Position: Information Rights Officer Foi (G10) (Legal)
Location: Tipping Street, Stafford, ST16 2DH
Start Date: ASAP
Contract Duration: 6+ Months
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Pay Rate: PAYE: £ 23.37 per hour
Job Responsibilities
- Manage and respond to Freedom of Information (FOI), Environmental Information Regulations (EIR), and Data Protection requests in line with statutory deadlines and legislation
- Provide expert advice on information rights legislation, including the Data Protection Act 2018, UK GDPR, FOI Act 2000, and EIR 2004
- Review, assess, and determine the disclosure or exemption of information, applying relevant legal exemptions where appropriate
- Liaise with internal departments and external stakeholders to gather information required for statutory responses
- Draft clear, legally robust, and customer-focused response letters to requesters
- Provide guidance and support to council staff on information governance, records management, and compliance requirements
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of information governance policies, procedures, and best practice guidance
- Monitor compliance with statutory timescales and ensure accurate tracking and reporting of FOI/EIR requests
- Handle complex and sensitive information requests, ensuring confidentiality and legal compliance at all times
- Support the council in promoting transparency while balancing legal obligations and risk
Person Specification
Experience
- Experience handling Freedom of Information (FOI), Environmental Information Regulations (EIR), or Data Protection requests in a public sector or regulated environment
- Experience interpreting and applying information rights legislation in a professional setting
- Experience working with sensitive, complex, or legally restricted information
Knowledge
- Strong working knowledge of FOI Act 2000, Environmental Information Regulations 2004, Data Protection Act 2018, and UK GDPR
- Understanding of exemptions, public interest tests, and disclosure principles
- Knowledge of information governance principles, records management, and compliance frameworks
Skills and Abilities
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex legal and policy information
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, accurate, and legally sound responses
- Ability to influence and advise colleagues and stakeholders on compliance and information governance matters
- Strong attention to detail and ability to work accurately under pressure and to strict deadlines
- Ability to manage competing priorities and handle a high-volume caseload effectively
- Confident in making justified decisions regarding disclosure and exemption of information
Qualifications
- Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant professional experience in information governance, law, or a related field
Personal Attributes
- High level of integrity and commitment to confidentiality and data protection principles
- Professional, proactive, and solution-focused approach
- Ability to remain objective when handling sensitive or contentious requests
- Strong commitment to transparency, accountability, and public service values
Job Reference: 5300216
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 6 months
Pay: £23.37 per hour
Experience:
- handling Freedom of Information: 2 years (required)
- Environmental Information Regulations: 1 year (required)
- Data Protection : 1 year (required)
- knowledge of FOI Act 2000: 1 year (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
