70020 - Data Protection Strategic Lead

The national salary range is £51,767 - £59,590, London salary range is £55,720 - £64,135. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
1
12 Months
London, National
National
NATIONAL
Grade 7
Grade 7
Permanent
Full Time
Knowledge & Information Management

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.

The Role 

We’re recruiting a Data Protection Strategic Lead on a permanent basis here atMoJ (Ministry of Justice) Security and Information Governance Group, to be part of our warm and collaborative Data Protection Team. 

Knowledge and information are the lifeblood of the MoJ. They can transform the way we deliver public services as well as the relationship between government and public. It is important for the Department to show that we are capable of handling information carefully as well as making it readily available and widely accessible wherever we can and should.  Managing information well can have a direct impact on our ability to deliver core services to our customers. 

The Security and Information Governance Group is responsible for helping business groups across the department manage and use personal information in a manner compatible with the law.  Its core function is to promote compliance with the Data Protection Act (DPA) 21018 and the UK General Data Protection Regulation across policies, projects, processes and services which involve personal data, through the provision of bespoke advice, training and guidance to business areas. 

Reporting to a Deputy Data Protection Officer you will have a leading role in contributing to improvements to the way the department manages its personal data including responsibility for promoting adherence to and providing guidance across a vast spectrum of business areas on information legislation; you will also be part of the management of high impact incidents involving personal data. 

Key Responsibilities of the role: 

  1. Provide advice and guidance on data protection issues for the MoJ and to make decisions on whether to report data breaches to the ICO.
  2. Contribute to regular commissions from Government departments to identify the most critical activities and likely risks.
  3. Act as point of contact for several of the MoJ’s Executive Agencies and Arm’s Length Bodies and the central work-streams covering commercial and contract management, HR, finance and digital/ technology functions. Generating a common interpretation of emerging cross-government guidance from the Department of Culture Media and Sport, Crown Commercial Service of Government Digital Service, to provide specific interpretations to cultivate a strong MoJ approach towards achieving compliance.
  4. Explore and promote the following critical deliverables on a Department-wide basis, maintaining relationships with appropriate teams / stakeholders in support of delivering:
  • UK GDPR/DPA18 compliance across MoJ technology systems, providing compliance advice and guidance in liaison with appropriate technical information assurance professionals within the business including:
  • The Information Assurance Leads
  • Senior Information Risk Owners (SIROs) and their delegated Information Asset Owners (IAOs)
  • Senior technical and non-technical stakeholders across Government, including Government Digital Service and Open Government Data
  • The transparency requirements of the UK GDPR and the DPA18
  • Data Protection-by-design and default throughout the data journey and across multiple platforms.
  • The ability of the Department to evidence proactive supplier management and compliance, with expected standards (as a data controller).
  • A long-term compliance plan for information held within systems across the MoJ estate, including new and legacy systems.
  • An incident management process for data incidents and assessing whether data breaches should be reported to the ICO.

Person Specification 

Essential 

The successful role-holder will have: 

  • A current, and constantly renewed, understanding of both UK GDPR and the DPA 18 – especially regarding the processing of data for law enforcement purposes and must be able to recognise, and advise upon, the potential impacts of such on MoJ’s existing and emerging technology systems / projects
  • A proven track record in developing and leading information assurance strategy in government, including stakeholder engagement, specifically in relation to risk
  • Proven leadership experience in an information / data management setting
  • Experience and knowledge of existing working practices within government, including technical security advice, risk management, off-shoring, data protection impact assessments, governance and compliance
  • Proven ability to adapt to changing priorities, and maintain focus and alignment of the team’s activities - including experience of the management of a team of information security / assurance specialists
  • Experience of engaging with stakeholders and staff to resolve business issues and ensure effective and efficient delivery of services
  • In a comparable business environment, experience of providing evidence based, risk balanced advice to seniors, presenting complex considerations in clear and non-technical terms.
  • Be an effective communicator, who can;
  • Discuss and understand technical security controls or systems alongside security professionals and software developers
  • Explain technical concepts to senior leaders and stakeholders
  • Communicate risk in a neutral way to allow understanding of impact and likelihood
  • Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Be capable of thinking in the style of a threat-actor, to avoid complacency or over-confidence in how we defend the Department’s information.
  • Be passionate about technology, technical transformation and technical information security, where keeping up to date is just part of how you work.

Desirable 

  • A data protection/GDPR qualification e.g. CIPP/E or CIPM

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.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.

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

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.

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.

Expected week commencing 27th February 2023

13/02/2023, 23:55 hours.

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com

Please quote the job reference - 70020.

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.

In the event that we receive a large volume of applications we reserve the right to conduct the sift based on one lead behaviour. The chosen lead behaviour for this campaign is Leadership.
if you feel that your application has not been treated in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance

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

Behaviours
Leadership - 250 word limit
Experience
CV
Statement of Suitability - 1000 word limit
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Leadership, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.
Behaviours
Leadership
Managing a Quality Service
Delivering at Pace
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Seeing the Big Picture
Working Together
Technical Skills
The interview will include a presentation and the topic will be provided to successful sift candidates. Candidates will also be asked to demonstrate current, and constantly renewed, understanding of both UK GDPR and the DPA 18 – especially regarding the processing of data for law enforcement purposes and must be able to recognise, and advise upon, the potential impacts of such on MoJ’s existing and emerging technology systems / projects.

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.

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.