FOI Manager
- Civil Service
- Full Time
- Richmond
- 40,853
Job Description
Job summary
Job description
The majority of the FOI requests we receive are for closed historical information. Your key responsibilities will involve ensuring we comply with legal obligations set by FOI, EIR and DPA Acts. This includes managing FOI casework and FOI staff Assessors & Researchers - who undertake the bulk of review work. As well as managing the FOI caseload, youll be a source of expertise, guiding the Head of Centre and giving advice on difficult cases. As part of the FOI Management team, youll be responsible for deciding our legal position on appeals and tribunals. This means working closely with senior figures from The National Archives managers to information rights units across government. At the same time, youll promote FOI knowledge across the organisation. Youll give updates on guidelines, consider feedback and shape future operations.
To join us, you should have good knowledge of FOI and Data Protection Acts OR significant relevant experience involving researching, analysing and summarising complex information. It is equally important that you have the ability to prioritise workload according to tight deadlines and have judgment to make key FOI and access decisions, together with the confidence to defend them. Strong communication skills are essential especially as youll be influencing senior figures and explaining points of law in detail. Youll need to inspire a dedicated team to meet deadlines and perform. If youre an experienced leader, ideally with FOI knowledge, wed like to hear from you.
This is a full time post. However, requests for part-time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department. A combination of onsite and home working is available and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site for a minimum of 60% of their work time.
Person specification
Essential criteria:
- Demonstrable knowledge of information rights legislation including the Public Records Act 1958 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000; OR significant relevant experience, demonstrating the ability to carry out research into information and records, analyse contents and summarise findings clearly and concisely
- Experience of mentoring, motivating or managing staff who work under pressure to meet tight deadlines to deliver agreed goals and objectives
- Ability to prioritise and balance managing own workload, deadlines, alongside providing support to a wider team
- Excellent standard of communication, both written and verbal; ability to manage and engage with staff and stakeholders to clarify goals and activities; evidence of highly developed drafting skills and ability to write persuasively, for different audiences
- Experience of establishing relationships with a range of stakeholders to support delivery of objectives; ability to negotiate to achieve outcomes at a senior level, both internally and externally
- Confidence to use judgment and knowledge to make difficult decisions and defend them
Application Process
Interview: Interviews will be held on-site and will include a presentation. More details on this will be provided in the interview invitation.
Personal Statement: We ask all applicants to submit work history details and a personal statement. We recommend that you write 250-300 words per criteria.
Selection for interview will be based on the 3 essential criteria listed below so please ensure that your application demonstrates in detail how you meet these requirements.
Demonstrable knowledge of information rights legislation including the Public Records Act 1958 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000; OR significant relevant experience, demonstrating the ability to carry out research into information and records, analyse contents and summarise findings clearly and concisely
Experience of mentoring, motivating or managing staff who work under pressure to meet tight deadlines to deliver agreed goals and objectives
Ability to prioritise and balance managing own workload, deadlines, alongside providing support to a wider team
If we receive a large number of applications candidates will initially be assessed on the following criteria:
Demonstrable knowledge of information rights legislation including the Public Records Act 1958 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000; OR significant relevant experience, demonstrating the ability to carry out research into information and records, analyse contents and summarise findings clearly and concisely
Applicants invited to interview will be assessed against all of the essential criteria (see person specification above).
SC clearance/willingness to obtain SC clearance will be required for this role. Applicants should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years for SC clearance. A lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance and applicants should contact the Talent Acquisition team (contact details below) for further advice.
We are unable/able to offer sponsorship for this role.
