Information Governance Manager

Information Governance Manager Overview

IPSA is independent of Parliament and government. We make fair and impartial decisions about MPs pay, pensions and business costs and we provide effective regulation on behalf of the public. To support trust in democracy, we publish the data to provide public access to information about MPs pay, pensions and claims.

In order to execute our responsibilities, we collect and process a variety of data, some of which are personal/sensitive and classified up to OFFICIAL: SENSITIVE. We must ensure that it s compliant with relevant data protection legislation and that our people are appropriately trained to handle this sensitive data. Our Information Governance team are at the forefront of this. They assist the Data Protection Officer (DPO) with data protection advice and guidance, together with appropriate records management and responses to Freedom of Information Act (FoIA) requests.

The postholder will engage confidently and effectively across all of IPSA, as well as with external stakeholders. They will also deal with contact from the general public and the media.

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time, 36 Hours per Week

LOCATION: Hybrid United Kingdom (multiple locations)

Northern Ireland Wales Scotland England London

We're a fully hybrid organisation, with colleagues across all corners of the UK

SALARY: £41,500 - £43,814

Salary increases as you develop in role and progress through our training and competency framework

Duties

• Working together with the Information Governance team to ensure that FoIA requests and Data Subject Access requests are responded to within the statutory timeframe, including liaising with all areas of IPSA to obtain relevant information.

• Being a subject matter expert on Information Governance matters and providing advice and guidance across the organisation, in conjunction with the DPO.

• Conducting regular thematic reviews of Information Governance processes

• Providing expert advice and monitoring in relation to Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) in cases of new data processing arrangements, and providing support and guidance to colleagues with the completion of DPIAs, including regular updates and renewals.

• Responding to Information Governance incidents/breaches with expert advice, ensuring appropriate action is taken and that ICO reportable incidents are escalated to the DPO and SIRO appropriately

• Undertaking projects and providing guidance and support across IPSA to embed good records management practice and liaising with Information Asset Owners to develop and maintain the Information Asset Register.

• Participating in the development and delivery of Information Governance training and assisting with relevant Information Governance policies across IPSA.

• Assisting the DPO with other duties commensurate with the nature and level of responsibility of this role, as required, and deputise for the DPO where necessary.

• Leading and contributing to agreed cross-organisational projects and initiatives, taking ownership of autonomous pieces of work and collaborating with the DPO

What we re looking for

You ll be a highly experienced Information Governance professional with a genuine enthusiasm for information access rights and data compliance. You ll understand the kind of complex challenges faced by an organisation like IPSA in relation to the management of large quantities of data, and the importance of public transparency.

You ll have a solid background processing information access requests and be adept at advising colleagues on legislation. In addition, you ll bring experience and understanding of drafting effective data sharing agreements which keep IPSA s data safe, and you ll be well versed in undertaking Data Protection Impact Assessments. You ll enjoy undertaking project work and reviews and contributing to reports for senior stakeholders. You ll maintain a keen interest in continuously developing your professional knowledge in the field.

You ll be a highly effective communicator and strong team collaborator who appreciates the needs of colleagues, stakeholders and the public, and you ll communicate clearly and concisely and in a timely manner. Your eye for detail will enable you to solve problems across the full spectrum of Information Governance activities, and your co-operative approach will ensure that your team, and IPSA, feel both supported and involved in our data compliance.

The experience and technical level required for the role, along with personal qualities, skills, attributes, and qualifications (where relevant) are listed below.

Essential

• Proven experience operating at a similar level in a comparable public sector organisation (e.g. Information Governance Lead or Senior IG Officer).

• Proven experience in processing and reviewing responses to complex and contentious requests made in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Data Protection Act 2018.

• Proven experience of undertaking data protection procedures, such as creating and reviewing data sharing agreements, investigating and assessing IG incident reports, and overseeing Data Protection Impact Assessments.

• Proven experience of development and application of records management policies (records audits, retention and disposal, etc.), plus a working understanding of current records management issues and principles of good practice.

• Working knowledge of public sector transparency, including publication schemes, and the adaptability to implement and adhere to changes to policy and procedure in an environment that is constantly developing.

• Proven experience of Information Governance project management and/or training provision, with proven ability to plan and organise workload and to manage time effectively to meet tight deadlines.

• High level of personal integrity, discretion and objective independence when dealing with sensitive or confidential matters.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to provide clear, accurate advice and guidance verbally and in writing, to colleagues, stakeholders, other organisations and the public.

Desirable

• FoIA/DPA practitioner, or legal or records/archive management qualification (or equivalent).

• Experience contributing to reports for senior stakeholders.

Salary progression

We operate a training and competency framework which consists of three stages - learning, developing, qualified. At each stage, there is a set of criteria comprising the relevant knowledge, experience and behaviours that need to be achieved before progressing to the next stage of the framework and each of the stages are linked to pay progression. While the pace at which you may progress is specific to you, it is likely to take between 6 12 months to move through the learning and developing stages before being signed off as qualified. This framework provides colleagues a clear set of expectations to develop competence and confidence.

Learning is the introduction to the team, processes and broader knowledge underpinning the role. Developing is about consolidating knowledge and putting it into practice. You can then progress to the final stage as Qualified , at this stage, you will have demonstrated the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to work independently and consistently deliver high quality work.

Our commitment

We re committed to creating an inclusive, vibrant community and to making IPSA a brilliant place to be.

At the heart of our people philosophy is our promise to engage, enable, and empower every team member to deliver excellence, learn, and develop every day.

Ensuring equality of opportunity is central to this.

With diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and thinking IPSA will continue to operate as a high-performing organisation with a truly diverse and inclusive culture.

That s why we encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities, such as returning parents or carers who are returning from a career break, people who are LGBTQIA+, from Black, Asian, and other ethnic backgrounds, with a disability, impairment, learning differences or long-term condition, with caring responsibilities, from different geographic regions and people from all socio-economic backgrounds, and any other under-represented groups in our workforce.

Benefits

• Flexible working hours
• Work from home option
• Healthcare
• Retirement benefits
• Life Insurance
• Wellness programs
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Additional parental leave
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Paid emergency leave
• Extra holiday
• Professional development
• Mentoring/coaching
• Paid volunteer days