

+ Experience relevant to the role requirements, as described in the role responsibilities and person specification, and accumulated through any combination of academic or vocational qualifications or experience.
+ Experience of working with complex information which could include legislation or operational rules and procedures. (Experience of working with data protection, online safety or associated legislation will be an advantage)
+ Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to formulate clear and persuasive arguments for a range of audiences.
+ Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate and maintain good relationships with senior stakeholders.
+ Ability to travel to meetings and events in the UK and overseas (possibly outside office hours)
Essential criteria assessed during interview:
+ The ability to use good judgement and problem solving skills to take sound and potentially high profile decisions.
+ Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills.
+ Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate and maintain good relationships with senior stakeholders.
+ A strong understanding of wider political, economic and technological developments in the UK and overseas.
+ Ability to work under pressure and to handle large and competing workloads.
+ Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to formulate clear and persuasive arguments for a range of audiences., Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

The ICO is committed to promoting and enhancing equality, diversity, and inclusion. We are focused on developing a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve and together we are building an inclusive workplace where all of our colleagues have the opportunity to make a real difference. We are championing this through our Equality Diversity and Inclusion Board together with a number of staff networks. Read more about our commitment on our website.

Salary: £42,593 - £48,245, with potential for further progression to £54,317 with our pay progression scheme.
Location: Hybrid
Contracted to our Wilmslow, London, Edinburgh, Cardiff or Belfast office, however, we offer flexible home and office-based working opportunities. There will be times when you will be expected to attend the office to collaborate with colleagues or travel due to business need.
Why work for the ICO?
+ Pay progression scheme.
+ Hybrid and flexible working options.
+ 25 days paid holiday per year, plus privilege and public holidays.
+ Flexi leave (up to 26 additional days leave per year).
+ Pension (employer contribution around 28.9%).
+ Online discount scheme to save money at major supermarkets, retailers, gyms, restaurants, insurance providers and many more.
+ Health Cash Plan.
+ Fantastic development opportunities to learn and progress.
Further details can be found on the benefits section of our website ., Alongside your salary of £42,593, Information Commissioner's Office contributes £12,339 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides., Candidates with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for this vacancy will be invited to interview as part of the ICO’s commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme.