About the job

Job summary

Job Title – Data Release & Acquisition Officer

Profession- Information Management & Privacy

Directorate – Data Analytics & Surveillance

Full Time equivalent - 37.5 hours

No of Roles – 1

Contract Type – Permanent

Location – National

UKHSA operates a hybrid working model where business needs allow.  This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's locations (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).  Specialist or regional roles will be based at the appropriate UKHSA site. For certain roles, some additional flexibility may be possible, which will be agreed upon with the hiring manager based on individual requirements and business needs.

Working Pattern – Full Time /Job Share / Flexible Working/ Hybrid Working

Grade & Salary – Grade HEO. National banding- £30,473  - £37,215 per annum Inner London - £34,463- -£41,478 per annum Outer London - £32,469- £39,532 per annum

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&C’s are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/.

Closing Date – 01/03/2024. 23:55pm. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered

Interview Date – W/C 18/03/2024.  Please note, these dates are subject to change.

Job description

Information Management and Privacy (IMP)’s mission is to provide modern, robust  information governance services and assurance of UKHSA data, information, and records. We do this by enabling the organisation to prepare and respond more effectively to health threats by enhancing the controlled and lawful use of our data and information, building public trust, and safeguarding the reputation of the organisation.

We are in search of a talented information governance professional to step into the position of Data Release & Acquisition Officer. As an integral part of our division, you will play a pivotal role as a data protection subject matter expert, conducting thorough data protection impact assessments, ensuring compliance with relevant data protection laws and standards, and serving as a primary point of contact for inquiries about data sharing.

Your expertise will be instrumental in providing insightful advice on data protection requirements, as well as striking a balance between safeguarding data and maximising the public health benefit derived from sharing data with public health partners, the NHS, universities, and industry. Your efforts will directly contribute to serving UKHSA's health security remit, making a tangible impact on public health outcomes through data driven decision making.

To thrive in this role, you should bring a foundation of data protection knowledge, coupled with strong organisational skills and an unwavering attention to detail. Being a self-starter is essential, as is the ability to manage competing demands and prioritise effectively. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, is also a prerequisite for this position.

Job Overview

This position sits within the Data Release & Acquisition team, who deliver a request-response service for UKHSA specialising in supporting third parties to access UKHSA data for secondary purposes, including research.

 

As part of DR&A, the postholder is expected to use their own initiative and be able to work with minimal supervision to facilitate the end-to-end management of data access applications, providing specialist advice and recommendations on data sharing, as well as, undertaking specific project work as and when necessary to support the acquisition of new data into UKHSA. 

 

The role will require you to liaise with internal and external stakeholders to deliver a customer-centric service, while working within data protection laws and ICO best practice. You will manage a portfolio of data application requests, preparing and maintaining documentation and under supervision of senior managers and the Head of Data Release & Acquisition, be responsible for drafting and executing data sharing agreements with external partners, ensuring the terms, conditions, and safeguards for sharing personal data are well-defined, while safeguarding the rights of data subjects.

 

Throughout everything you do, you will champion the highest levels of information governance and customer care. You will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This includes:

 

Internal

• Managers and staff in other IMP teams
• Data Protection Officer
• Caldicott Guardian Office
• Information Asset Owners and system administrators
• Directorate and division information governance support officers

 

External

• Department of Health and Social Care Information Risk Management and Assurance team
• External data controller and data processor representatives

• Prospective and active applicants for data

 

Main Duties of the Job

This is an opportunity to support Information Management and Privacy Operations in a fast-

paced environment and a young, but high-profile organisation.

 

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities, and duties:

• Acting as a Data Protection subject matter professional and the first point of contact for data sharing related process queries, providing specialist advice on request
• Providing effective support to stakeholders and undertaking assessment of requests to process UKHSA data or for UKHSA to acquire data controlled by a third party.
• Preparing and maintaining documentation to demonstrate compliance with data protection laws.
• With supervision, executing data sharing agreements with external partners, outlining the terms, conditions, and safeguards for sharing personal data while protecting the rights of data subjects.
• Logging, updating, and tracking the progress of data requests, taking personal responsibility for maintaining good records.
• Supporting the update and maintenance of the corporate data sharing register, Register of Processing Activities (ROPA), public-facing Data Approvals Register and other relevant risk and issues registers.
• Understanding, in detail, the legal, policy or ethical constraints that may impact sharing of data, ensuring these are understood and adhered to within data sharing applications and agreements.
• Supporting the Head of Data Release & Acquisition to draft policies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures that govern data sharing activities.
• Working collaboratively as part of the wider IMP function and with fellow professionals across government, sharing knowledge and skills in the common interest.
• Championing a strong data protection culture across UKHSA in line with the UKHSA data strategy and the Licence to Operate Programme.
• Keeping abreast of changes in data protection laws to update policies and practices accordingly and help to drive continuous improvement in the services delivered by the Data Release & Acquisition team.

 

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

 

 

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

 

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Educated to degree level, preferably in a relevant subject or equivalent level of experience
• Interest in, and understanding of, data protection legislation and its application to health data
• Excellent attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to prioritise between competing pressures and demands
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including for periods without direct supervision
• Self-awareness and resilience when dealing with conflict or challenging situations
• A values-based approach to how data is utilised, ensuring that it is not only lawful but fair, meeting the reasonable expectations of the people whose data UKHSA is entrusted to protect
• Proficient in using Microsoft 365, including Excel.
• An understanding of and commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace, equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
• Understand that bullying, harassment, and discrimination is unacceptable.

 

Desirable criteria

• Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) certification or equivalent
• Understanding of research concepts, methodologies, and principles, and/or research governance.
• Ability to translate data protection law into everyday terms and actions

 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,473, UK Health Security Agency contributes £8,227 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

Stage 1: Application & Sift

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a Personal Statement / Statement of Suitability in no more than 1000 words. We will be assessing advertised criteria at sift.

This should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the advertised criteria

You will also be asked to provide information within the ‘Employer/ Activity history’ section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history. This will be used in the sifting process and will be scored

Please note: The system will allow you to write up to 1500 words but please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

 

Stage 2: Panel Interview

This vacancy is using Success Profiles. During the interview we will assess your Behaviours.
 
Behaviours to be assessed:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Making effective decisions
• Changing and Improving

 

You will be asked to prepare and present a 5–10-minute presentation. The subject of this will be sent to you prior to interview.

 

Reserve List:

Candidates who pass the interview criteria but are not offered a post will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months and may be contacted if similar roles become available.

If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.

 

DBS - People working with government systems must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which includes a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed for this role is BPSS however there may be a requirement for this role to be SC cleared and you should familiarise yourself with the criteria of security clearance.

 

This role is Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants). Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules. This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.

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 welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Government baseline personnel security standard

It’s important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:

• life sentences
• arson
• sexual offences
• hate and terror offences

Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role

Complaint process:

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.

 

Contact Details – Sophie.Rigney@reed.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.