Advisor, Information Policy & Compliance, BBC Legal

Advisor, Information Policy & Compliance, BBC Legal

Ref 410258 Location: London Contract Type Attachment/Fixed Term Job Category: Business Support & Management Closing date for applications 6 September 2010

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Advisor, Information Rights, Information Policy & Compliance
London, six month contract

The Data Protection Act is rarely out of the headlines these days, whilst the Freedom of Information Act is often involved in creating them. The BBC’s Information Policy and Compliance team advises the BBC on both of these key areas. Part of the Legal department within the central Operations Group, we provide professional guidance to all BBC divisions and companies to ensure their compliance with the DPA and FoI Acts, and other related legislation. The legal and compliance challenges in this arena are as varied as they are important. Balancing between journalism and data protection, protecting individuals’ personal data in an increasingly complex online world and making sure the BBC is as open as possible under the Freedom of Information Act, whilst protecting its editorial freedom.

Working within a small team, you’ll play a key role in the running of the BBC’s Freedom of Information (FOI) and Data Protection Act (DPA) processes. Communicating with the public and answering requests under FOI and DPA, you’ll draft and process requests, and help train and support BBC Staff.

You’ll need good knowledge of DP/FOI and experience of file and case management in DPA, FOIA or a similar regulatory environment. You’ll be used to providing legal or compliance advice and working to very tight deadlines. With relevant experience in a research/senior administrative/broadcasting or related role, you’ll possess high level organisational skills and the ability to remain calm, organised and focused under pressure. A good communicator, you’ll have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to handle sensitive information discreetly. Experience of drafting letters and short reports is required, along with strong IT skills.

At the BBC we respect each other and celebrate our diversity so that everyone gives their best. The BBC positively encourages applications from all parts of the community and is committed to promoting equality of opportunity.

BBC INFORMATION POLICY AND COMPLIANCE

FURTHER INFORMATION & JOB DESCRIPTION

Advisor, Information Rights (Band 7) Six month Contract/Attachment

Freedom of Information and Data Protection are rarely out of the news. Freedom of Information has dramatically changed people’s rights to find out about all publicly funded bodies in the UK. Whilst personal privacy and the protection of personal data is now one of the hottest topics and a high priority for many organisations. The BBC takes both of these issues very seriously and the Information Policy and Compliance team leads on policy and compliance in these important areas.

Context:

The Advisor,Information Rights will report to the Senior Compliance Manager in the Information Policy and Compliance team, one of the Legal Departments of the Operation’s Group. The Legal Departments provides professional advice and support across all BBC divisions on legal, policy and compliance issues. The division is led by Caroline Thomson who reports to the BBC Director General.

The post-holder may work across the range of legislative and policy issues dealt with by the Information Policy and Compliance team.

Aim of the Job:

The principle role of the Advisor, Information Rights, is to assist in the running of the BBC’s Freedom of Information (FOI) and Data Protection Act (DPA) processes. The Advisor works as an important part of the IPC team working on communication with the public and answering requests under FOI and DPA. They will be involved in the writing and processing of requests and the training and support of other BBC staff involved in FOI & DP. They will advise other division’s staff on Data Protection and Freedom of Information. They may be called upon to work in support of other aspects of the IPC team’s work. (Detailed knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act and the Data Protection Act is not absolutely essential but clearly preferred. However, if necessary, appropriate training will be given to the successful candidate).

Competencies

The following competencies (behaviours and characteristics) have been identified as key to success in the job. Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate these competencies.

Planning and organising - able to think ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others. Prioritises and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines.

Communication - able to get one’s message understood clearly by adopting a range of styles, tools and techniques appropriate to the audience and the nature of the information.

Influencing and persuading - able to present sound and well reasoned arguments to convince others. Can draw from a range of strategies to persuade people in a way that results in agreement or behaviour change.

Managing relationships and team working - able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people. Works co-operatively with others to be part of a team.

Analytical thinking - Able to simplify complex problems, process or projects into component parts explore and evaluate them systematically. Has a keen eye for detail, can spot errors and mistakes at an early stage.


(A job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved).

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