85375 - Senior Information Casework Manager
Job Description
Band B, Legal and Information Directorate, Senior Casework Manager
Office of the Public Guardian – National
Two year fixed term contract, with the possibility of conversion to becoming permanent.
Overview
We are looking for an experienced and highly capable senior information professional to lead work on management of our busy information request function, based in our Information Assurance Team.
The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) protects people in England and Wales who may not have the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves, such as about their health and finance. This role will be critically important to achieving our vision of protecting and empowering people who may lack capacity, providing support to those who act on their behalf and promoting future choice and planning in advance of a lack of capacity. The OPG is internationally recognised as a leader in this area.
The OPG registers approximately 1.2 million powers of attorney and supervises 60,000 deputies per year. It has a staffing compliment of 1,800 employees.
The legal and information directorate in the OPG has two business areas, legal and information assurance. The Information Assurance team is responsible for all aspects of information management within OPG, ensuring that OPG complies with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and UK Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA).
This will be a fixed term contract role based nationally , with opportunities for flexible working including home-based working.
Our career offer
The Information Assurance team provides business critical support to OPG operational areas across the whole information management function. While the postholder will already have significant, proven experience in a senior knowledge and information management role, OPG is able to offer further training and development opportunities including pathways to professional qualifications in the specialist aspects of the role and broader senior leadership training and development opportunities.
Areas of our work
Integral to the team’s work is the management of requests for information from the public and external organisations, such as local authorities and police, and also to the public under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and UK GDPR.
This role is a senior specialist role which will involve leadership of the disclosure of information in line with legislative requirements to ensure vulnerable customers are safeguarded. Collaborating with Information Asset Owners and their operational teams on management and use of information assets, and day-to-day provision of expert advice and support to senior leaders across the business on information management issues.
Other key areas of the team’s work include records management, information security (working in collaboration with Ministry of Justice (MoJ)), information governance, records management and the management of information risk. The team also supports the Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO) who is also the Deputy Director of OPG’s legal and information directorate.
Key responsibilities include:
• senior leadership of information disclosure practice across OPG including ongoing liaison with the OPG data team on utilisation of technology to streamline request handling
• provision of reports to OPG boards and committees such as Audit and Risk Committee and SIRO Board with regular attendance at MoJ information governance boards as required
• provision of subject matter expert (SME) support to information management compliance and information security
• management of high-risk information security incidents (on a rota basis)
• line management and professional development of Knowledge and Information Managers (KIMs) including performance management and training plan development
• provision of information management expertise to support the delivery of OPG projects (including digital projects )
• provision of ongoing strategic and operational support to Head of Directorate and Directorate Manager
• contribution to OPG, Directorate and Team business plans
• providing support to the team and the wider business in the implementation of policy and procedural changes including the delivery of training, education and awareness activities
• participation in wider OPG management groups and activities to ensure directorate interests are fully represented
• monitoring developments in legislation and policy relevant to functional area disseminating these to team members
• ensuring that team members manage their work effectively, within agreed / published targets and standards, to support delivery of the OPG business plan
• identification and implementation of improvements to service delivery
• positive promotion and implementation of diversity and equality of opportunity in all areas of work
• leadership and support to teams on staff engagement activity
• management of budgets as required
Skills & Qualifications
Essential Criteria
• Professional knowledge (and demonstrable practical experience) of working with the UK GDPR and DPA in a policy or operational context
Desirable Criteria
• Professional qualifications in information management (e.g. data protection practitioner) or willingness to work towards attainment of these
• Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Proficient in the use of standard Microsoft office products
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Flexible approach to dealing with the changing nature of the work
• Ability to work across all grades and areas of OPG, MoJ and other government departments and to work to deliver competing priorities
Application process
This vacancy will be recruited using the Success Profiles model. We will assess your strengths, abilities, experience and the following Behaviours:
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality service,
• Changing and Improving
You’ll be asked to provide an example of the three behaviours listed above, using 250 words each, alongside a CV demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria.
In the event of large numbers of applications being received, we will conduct an initial sift on the lead behaviour – Communicating and Influencing
Strengths based analysis
If you are successful at sift, you will be invited to an interview which will follow the Success Profiles process (see above). At interview, candidates should expect strength-based questions and questions on the behaviours listed above.
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.
All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.
Benefits
The MoJ offers a range of benefits:
Annual Leave
Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.
There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Pension
The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
Training
The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
Networks
The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
Support
- A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
- Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code 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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
- To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);
- To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
- To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please see our Disability Confident Scheme Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.
04/04/2024, 23:55 hours.
To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why.
For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (The level of checks that are required are stated in the advert).
If you do not meet the above requirements, you may still be considered if, for example:
- You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
- You were studying abroad
- You were living overseas with parents
In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account.
Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.
We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.
Application form stage assessments
Interview stage assessments
A Great Place to Work for Veterans
The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
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) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
· 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) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
This Vacancy is closed to applications.