Police Digital Service (PDS) is recruiting on behalf of the NPCC National Data & Analytics Office - a dedicated national capability transforming data use in policing.
Data Protection Advisor. Fixed Term Contract - 12 Months, Full time. Salary £75,000 per annum.
The NDAO Data Protection Advisor will provide expert, authoritative advice on data protection and information governance within a complex policing and law enforcement environment. The role will ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR, while enabling lawful, proportionate and ethical use of data in support of operational outcomes.
The postholder will design, develop and embed robust data protection and data governance arrangements, working closely with NPCC Data Protection Leads, senior stakeholders, technical teams, partner organisations and police forces. This includes operating effectively within joint controllership models and supporting the delivery of significant technological and organisational change
Our Values are:
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We value People
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We do the right thing
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We are innovative
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We are one Team
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We are proud and passionate
You can find out more here:
Benefits - Police Digital Service (pds.police.uk)
Key Responsibilities
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Act as a senior subject matter expert on data protection within a Part 3 (law enforcement) processing environment.
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Provide strategic and operational advice on the application of the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR, ensuring lawful and proportionate data use.
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Design and develop data protection artefacts from first principles, tailored to operational and organisational need, including:
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Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs)
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Data Sharing Agreements
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Data Processing Contracts
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Appropriate Policy Documents
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Privacy Notices
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Lead and support the design, implementation and embedding of effective data governance frameworks across complex organisations and partnerships.
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Provide data protection expertise within joint controllership arrangements, ensuring clarity of roles, responsibilities and accountability.
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Advise on police-specific legislative considerations and their interaction with data protection obligations.
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Work as part of multi-disciplinary teams delivering substantial technological and data-driven change programmes.
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Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders, providing clear, confident and proportionate advice.
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Prepare and deliver high-quality briefings, reports and presentations to a range of audiences.
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Complete Equality Impact Assessments and support the application of ethical frameworks, ensuring compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty.
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Support Data Ethics activities for new initiatives.
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Manage complex and competing priorities, delivering work to time and to a high standard.
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Line management for a small data compliance team
What you need to succeed in the role
Knowledge:
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Substantial experience operating at Data Protection Officer (or equivalent) level within an organisation processing data under Part 3 of the Data Protection Act 2018.
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Comprehensive knowledge of the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR.
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Tangible experience of designing, developing and embedding data governance arrangements within complex organisations or partnership environments.
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Proven experience delivering data protection within joint controllership models.
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Demonstrable experience working within multi-disciplinary teams to deliver significant technological or organisational change.
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Experience of completing Equality Impact Assessments and applying ethical frameworks in a public sector context.
Key Skills:
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Ability to design bespoke data protection artefacts from first principles, rather than relying on pre-formatted templates.
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Strong senior stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and advise at pace.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong presentation capability.
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A flexible and pragmatic approach to meeting expectations and organisational priorities.
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Proven ability to manage complex workloads and deliver projects to time.
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Demonstrated ability to operate independently, providing appropriate challenge where necessary to robustly advocate for the rights and interests of data subjects.
Qualifications:
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CIPP/E, Certified Data Protection Officer (DPO) or equivalent qualification.
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CIPM or equivalent information governance or privacy management qualification.
Diversity, equity and inclusion
We are committed to equal opportunities for all and will not discriminate on any grounds. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible span of experience. All applicants will be considered without attention to age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, nationality, neurodiversity or disability status.
Working Arrangements
This is a remote role with some national travel required to attend meetings.
All applicants must be eligible to undergo NPPV3 (Non Police Personnel Vetting Level 3) and SC vetting clearances. Successful applicants will require NPPV3 clearance to have been cleared before starting with PDS.
Please note, we may choose to close the advert early if we receive a high volume of applications for this role so please endeavour to complete your application as soon as possible
