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General Information

Salary
The national salary range is £41,463 - £45,276, London salary range is £47,657 - £52,040. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
Cross Government
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
08-Aug-2025
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
SEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
8242

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Job Description

Job Title  Information Assurance Lead

Grade  SEO

Business Group  Chief Operating Officer Group

Contract Type  Permanent

Directorate  Business Architecture & Transformation Directorate, MoJ People and Capability

Team  People Information Team, People Analytics & Information Division

Location  National

Business Architecture and Transformation

The Business Architecture and Transformation (BAT) Directorate helps make sure the Ministry of Justice has an operating model (the right people, the right structure, the tools and the capability) that is fit for purpose and effective over the short and medium-term; but equally important, sets a future organisation strategy that is ambitious, effective and efficient and supports the department to implement that strategy. 

Whether focusing on the immediate challenge to improve the effectiveness of HQ, supporting the Chief Operating Officer (COO) to run a high-performing, people-focused, data-driven and efficient COO Group, or challenging the MoJ Executive Committee on the strategic shifts they might make to create an even better place to work, BAT strives to be the best Directorate to work in MoJ. We value collaboration, inclusion, authenticity, high professional standards, a passion for curiosity and a healthy appetite to deliver. 

About the Role

The MoJ People & Capability Information Assurance Lead (IA Lead) is responsible for managing Data Protection (DP) and Information Assurance (IA) governance and compliance as well as overseeing Information Management (IM) activities.  The IA Lead will be the Group’s subject matter expert on the proper handling, storage, use and disposal of all information across the group, ensuring our compliance both with departmental policy and the relevant legislation, e.g., Public Records Act, Data Protection Act, etc. 

The post holder will be a resilient, engaging, and influential individual focusing on maximising the impact personal data and business information has in supporting P&C’s outputs. Handling, storing, using, and disposing of information effectively is vital to the successful operation of the group and the delivery of people services as it enhances collaborative working and underpins better decision making.

They will lead engagement with stakeholders to raise the profile of DP, IA and IM and demonstrate their importance to the organisation’s operation though improved collaboration and better decision making based on well managed information.

This role can be based in any Ministry of Justice HQ office, JSO, JCC and some travel to London and other offices may be required for in-person meetings, to be agreed according to business need.

Main Activities / Responsibilities

Data Protection & Information Assurance

  • As Information Assurance Lead you will be P&C’s Data Protection subject matter expert and provide advice to business areas on complying with the relevant legislation in line with departmental and ICO guidance and standards, including the use of Privacy Notices, Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA), and Data Sharing Agreements to ensure sensitive information is processed ethically and legally.
  • Working with the G7 to provide the HR Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO) with regular reports for P&C on data protection matters including outcome of audits and compliance checks, complaints, breaches/incidents, and any related issues.
  • Identify, report and work to mitigate risks and breaches/incidents, escalating to the Dep SIRO where appropriate.
  • Assess and approve internal and external data subject rights requests, e.g., right to be forgotten requests, Subject Access Requests, etc.
  • Conduct assurance activities to ensure compliance with UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018, including audits and action plans where there is non-compliance to mitigate the identified risk or issue.
  • Educate P&C staff on the need to complete DPIAs where they need to use personal data to deliver their outputs, providing the staff completing these with specialist data protection advice.
  • Work with Security & Information Directorate (SID) teams to champion and comply with data protection and information security policies.
  • Respond to requests for MoJ HR data from internal and external agencies, assessing their validity and ensuring the necessary documentation is completed setting out all parties’ responsibilities for handling and use.

Information Management

  • Lead the HEO Information Manager and EO Information Officer in promoting the benefits of Knowledge & Information Management (KIM), ensuring all business areas receive the correct advice on how to manage their information to comply with legislation, departmental policy and recognised best practice.
  • Confidently communicate the importance of information management to the efficient running of the Group via various methods such as writing newsletter articles and delivering presentations and briefs to key groups such as the Senior Leadership Team, including DG P&C
  • Oversee the development of a network of focal points across P&C to understand and support their area’s key information needs, including providing information-related training sessions for all People Group staff.
  • Review proposed designs for functional file structures so that they can be implemented to provide collaborative working areas on all relevant systems, e.g., MS Teams, SharePoint, etc.
  • Work with MoJ Information Services Division leadership (G6 & G7s) to plan and oversee the implementation of incoming information capability enhancements such as the Digital Records Roadmap, new collaborative working tools, etc.
  • Ensure the HEO and EO carry out timely reviews of registered files (both electronic and hardcopy) in accordance with departmental policy and the Public Records Act
  • Work with Information Asset Owners (DD-level) to make sure they are aware of their responsibilities and are being supported in identifying and managing personal information assets.
  • Ensure the delivery of the People Group’s information stores, e.g., SharePoint, MS Teams, etc.  Ensuring users are upskilled and made aware of the features these tools bring to improve collaborative working.  Explore opportunities to simplify or automate processes to improve efficiency.

