Data Rights Manager

“Keep checking Met Careers on a daily basis for new and exciting opportunities being released to join DDaT!”

Policing London is a hugely complex challenge that evolves every day. To make sure the Met is up to the task, we need the right IT and systems across our organisation. As a Data Rights Manager, you will help to enable us to do our best for the London area. Join us and play your part in making London the safest capital in the world and delivering ‘More Trust, Less Crime and High Standards’.

As a member of the Met, you will also enjoy great benefits including annual leave, civil service pension arrangements, maternity/paternity support, as well as being part of a continuous learning culture.

Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT)

The mission of Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) is to provide the Met with information (and specifically data), communications and technology to help frontline officers and Met staff do their jobs more efficiently, in order to deliver the New Met for London plan. In other words, DDaT is about “passionately delivering trusted technology for precise data driven policing”.

As well as keeping up to speed with developments in technology and making recommendations for new equipment and systems that will help modernise policing, DDaT also comprises the Data Office which:

• Owns and drives the data compliance and analytics agenda.
• Brings together the accountabilities that are currently dispersed across the Met business areas.
• Consolidates and further develops existing Met data and insight services.
• Enables data sharing and collaboration to serve the public and external partners.

DDaT is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We support hybrid working, and the hiring manager will be happy to discuss arrangements for this role.

Job Purpose

The Data Rights Team operates within the Data Office as the primary response to data rights requests, associated queries, complaints and appeals on behalf of the organisation, supports the Met publication scheme to facilitate the proactive publication of information and responds to requests from insurance companies for policing information under the NPCC and ABI Memorandum of understanding.

Our Data Rights Managers are responsible for leading a team of Case Supervisors and Assistants, driving continual improvement, to ensure the Met discharges our statutory obligations and we provide the highest possible level of service to the public. The Data Rights Team has three business areas, each led by a Senior Manager.

• Right of Access
• Freedom of Information, Environmental Information Regulations, and Insurance
• Continual Improvement Team business functions, including complaint management, right to rectification/erasure requests, training and defending the Met position in relation to appeals & tribunals.

Key Role Responsibilities

These key responsibilities outline the functions of a Data Rights Manager (Band C).  Your specific duties will be defined based on your placement and will relate to the specific discipline you are assigned to (for example Right of Access or Freedom of Information).  It should be noted that Data Rights is in the process of becoming an omnicompetent unit and as such your assignment will change during your career to ensure you are competent in all Data Rights areas.

• Provide direction and support to ensure relevant Data Rights requests are dealt with expeditiously and in accordance with the legislation, taking personal responsibility for certain high risk/profile matters as required.
• Identify and respond to potential performance risks.
• Listen and respond to your staff, with overall responsibility for their welfare and development. Identify where recognition is due and challenge underperformance.
• Provide expert subject matter advice and support to staff regarding Data Rights within the Data Office and the wider Met.
• If required manage the ‘on site’ support functions (post/archive record retrieval etc) on behalf of the Data Rights Team. Act as a liaison between the Data Rights hubs (Sidcup and Hendon) and their respective building managers to ensure the smooth running of the hubs including ensuring resources are in place at each hub (i.e. printers).
• Manage all incoming Data Rights requests, ensuring prompt assessment and recording in a timely and accurate manner within our case management application, rejecting those that don’t meet relevant requirements.
• Liaise with NPCC Central Referral Unit and other internal and external stakeholders as required.
• Liaise with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in relation to concerns they have received about the way the Met has processed Data Rights applications.
• Provide open-source research support to identify what information is in the public domain to support timely case management of valid requests. Allocate requests to Data Rights Officers on an equitable and fair basis, considering any short-term resourcing pressures.
• Collaborate with other Data Rights Managers to ensure our training and SOPs remain fit for purpose.
• Give prompt advice to partnership organisations regarding information that originated from the MPS
• Process escalations in a timely manner ensuring that cases flow and blockages are dealt with.
• Be the decision maker for Data Rights requests as necessary.
• Attend any relevant meetings to support your Senior Manager.
• Provide Acting cover if required in the absence of your Senior Manager.
• Responsible for the performance of direct reports ensuring that the relevant corporate objectives for the team are met.
• Review and respond to complaints made by members of the public, ensuring their points are acknowledged, investigated and responded to within the relevant timeframes and in a robust and professional manner. Provide feedback and learning to fellow Data Rights Officers and/or their management.
• If required, manage the Data Rights SOP library, revising and drafting new SOPs as required. Conduct annual reviews and coordinate any necessary changes.
• Attend any relevant meetings to support your Senior Manager as directed.
• Provide insight on management information as required by SLT.
• Other tasks, relevant to the Band C role, as required.

Additional Information

• Vetting Clearance

This post requires access to the most sensitive intelligence material on a daily basis. Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo National Security Vetting (NSV) Security Check (enhanced) (SC(e)) level before taking up the post; with a willingness to undergo Developed Vetting (DV) once in post, if required.

• Hybrid Working

Hybrid Working available in line with the Metropolitan Police Service hybrid working policy.

How to apply

To begin your career at the Met, please click the "apply now" button below. The application process requires a comprehensive CV, a Personal Statement, and an online application form. In your Personal Statement (1000 words maximum) you should explain your interest in the position and illustrate how your skills and experiences (see stated criteria) make you a suitable candidate. Please note that you should not submit two copies of your CV and ensure that your documents are saved in either PDF or Word format, clearly labelled as CV and/or Personal Statement.

Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 5th June 2025.

Once received, your application will be reviewed against eligibility criteria, following this, your application will be reviewed by the hiring manager. The application review for this vacancy will commence mid-June.

Following application review, successful candidates will be invited to interview. Interview dates will commence end of June.

www.metpolicecareers.co.uk

Essential For The Role, e.g. qualifications, licenses, languages, training

Essential Criteria:

• Practical understanding of UK Data Rights legislation.
• Strong experience of managing a team and delivering performance improvement.
• An ability to work within a pressurised environment, supported by strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing requirements effectively.
• Previous experience of managing a high case load to meet statutory requirements and timescales.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, capable of influencing positively at a senior level if necessary.
• A track record of using creative ways to harness opportunities or meet challenges that arise from changing trends in relevant business area.
• An ability to create a supportive and compassionate team culture that recognises and values people.
• Previous experience in relation to the investigation & resolution of complaints.

Desirable Criteria:

• Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information.
• Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection.
• Previous experience of working within a law enforcement environment.