Data Protection and Information Governance Lead

Overview

Data Protection and Information Governance Lead | Hybrid Working with Glasgow or Dundee Base Location | £73,757 - £85,130 | Full or Part Time Hours | Flexi-time | 25 Days annual leave (increasing to 30 after 4 years' service) plus 11.5 Public and Privilege | Contributory Pension Scheme (employee contributions 7.35% employer contributions 28.97%)

Are you a seasoned data protection and information governance expert looking for a new challenge? We're seeking a skilled professional to join our team as Data Protection and Information Governance Lead for Social Security Scotland.

In this pivotal role, you will not only make strategic decisions that influence the data protection and information governance landscape across the organisation but also mentor and lead three sizeable specialised teams. This is an excellent opportunity for candidates who have detailed domain knowledge as well as experience leading large, diverse teams in complex environments. If you're passionate about data protection and information governance, have excellent leadership and management skills, and are ready to step into a senior role with substantial responsibilities, we would love to hear from you.

The Data Protection and Information Governance Branch is a critical part of the Data Office, working closely with the Scottish Government's Data Protection Officer under a Memorandum of Understanding. As the Data Protection and Information Governance Lead for Social Security Scotland, you will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of data protection and information governance policies, processes, and services. You will work closely with the Chief Data Officer, senior leadership, and other stakeholders to ensure the organisations' compliance with statutory requirements and best practices in data protection and information governance.

You will manage and lead three teams setting direction and policy for these specialist areas and ensuring their effectiveness and performance for the organisation.

The Data Protection - (Corporate & Client) Teams responsibilities include:

1. Evaluating and ensuring the organisations' adherence to legal requirements.
2. Promoting a privacy-focused approach, evaluating privacy risks, providing advice on controls, and ensuring proper contractual agreements are in place for operational activities.
3. Developing and enhancing data protection policies, processes, services, and guidance.
4. Providing training for our staff.
5. Handling and resolving data breaches.
6. Facilitating individuals' information rights.
7. Monitoring and ensuring performance and compliance for the Chief Executive and Executive Team.
8. Cultivating a culture of ongoing improvement in data protection throughout the organisation.

The Corporate Records and Information Governance team:

1. Oversee and implement the organisations' Records Management Plan, in alignment with the Keeper of the Records Scotland.
2. Manage the file plan and workspaces within the electronic records and document management system.
3. Handle and respond to Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act requests to ensure legal compliance.
4. Facilitate the proactive disclosure of information in the public interest on behalf of the Agency.
5. Address inquiries related to UK General Data Protection Regulation information rights within statutory timelines.
6. Process disclosure requests from third party competent authorities in accordance with relevant laws.
7. Coordinate and execute Information Governance processes to uphold our policies.

What Do We Offer You?

We offer meaningful and engaging careers, a collaborative culture, and support for your career goals, all while nurturing a healthy work-life balance. We provide an employment package that attracts, develops, and retains only the best talent.

1. C2 salary between £73,757 - £85,130.
2. Flexible working arrangements with potential of up to 4 days off per month.
3. You will have an annual leave allowance of 5 weeks, rising to 6 weeks after 4 years. In addition, the Scottish Government observes 11½ days public and privilege holidays, dates of which are set annually.
4. Workplace adjustments for everyone that needs them to ensure your comfort and safety in your new role.
5. Learning and development opportunities to support your personal and professional growth.
6. Career progression - join a rapidly growing and developing organisation with excellent opportunities for career advancement.
7. Contributory Pension Scheme (employee contributions 7.35% employer contributions 28.97%).
8. Health and wellbeing support including 24 hour access to our Employee Assistance Programme, plus counselling support available for all.
9. Discounts on gym memberships and retail outlets.

Hybrid Working

We embrace a hybrid working style where all colleagues will spend time in either our Glasgow or Dundee offices. There is an expectation of a minimum of 2 days per week in your assigned location. Base office location can be in either Dundee or Glasgow.