Support to the G7 Dep SIRO

  • Deputise for the Dep SIRO as and when required, including attending departmental data protection and information-related Boards and sub-committees.
  • Provide regular reports for the Dep SIRO on data protection and information management matters including the outcome of audits and compliance checks, complaints, and any related issues.
  • Ensure all DPIAs are completed to an acceptable standard for the Dep SIRO to review and approve.

Management of Resources

You will line manage 1 x HEO Information Manager and be the countersigning officer for 1 x EO Information Officer

You will be accountable to the People & Capability (P&C) Deputy Senior Information Risk Owner (Dep SIRO)

Essential Criteria

Behaviours

Seeing the Big Picture

  • Evidence of ability to work confidently and effectively and at a strategic level whilst demonstrating strong leadership and management skills.
  • Excellent strategic and tactical thinking skills, to understand the impact of actions. And the ability to change gears: to know when to slow down and be reflective, and when to move at pace to drive toward a conclusion.

Changing and Improving

  • An experienced Government Knowledge & Information Management (GKIM) professional with a proven track record of delivering information management support to their organisation.
  • History of successfully managing KIM projects to deliver business improvements including better collaboration and increased efficiency and security.
  • Willingness to take ownership for risks and issues as they arise, and to pro-actively lead on proposed solutions to problems, experience of positively adapting to and embracing change.

Communicating and Influencing

  • Be able to deliver often quite technical messages in a simple, highly effective manner, ensuring the importance of information management is understood as well as showing how we can assist in delivering business improvements to gain buy-in from teams. 

Working Together

  • Demonstrate an ability to build, manage and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders.  This will be internally across all areas of People Group as well as externally with the central Security & Information Group (SIG) teams.

Statement of Suitability

  • Expert knowledge of data protection laws and practices, as well as in in-depth understanding of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and knowledge of the UK Data Protection Act 2018.
  • Strong background in Record and information management, developing and managing information and data security assurance programmes, including with third parties with the confidence to act as a leading authority to all relevant business units.

Desirable Criteria

  • Qualification in Data Protection, e.g., Certified Information Privacy Professional Europe (CIPP/E) or be willing to undertake the necessary studies to obtain these qualifications.
  • Membership of a relevant chartered/professional institute, e.g., Information & Records Management Society (IRMS), International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)

We may consider any evidence within the application form that demonstrates meeting the desirable criteria as set out in the job description. This will only be after essential criteria is scored and where there is a need to differentiate between closely scored candidates.

Application process

You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework.

Sift

Experience

  • You are required to submit a CV (this must be anonymised)
  • Statement of Suitability (no more than 750 words). Please ensure you include examples of job experiences that cover the two specific essential criteria above, would contribute and benefit you delivering this role, and demonstrates knowledge and experience of both data protection and information management. 

Behaviours

Please provide examples of how you meet the behaviours (listed below). In your answers please address the points listed in the behaviour section of the essential criteria:

  • Seeing the Big Picture (lead behaviour)
  • Changing and Improving
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together 

Please refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade:

Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UK

If we receive a large number of applications, we will carry out an initial sift on statement of suitability.

Candidates invited to Interview

Please note that interviews will be carried out remotely via MS Teams and are expected to take place in late August 2025/early September 2025.

During the interview, we will be assessing you on:

Behaviours

You will be asked for examples of how you meet these behaviours:

  • Seeing the Big Picture (lead behaviour)
  • Changing and Improving
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working together

Strengths

You will be asked questions on a range of strengths.

Contact point for applicants

For more information about the role please contact: mark.thomas2@justice.gov.uk

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles: All successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale.  This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). 

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours 

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits 

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension 

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training 

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks 

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Eligibility

Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.

Vacancies advertised “cross-government” are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 8242

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 8242

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Seeing the Big Picture
Changing and Improving
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
Please ensure you include examples of job experiences that cover the two specific essential criteria included in the job description, would contribute and benefit you delivering this role, and demonstrates knowledge and experience of both data protection and information management.
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Expected late August to early September
Behaviours
Seeing the Big Picture
Changing and Improving
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Level of security checks required
Baseline Personnal Security Standard (BPSS)