Information Access and Compliance Assessor

This post enables The National Archives to remain compliant with information rights legislation – the Freedom of Information Act and Data Protection Act – by undertaking work on Reclosure and Takedown at The National Archives. Reclosure occurs when information in open records may be subsequently closed by The National Archives. Takedown applies to material on The National Archives’ website and those of our commercial partners (where the content has come from The National Archives), as well as to webpages preserved in the UK Government Web Archive. The circumstances in which Reclosure or Takedown are required are outlined in our Takedown and Reclosure Policy.

An important part of this role involves managing Reclosure and Takedown requests relating to digital records and information, including those transferred to The National Archives by Public Inquiries and other short-term bodies such as Independent Inquiries. As a result, this work will also include providing advice and assistance on the work of Inquiry bodies, to ensure that the correct access decisions are made ahead of the transfer of Inquiry records to The National Archives.

This role will report to the Reclosure Panel, who are responsible for the reclosure of records, and the Takedown Panel, who oversee Takedown decisions. These are internal Panels composed of staff with expertise in Freedom of Information (FOI) and Data Protection, along with records and catalogue specialists from across The National Archives. Reclosure and Takedown cases need careful handling, with balanced and considered recommendations submitted to the Reclosure and Takedown Panels, to ensure that appropriate action is taken in a timely manner. An important part of this role therefore is to keep those involved with Reclosure and Takedown regularly informed of progress; you will need to judge when to escalate concerns to senior management, to ensure not just compliance, but to maintain a level of good customer service, while safeguarding TNA’s reputation.

This role is based within the FOI Centre, to ensure that there is a consistency of approach towards Reclosure, Takedown, and compliance. Using your knowledge of information rights legislation, you will undertake research, review information flagged for Reclosure or Takedown, and support access decisions for these records. You will also be expected to carry out research into closed records in response to FOI requests, assess whether exemptions apply to those records, and correspond with requesters. As a result, you will develop expert knowledge regarding the application of the FOI Act and related information rights legislation. Working to tight deadlines, the role requires strong decision making and communication skills, as well as the ability to organise a heavy workload.

This is a full time post. However, requests for part-time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department.

A combination of onsite and home working is available and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site for a minimum of 60% of their work time.

For full details and to apply, please click the link following "Museum Website" below.

Museum Website: https://nationalarchives.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/Careers/job/Kew/Information-and-Access-Compliance-Assessor_JR200845