About Us

Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government and has the largest and most complex IT and digital change programme since devolution. We are delivering a social security system that will support the people of Scotland for decades to come. Our benefits help people from all walks of life in Scotland. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we serve.

Responsibilities

1. Serve as the Data Protection Officer for Social Security Scotland, offering guidance to senior leadership and collaborating with the Scottish Government Data Protection Officer.
2. Cultivate and manage data protection and information governance partnerships with Scottish Government, UK Ministerial Departments, and Scottish Local Government.
3. Develop a strategic approach for data protection and information governance, establish policies, processes, standards, and guidance in line with industry best practices, and ensure their ongoing effectiveness.
4. Lead efforts to promote a privacy-focused culture within Social Security Scotland governance, emphasising privacy considerations in all data processing activities.
5. Provide guidance and direction on data protection and information governance to technical, analytical, and non-technical staff, identifying risks and escalating issues to executives when necessary.
6. Serve as a subject matter expert on data protection and information assurance for the organisation and broader central government community, offering authoritative advice on implementing and maintaining data protection and information governance controls.
7. Stay informed on developments in data protection, information rights, and corporate records law, policies, strategies, and technologies, participating in professional development activities to enhance expertise.
8. Supervise three senior leaders within the branch, each overseeing their own team responsible for Data Protection and information governance functions, supporting their professional growth and ensuring a balance between business objectives and employee wellbeing.
9. Act as a stand-in for the Chief Data Officer when needed.

Qualifications

No specific qualifications are required for this post.

How To Apply

To apply for this post, you will need to provide the information requested below via the online application process.

In your application form, we will ask you to provide specific examples of how you meet the essential criteria below. You will have up to 300 words for each to showcase your knowledge, skills, and personal qualities. These examples could be from any aspect of your life including work, education, sport, and hobbies or even from your personal or family life. Further information on what makes a good application can be found here.

1. Excellent knowledge of Information and Data legislation and governance best practice including UK General Data Protection Regulation, Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act and Public Records (Scotland) Act as well as experience of implementing and managing effective compliance in a large organisation.
2. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal and policy issues and explain to others who may not share your domain expertise.
3. A successful track record of building strong and effective networks and partnerships across organisational boundaries, whilst maintaining relationships and working in collaboration with internal and external colleagues.
4. Excellent people management skills, able to build, lead and motivate a team, setting clear priorities and adapting quickly to fit skills and resources to ensure the delivery of timely and high-quality outputs.

If we receive a large number of applications, we may complete an initial sift on the first essential criteria.

If you are invited to an interview this will be held in person in either Agnes Husband House, Dundee or High Street, Glasgow.

If you pass the sift but are not invited to the first round of interviews, you may be invited to a subsequent round. Any queries on this please contact recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot

We aim to provide feedback on request, however; if we receive a large number of applications it may not be possible for us to provide feedback on your application if you are not invited to attend an interview. We will provide feedback on request to all candidates that attend an interview.

Social Security Scotland - Further information for job applicants

Interview/Assessment Information

Here are details of the Competencies required for this role which you will be tested against if you are invited to attend an interview/assessment:

1. Leading Others
2. Communications and Engagement
3. Improving Performance
4. Analysis and Use of Evidence

Reserve List

In the event that further posts are required, a reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for up to 9 months.

Recruitment Contact

To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Dawn Maslouh who can be reached at dawn.maslouh@socialsecurity.gov.scot

Please note that we will not engage with external recruitment agencies for this post.

Further Information

The successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 3 years unless successful in gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.

Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment, should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process, please contact us at Recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot.

Social Security Scotland's recruitment processes are underpinned by the recruitment principles of the Civil Service Commissioner, which outline that selection for appointment be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition - Recruitment - Civil Service Commission (independent.gov.uk)

If you feel at any time your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner's Recruitment Principles, you can make a complaint, by contacting Social Security Scotland at recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioner.

If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form, please contact the Resourcing Team via recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot.

If you are interested in us contacting you about further available vacancies, please sign up to our mailing list to receive job alerts.