Information Governance Officer

Connected Local Government; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - GBP 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Chelmsford is looking for an Information Governance Officer to oversee complex information disclosure cases. The role requires proven experience with subject access requests and knowledge of data protection laws. Applicants should have strong ICT skills, and experience in governance and transparency is highly desirable. This position offers flexible working options, including remote work, requiring only one office visit per month. A full-time fixed term contract is available with competitive salary ranging from £28,349 to £33,351 per annum.

Qualifications

• Proven experience of reading and redacting subject access requests in a local authority setting.
• Educated to RQF Level 3 including English and Maths.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in Information Governance.

Responsibilities

• Prepare cases for disclosure under the relevant legislation.
• Manage a large and widespread workload ensuring completion to statutory timescales.
• Maintain detailed records of decisions and risk assessments.

Skills

Information governance

Data protection

Strong ICT skills

Interpersonal skills

Legislative knowledge

Education

Level 3 (A-level) including English and Maths or equivalent

Relevant professional qualifications

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

Information Governance Officer

Fixed Term, Full Time

£28,349 to £33,351 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Closing Date: Wednesday 18th February 2026 at 11.59pm

Please note this vacancy is available as a Fixed Term Contract or Secondment opportunity for 18 months.

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.

Are you an Information Governance professional? with 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? We have a fixed term opportunity to join our team at the centre of the organisation.

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.
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Proven experience of reading and redacting subject access requests (SAR\'s), preferably in a local authority setting is essential.
• Educated to RQF Level 3 (A-level) including English and Maths, or equivalent by experience.
• Completion of relevant professional qualifications is highly desirable.
• 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.
• Good interpersonal skills, particularly oral and written communications skills, presentation of text and other materials to the good standards and attention to detail.
• Excellent ICT skills and good working knowledge of Microsoft is essential.
• Experience of managing a diverse workload is essential.
• Proven experience of working effectively with internal and external customers.