Lead Policy Officer, Digital Economy Team

The ICO is looking for a Lead Policy Officer to join the Digital Economy Team (DET) within our Innovation Department. The DET leads the ICO’s policy-level engagement with some of the world’s largest social media, technology, and online platform providers. The products and services provided by these organisations are a part of everyday life for a significant majority of UK citizens, and the DET takes a proactive approach to addressing the data protection and privacy issues arising from the ever increasing volume of social and professional activity taking place in digital and connected environments.

The Lead Policy Officer will play a key role in supporting the DET’s engagement with its assigned stakeholders and in researching emerging privacy issues within the digital economy. This is an exciting opportunity to help us shape how the information rights practices of large multi-national technology companies impact the lives of the UK public.

About the ICO

The ICO is the UK’s independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals.

The ICO’s work is interesting and immensely rewarding – it is of national importance and increasingly in the public eye. We are at the forefront of information rights policy development, providing direct advice to the public, and enforcing the UK’s data protection and freedom of information laws. We hold a unique position as a regulator across the whole of the private, public and third sectors.

About the Innovation Department

The Innovation Department is responsible for leading the ICO’s work on the privacy and data protection issues arising from new and innovative uses of personal data. It deals with some of the most high profile issues of the day, from the increasing amount of personalisation and profiling taking place in online environments, to the assessment of risk when deploying new and novel technology. The department plays an important role engaging with government, regulators, industry, and leading academics. Our role is to influence stakeholders and support innovators taking a data protection by-design approach to the development of new products and services.

About you

Degree educated or equivalent, you will have a strong interest in information rights, privacy, and the development of the digital economy. You will be an excellent team player and have the skills necessary to maintain accurate records of the DET’s external stakeholder engagement activities. In addition, you will take a proactive approach to your work, gathering intelligence and undertaking background research to identify emerging privacy issues within the digital economy.

You will need to be a clear and confident communicator, both in writing and in person, with the ability to support senior colleagues in their engagement with external industry stakeholders.

Ideally, you will have existing knowledge of data protection law, although we are equally open to applications from those who can demonstrate relevant experience of applying similarly complex legislation and the ability to adapt quickly. Past experience of working within a regulatory, technology, or internet focused environment would also be an advantage.

How to apply

Visit ico.jobs to complete our online application form.

Closing date: 23:59, Sunday 22 November 2020

Why work for the Information Commissioner's Office?

We are proud to provide our people with a premium benefits package. We are continually improving the rewards we offer. Here are a few of the valuable rewards that you will enjoy:

• Flexible working hours, including flexi leave.
• Civil Service Pension arrangements.
• 25 days' paid holiday a year with options to buy, sell, and bank days.
• Extra "privilege" days in addition to normal public holidays.
• Compressed working hours options.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.
• Health cash plan.
• Colleague assistance scheme.
• Access to many discounted products and services.
• Welfare and family-friendly policies.
• Staff medical scheme and eyesight testing.

Our employees are currently working remotely in line with government guidelines.

Please note if you are appointed to work with the ICO you will be required to complete security clearance processes. These include identity and qualification checks and a Basic Disclosure level check of unspent criminal convictions.

The ICO is committed to Equal Opportunities in employment and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.