Jobs

Information Governance Officer - Permanent

Permanent, Full Time

£28,349 to £33,351 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Closing Date: Monday 16th March 2026 at 11.59pm

Are you an Information Governance professional? Do you have proven experience of reading and redacting subject access requests, preferably in a local authority setting? Are you seeking a new challenge in a fast-paced local government environment?

This position has been classed as an anywhere worker role but has an expectation that the successful candidate will attend the office, in Chelmsford 1 day per month, with the remaining time for remote working if desired, in line with the organisation's needs.

Note: We are also looking to recruit for a 18 month Fixed Term Contract (or Secondment), in addition to this permanent role

We are looking for individuals who have experience in information governance, data protection, and information rights to join our dynamic team.

The post holders will predominantly be required to prepare cases for disclosure under the subject access provisions of the Data Protection Act 2018, and may be asked to assist with Freedom of Information Act 2000, and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

The Opportunity

The post holders will be required to prepare cases for disclosure under the subject access provisions of the Data Protection Act 2018, Freedom of Information Act 2000, and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

You will be required to understand the complexities around information disclosures as influenced by legislation including the Human Rights Act, Mental Capacity Act, and common law of confidentiality; and maintain detailed records of decisions/risk assessments and exemptions applied.

You should have good legislative and practical knowledge in this field and the ability to convey this to colleagues, partners, clients, and other stakeholders, as well as apply this knowledge to information right requests and complaints. Strong ICT skills are also required.

Accountabilities

• Responsible for managing a large and widespread workload ensuring completion to tight statutory timescales; and maintain detailed records of decisions/risk assessments and exemptions applied.
• The resilience to prepare cases for disclosure under the relevant legislation. This does sometimes involve preparing potentially distressing information.

The Experience You Will Bring

Essential:

• Proven experience of reading and redacting subject access requests (SAR's), preferably in a local authority setting is essential.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in Information Governance and Transparency.
• Experience of working within an information governance, data protection, information rights environment, particularly in recent years.
• Proven experience of working effectively with internal and external customers.

Desirable:

• Excellent ICT skills and good working knowledge of Microsoft.
• Good interpersonal skills, particularly oral and written communications skills, presentation of text and other materials to the good standards and attention to detail.
• Completion of relevant professional qualifications is highly desirable.
• Educated to RQF Level 3 (A-level) including English and Maths, or equivalent by experience.

Company: Essex County Council

Salary: £28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension

Location: Chelmsford, Essex

Sector: Corporate Services

Sector: Legal

Job Role: Officer