Data Protection Officer

Job Title: Data Protection Officer
Location: Belfast, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, Nottingham, Salford. 2 days per week in the office.
Daily Rate: £400-500/day (Umbrella – Maximum)
Duration: Until 30/10/26
IR35 Status: Inside IR35

Security Clearance: SC

Description:

• Act as the Fair Work Agency’s central coordinator for Subject Access Requests (SARs), Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, and complaints about the FWA.
• Log, triage and track cases end-to-end, ensuring statutory timescales are met and extensions/exemptions are applied appropriately and defensibly.
• Commission searches and draft input from directorates, setting clear instructions, deadlines and quality expectations; chase and escalate where required.
• Review material for relevance and sensitivity; coordinate redaction in line with UK GDPR/Data Protection Act 2018 and FOIA requirements; maintain an audit trail of decisions.
• Draft clear, accurate responses (and refusal/partial disclosure notices where needed), ensuring appropriate sign-off and consistent tone.
• Provide advice and guidance to colleagues on information rights obligations, records handling, and “what to look for” when conducting searches.
• Liaise within the organisation and other stakeholders as needed
• Identify recurring risks and themes (e.g., record-keeping gaps, repeat requesters, common exemptions), and propose practical improvements to processes, templates and training.
• Support with knowledge and information management tasks as required

Essential criteria

• Proven experience coordinating and responding to information rights casework, such as SARs and FOI requests, including commissioning searches, applying exemptions, and producing high-quality written responses.
• Strong working knowledge of UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, and a practical understanding of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, including statutory timescales.
• Demonstrable ability to work on own initiative as a self-starter, managing competing priorities and driving actions to completion in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent judgement and attention to detail, with the ability to handle sensitive information, make clear, defensible decisions, and maintain accurate records/audit trails.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, able to influence and challenge constructively, and communicate clearly with colleagues at all levels.

To apply for this role please submit your latest CV or contact Aspect Resources on (phone number removed)

Disability Confident

As a member of the disability confident scheme, CLIENT guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.

Armed Forces Covenant

CLIENT is proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant and as such, we guarantee to interview all veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.

If you qualify for the above, please notify us on (phone number removed).

We will be in touch to discuss your suitability and arrange your Guaranteed Interview.

Should you require reasonable adjustments at any point during the recruitment process or if there is a more accessible way for us to communicate, please do let me know.