The UK’s information rights watchdog is recruiting for a deputy information commissioner to work under recently-appointed commissioner Elizabeth Denham.
The deputy will work alongside information commissioner Elizabeth Denham – Photo credit: DCMS
The role, which will pay between £70,000 and £85,000 – or more for an “exceptional candidate” – is to support the commissioner and deputise where necessary.
There are two deputies at the Information Commissioner’s Office, one role is carried out by Simon Entwistle – who is remaining in his position – and the other has been filled on an interim basis by Steve Wood, who was previously head of policy. The job advert is for a full-time member of staff for the second deputy role.
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The ICO has produced a detailed introductory pack for potential candidates, which sets out the work of the office and the deputy, as well as the person specification for the job.
The deputy will help set the ICO’s strategic plans and objectives, lead on certain policy areas and be responsible for managing junior staff members.
The officer said applicants should have “a demonstrable empathy” towards data protection and freedom of information, expertise in data protection and an ability to be objective about policies.
They must also appreciate the impact of emerging technologies and have a “keen awareness” of the digital economy and knowledge of both corporate and government practices.
The ICO also specifies ideal characteristics for the recruit, which include having a “positive ‘can do’ attitude” and being commercially and politically aware.
Announcing the opportunity, Denham said: “As a deputy commissioner you will be a key leader, taking a prominent role in the effective management and governance of the organisation.”
Denham took up the role of information commissioner in July, and in her first interview indicated she was considering tougher FOI rules for departments that are slow to respond to requests.
Speaking to the BBC, she said: “I’m going to be looking at that threshold…Looking at this from the outside, most of the public would have the view that more than one in 10 not getting a timely response to a request is not a sign of success.”
The deadline for applications is 5 October.
