Assistant Disclosure Specialist (MOJ Disclosure & Library Team)

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Job description:

As an Assistant Disclosure Specialist, you will be contributing towards the maintenance and continuous improvement of the Team’s important and varied functions. The Team covers the whole of the Department in terms of Freedom of Information (FOI), Environmental Information Regulation (EIR), and casework relating to the UK General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018. Topics may include the management of high-profile offenders, court cases, Legal Aid payments, prison and court security matters, formulation of policy, and the work of Ministers. You will need to work closely with External Communications, Private Office, and the Senior Civil Service.

The main tasks include:

• You will be responsible for building and maintaining strong and supportive working relationships with key stakeholders including our network of drafters, Private Office, External Communications, and the Information Commissioner’s Office.
• You will target support and provide training where it is required which promote the business’ ability to manage requests on time, lawfully, and in line with departmental policy and procedure.
• You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, alongside the ability to advise colleagues.
• Guidance, Training and Development: You will support the delivery of our expanding programme of guidance and training to staff across the Department on FOI, EIR and GDPR/DPA matters, ensuring the Department has the capability to meet obligations under the legislation.
• There will be a need to work flexibly across all parts of the team in response to business needs.
• One role within the five vacancies will be responsible for the effective running of MoJ’s FOI and DPA operations and have responsibility for the management of our inbox. Amongst other things the team is the central point of contact for the public and Department on FOI and DPA matters; produces guidance for and provides advice to a network of over 200 staff across the MoJ; identifies and ensures appropriate handling of sensitive and complex cases; produces MI and statistical data for all MoJ Senior Civil Servants and the Departmental Board; and manages the Department’s FOI transparency obligations.
• While experience of dealing with FOI and GDPR/DPA would be welcome, it is not essential as the successful candidate will receive face-to-face and on-the-job training, as required, and knowledge will be developed once in the role.

Essential experience:

• Collaborative approach, able to build strong relationships across boundaries, within team, across MoJ and with external stakeholders.
• Drafting and communications skills, with a demonstrable ability to deliver clear and persuasive arguments that are effective in reaching targeted audiences.
• A strong commitment to delivering a high-quality service and regularly reviewing processes.

Desirable experience

• Working knowledge of Freedom of Information Act 2000, Environmental Information Regulations 2004, Data Protection Act 2018, and the General Data Protection Regulation.

Personal Development:

The role is an opportunity to gain an insight into the work of the MOJ as it cuts across all aspects of the Department and provides visibility at senior levels. We are looking for individuals with excellent collaboration skills, who are approachable, enthusiastic, and wanting to deliver a quality service to the Department and its customers.

Success Profile Elements

Behaviours:

Seeing the Big Picture

Making Effective Decisions

Communicating and influencing, and

Managing a Quality Service

Should the volume of applications received exceed expectations, we shall carry out an initial sift on – Making Effective Decisions

Salary

£29,664 - £31,200

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). 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, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

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.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.

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.

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 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

• To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. 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 SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.