UKStratCom - Data Protection Authority - #146592

Northwood Headquarters

Job Summary

The Data Protection Authority (DPA) role provides key support to the Principal Data Protection Authority (PDPA) for UK Strategic Command, to ensure legally compliant and effective practices within the organisation, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and General Data Protection Regulations. The role is instrumental in driving alignment with Defence Strategic Direction and the Strategic Command and Data Protection Improvement Plans.

The DPA on behalf of the PDPA oversees data protection activity within the organisation, to implement and sustain governance processes and procedures for regulatory compliance. The role contributes to the organisation’s data governance framework through implementation of good practice for efficiency, sustainability, and propriety, within a defined resource and policy envelope, and will form close working relationships with key stakeholders.

The role holder will adopt key involvement in auditing and reporting on the performance of subordinate directorates of the organisation. This provides clear insight into emerging risks, trends, and associated data governance improvements for higher management evaluation, and ensures that data protection policies are effectively integrated and remain fit for purpose.

Beyond compliance, the DPA supports strategic initiatives, aimed at refining data protection methodologies and enhancing resilience against evolving regulatory and security challenges. DPA work ensures that UK Strategic Command’s data protection governance processes and procedures remain robust, adaptable, and capable of supporting wider Defence priorities.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job Description

To act on the direction of the Principal Data Protection Authority (PDPA) for the delivery of the Data Protection Improvement Plan (DPIP), and Training and Education Plan, linking in with the UKStratCom Command Plan Deliverables.

To act as the Data Protection Awareness Group (DPAG) Secretary, developing this forum and identifying any further engagement opportunities across the Command.

Support the PDPA with Subject Access Requests (SAR), Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA) and Incident Escalations, acting as the point of contact for the UKStratCom Top Level Budget (TLB) dependent High Level Budget (HLB), to provide advice, guidance and signposting on all Data Protection matters within the Top Level Budget (TLB) Area of Responsibility (AOR).

To conduct regular audit assurance across the Command utilising the Internal Control Assurance Report (ICAR) process and assist facilitation of third-party assurance from the Data Protection Officer’s Team (DPOT) and/or Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

To support the Information Governance Lead in drafting Policy, Process, Guidance and supporting Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

To ensure a presence at MOD related Data Protection Meeting Groups and Forums, reporting to the Principal Data Protection Authority (PDPA) any highlights or findings and provide timely and relevant communication in respect of Data Protection through the Information Governance Community and the quarterly Information Governance Forum (IGF).

To act on the direction of the Principal Data Protection Authority (PDPA) for the delivery of the Data Protection Improvement Plan (DPIP), and Training and Education Plan, linking in with the UKStratCom Command Plan Deliverables.

To act as the Data Protection Awareness Group (DPAG) Secretary, developing this forum and identifying any further engagement opportunities across the Command.

Support the PDPA with Subject Access Requests (SAR), Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA) and Incident Escalations, acting as the point of contact for the UKStratCom Top Level Budget (TLB) dependent High Level Budget (HLB), to provide advice, guidance and signposting on all Data Protection matters within the Top Level Budget (TLB) Area of Responsibility (AOR).

To conduct regular audit assurance across the Command utilising the Internal Control Assurance Report (ICAR) process and assist facilitation of third-party assurance from the Data Protection Officer’s Team (DPOT) and/or Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

To support the Information Governance Lead in drafting Policy, Process, Guidance and supporting Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

To ensure a presence at MOD related Data Protection Meeting Groups and Forums, reporting to the Principal Data Protection Authority (PDPA) any highlights or findings and provide timely and relevant communication in respect of Data Protection through the Information Governance Community and the quarterly Information Governance Forum (IGF).

Person specification

Essential

• An understanding of data protection laws and regulatory requirements in accordance with DPA18 and GDPR.
• A self-starter with the ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Strong ability to collaborate within a team environment.
• Able to balance strategic guidance with day-to-day operational responsibilities while maintaining accountability to both a line manager and a work manager (Matrix management).
• The ability to deal with conflicting asks and assertively ascertain priorities.
• To understand in totality the current deliverables and outputs of the subject matter area, and support individuals where necessary.
• Confident in engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, clearly communicating the message.
• The ability to draft supporting documents for the Information Governance Lead and Principal Data Protection Authority, offering insights and intuitively providing value where required.
• Willingness to travel as required for business activities.
  
  

Desirable

• Qualified data protection practitioner.
• Experience in auditing and risk assessment related to data protection.
• Experience working within the Defence sector or a government department.
  
  

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership
  
  

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
  
  

Alongside your salary of £36,530, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,582 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• An opportunity to be considered for Reward and Recognition - £250-£5000 per year.
  
  

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history.

Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability (500 words max).

At sift, you will be assessed against your CV, Personal Statement and the following Behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
  
  

When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.

At interview, you will be assessed against the following Behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership
  
  

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: [email protected] .

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

Strategic Command is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to improve the way the Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, all posts within Strategic Command Headquarters and in time the wider organisation, are/will be subject to review and potential changes as we continuously improve across the period of the transformation programme. These changes may be minor or could be more substantive and will generate new opportunities. Throughout, the Command’s transformation programme is committed to following the MOD’s framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with the Command’s personnel and Trade Unions.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and 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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact

• Name : Michael Clark
• Email : [email protected]
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]
  
  

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: [email protected].