Defence Digital Senior Information Rights Lead

Defence Digital ensures our Armed Forces remain among the most technologically advanced in the world. We do this by putting innovative and effective technology into the hands of over 200,000 users, from the boardroom to the front line.

We lead on cutting-edge data science, automation, and cyber-security at scale. Our mission goes beyond the battlefield by leading humanitarian efforts and driving digital innovation that impacts lives across the globe.

Defence Digital forms part of Strategic Command which manages the MOD’s joint capabilities for the Army, RAF, and Royal Navy.

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This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The Information Stewardship Team is part of the Functional Integration Directorate within the MOD’s Defence Digital organisation. Within this team, the Information Rights team plays a vital role in ensuring Defence compliance with statutory information-related obligations, such as the Freedom of Information (FOIA) Act, Environmental Information Regulations (EIR), and Data Protection Act (DPA18). The incumbent will collaborate with stakeholders, including the National Security Liaison Group (NSLG), to guide the management of highly sensitive MOD information pertaining to national security and intelligence.

A comprehensive understanding of legal and statutory obligations, current technology, and its limitations is crucial. Equally important is an awareness of the organisation's information flow, which should be integrated with broader Information Governance and data sharing policies and strategies.

For further information and duties on the role, please see the Government Knowledge and Information Management (GKIM) Profession Skills Framework:  GKIM_Skills_Framework_-_static.docx (live.com)

Person specification

Responsibilities

• Leading MOD engagement with the cross-Whitehall National Security Liaison Group to ensure that requests that touch on security and intelligence matters are handled appropriately.
• Providing advice and direction to staff across the MOD on the application of exemptions/exceptions to legislation and the release of material.
• Assisting Business Units in the production of legally compliant responses, by providing peer review of written work and consultation on complex cases.
• Oversee the production of statistical returns including input to the Cabinet Office Freedom of Information National Statistics and work closely with areas that are not meeting targets to improve performance.
• Oversee the preparation and delivery of awareness and training activities to MOD policy and secretariat professionals including the Defence Academy facilitated FOI Practitioners Course.
• Ensure all requests are logged efficiently and allocated to the relevant business areas and acting as arbiter in cases when it is not clear where responsibility for the provision of the response lies.
• Line management of HEO post within MOD Information Rights Team.

Please ensure that your CV and application meet the below criteria and skills:

• Able to provide sound advice (written and oral) on the relative significance of information holdings and compliance with information rights legislation.
• Have excellent communicating and influencing skills and the ability to speak with authority to and gain the confidence of stakeholders across Defence and Government.
• Confident in building strong stakeholder relationships at all levels and navigate issues of National Security.
• Able to provide sound advice based on independent assessment of the relative significance of information holdings and compliance with information rights legislation.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• AG01 | Drafting policy and guidance - Practitioner

Benefits

• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• 25 days annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Ability to roll over up to 10 days annual leave per year
• In addition to 8 public holidays per year you will also receive leave for HM The King's birthday
• Minimum of 15 Days Special Leave in a rolling 12-month period to for volunteer military or emergency service reserve commitments
• Special Paid Leave for volunteering up to 6 days a year
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave
• Employee Assistance Programme to support your well-being
• Most sites have good travel links with free car parking; many also have other facilities such as a Sports & Social Club and Gyms
• Benefit Pension Scheme:   Civil Service pension
• Please see Benefits link for more info: Civilian Discover My Benefits (mod.gov.uk)

Equality and Diversity 
Our people are at the heart of everything we do at Defence Digital. It’s vital that our workforce reflects the diversity of both our audience and the wider society in the UK, so we’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer and we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities. We also recognise the importance of a good work life balance, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including part-time and job shares for all our roles. Please let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process if this is something you want to explore.

Professional Framework Statement   
Defence Digital operates an organisation model in which every individual belongs to a Government Profession. The successful applicant will be posted into one of the defined Government Professions on Standard Terms of Reference for the grade. Defence Digital reserves the right to move individuals between roles, within their allocated profession, to meet the needs of the business and in support of agile resourcing.  Within Defence Digital each profession is led by a Professional Head of Community who will lead professional development and support the Continuous Professional Development path for their group.

Learning & Development 
In Defence Digital we have a strong learning and development ethos, supporting you to fulfil your potential by providing:

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• Professional and Personal Development of skills
• Access to thousands of training courses through Civil Service Learning, some free or paid by MOD
• Ability to obtain industry recognised qualifications supported by MOD

Hybrid Working

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working.  This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity.  Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details).  The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.  This post is working 37 hours per week.  Dependent on the ‘tasking’ and business need, there will be a requirement to travel to meetings within the UK.

**Due to security and information access restriction, the role is only open to a sole UK British national**