About the job

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a Data Protection Lead in our Digital and Technology Group (D&T).

This is a full- time, permanent opportunity*. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU and South Mimms, Hertfordshire.

We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 12 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly.

*Other working patterns may be available. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment.

Who are we? 

If you have had a COVID-19 vaccine or have ever taken a medicine, or used a medical device, then you have already come into contact with the MHRA. Our vision, One Agency - Delivering for Patients, underpins all that we do as we set out on an ambitious roadmap for change to become a truly world-leading, enabling regulator that protects public health through excellence in regulation and science.

The Digital and Technology Group (D&T) is responsible for making sure that our scientists, inspectors and all of our staff have the tools and data they need to deliver the very best services they can to improve outcomes for patients and the general public. The Group was essential in the race to approve COVID-19 vaccines in 2020 and in supporting the UK to set up its own medicines and devices approvals systems following our exit from the EU. The work we do matters!

We plan to be at the heart of one of the most digitally advanced medical regulators in the world and we need people who can help us deliver that ambition. D&T is a great place to build your career and we are committed to enabling our people to do the best work of their lives.

The Knowledge and Information Management team within the Digital Enablement function is responsible for data protection as well as setting the MHRA’s standards and frameworks for our management and use of records and information.

Job description

What’s the role?

The Data Protection Lead will act as the Agency’s Data Protection Officer as required under UK GDPR.

The postholder will be responsible for championing data protection across the Agency by supporting the maintenance and enhancement of our existing services leading the development of new services and approaches that will improve data protection practice in the Agency. 

Key responsibilities

• Improve how the MHRA manages data protection, to support patient safety, and establish processes for strong governance around data protection in the Agency.
• Help improve information governance in MHRA, managing a framework of information governance policies.
• Provide data protection and information governance support and advice to Information Asset Owners and the Information Assurance Group, reporting back on compliance issues.
• Investigate and propose the resolution of complex, non-routine data issues relating to data protection.
• Deliver and develop training and user education materials relating to information management and data protection which are fit for purpose.

Person specification

The successful candidate will have experience of developing and implementing data protection policies in a complex organisation and advising on improving processes and compliance.

You should have experience of balancing and mitigating different information governance risks in accordance with departmental approaches and strategies.

You should have a track record of working with Information Asset Owners and other stakeholders to ensure compliance with the organisation’s governance regime.

You will be a confident communicator with a track record of building and maintaining a network of colleagues, working across different teams and supply chains, using strong interpersonal relationships to influence and lead others.

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification. 

Please note: The job description may not open in some internet browsers. Please use Chrome or Microsoft Edge. If you have any issue viewing the job description, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £42,869, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £11,574 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

How to Apply and Selection Process

Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application. Please do not attach a CV to your application.

Application:

Please apply online at the MHRA. Please answer all the questions in the on-line application form.

We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here. 

Please submit a supporting statement of no more than 1000 words, ensuring that you provide evidence which demonstrates that you have the Behaviour and Experience and Technical criteria marked "A" (Application) in the Person Specification section of the Job Description.

Please ensure that you provide full details of responsibilities and achievements in your previous employments and provide details of all relevant qualifications.

Interview:

The Interview will be aligned to the Person Specification criteria marked “I” (Interview) in the Person Specification of the Job Description.

Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role.

If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk 

 

Closing Date:  2nd August 2024

Shortlisting Date: 5th – 9th August 2024

Interview Date: 15th / 16th August 2024

 

Use of AI in Job Applications

Applicants must ensure that anything submitted is factually accurate and truthful. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.

 

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here. 

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro-life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Any move to the MHRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here.

Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk.

In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit by a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should firstly contact Mira Mepa, Head of Recruitment and Operations, Mira.Mepa@mhra.gov.uk.  

 

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk 

 

info@csc.gov.uk  

Civil Service Commission 

Room G/8 

1 Horse Guards Road 

London 

SW1A 2HQ 

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

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)
• 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)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.