About the job

Job summary

This is an exciting time to work in the Department for Business and Trade, at the very heart of the UK’s international trading relationship with the global economy. We are based in Whitehall but also have offices both across the country and around the world. 
 
We are seeking a conscientious and organised candidate to join the Information Rights Unit within the Knowledge and Information Management (KIM) Department as an Information Rights Case Adviser. As a growing team within the Department, this is a unique and challenging opportunity to be involved in systems and process change. 
 
The Information Rights Case Adviser will be responsible for supporting the Department’s compliance with information rights legislation and standards, by responding to information requests via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Environmental Information Regulation (EIR). 

Job description

The Information Rights Case Adviser will be responsible for: 

• Effective management of FOI requests received by the Department. Ensuring accurate and timely responses are delivered within statutory compliance timeframes.
• Providing assistance to Senior FOI Case Advisers with internal reviews of FOI requests
• Continuous development of knowledge of information rights legislation to manage complex or difficult cases.
• Proactive engagement to build strong, positive relationships across the Department, with external stakeholders and with Private Offices to promote the Information Rights Unit and FOI capability within the Department.
• Development and delivery of training, awareness and guidance to the Department on Information Rights, working to improve the culture and awareness in the Department.
• Assisting the Information Rights management team with tasks and FOI team priorities. For example, the production of FOI statistics, development of templates or maintenance of the active case log.

Person specification

Roles and Responsibilities

The Information Rights Case Adviser will be responsible for:

The ideal candidate would have knowledge of FOI compliance combined with a good amount of experience of file and case management of FOI requests. You will be experienced in providing FOI or compliance advice and working to tight regulatory deadlines. You will possess high level of attention to detail, organisational skills and the ability to remain focused under pressure. A good communicator, with excellent interpersonal skills and ability to handle sensitive information discreetly. Experience of drafting letters, reports with strong IT skills would be valued in this role

Essential Criteria 

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate:

• Knowledge of the application of the Freedom of Information Act.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to confidently engage with and influence individuals and teams across the Department.
• Attention to detail and the ability to escalate issues.
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of planning and organisational skill, including the ability to prioritise effectively and work to tight deadlines.
• A collaborative approach to working with and supporting others and strong interpersonal skills.
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Office; SharePoint/Word/Excel/PowerPoint 

Desirable Criteria  

FOI qualifications at foundation or practitioner level or demonstrable practical experience of working with the Freedom of Information Act is preferred, however individuals who can demonstrate strong analytical research skills with the ability to constructively challenge assumptions will be considered.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £32,858, Department for Business and Trade contributes £9,877 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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.

Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.

To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:  

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages.
• A Personal Statement of up to 500 words, explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria.

After the closing date It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date though this is subject to change.

In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview. 

Reasonable Adjustments

We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment: 

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. 

Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.  

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Candidate Support

You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.  

Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department. 

Further Information:

• A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.   
• Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments
• The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.  
• New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.  
• Terms and Conditions are attached.  Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.  
• Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
• This role may be considered as a secondment opportunity. Please reach out to the hiring manager listed at the bottom of this advert to discuss.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland/Access NI on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk 

For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk 

Feedback

Vetting 

The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

Feedback

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

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.