FoI Assistant - FoI, DPA & Complaints

FoI Assistant - FoI, DPA & Complaints 
Riverside House, London, SE1 
£Competitive 

Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries. We regulate the TV, radio, fixed-line telecoms, mobile telecoms and postal sectors, plus the radio spectrum over which wireless devices operate. 

Like all public bodies, FoI (Freedom of Information) plays an important role in holding the organisation to account. We receive a steady flow of request for information already, and there is a likelihood that with our new BBC duties, the flow will increase. 

The FoI Assistant will be part of a small team fulfilling FoI requests and working with a wide range of (often senior) colleagues. The team also deal with ‘subject access requests’ (Data protection) and complaints to the Corporation Secretary. 

Key Responsibilities 

- Working closely with senior decision-makers, respond to requests for information by liaising with colleagues to locate information, researching answers, and responding to requestors within statutory time limits, managing cases through to completion and maintaining good records 
- Use understanding of the Freedom of Information Act and the Data Protection Act to propose Ofcom’s approach to answering requests, incorporating the views of subject matter experts and taking account of a range of views in formulating responses e.g. Legal, Communications, G&PB, CE’s office, Finance Director 
- Respond to requests for assistance and guidance from internal colleagues throughout the organisation. This will include a wide range of queries relating to information rights 
- Establish a rapport with Freedom of Information/Data Protection Representatives, encouraging them to seek help, guidance and direction from the Information Rights team 
- Log and assign cases via the Salesforce case handling system FoI/DPA and other requests for information, from external requestors 
- Arrange meetings, prepare agendas, take meeting minutes, create and collate material and content for training events and other presentations 
- Produce business reports and maintain other databases as required 
- Positive approach towards the programme of change that Ofcom and the G&A team are currently moving through 

Essential skills/experience 

- Demonstrable understanding of the statutory underpinning of FoI and DPA and/or willingness to learn 
- Able to help create new processes/procedures for dealing with complaints 
- Good internal network 
- Good understanding of Ofcom's responsibilities and duties 
- Very good interpersonal skills, able to maintain good working relationships when the context can often be somewhat challenging for colleagues 

To apply for the role of FoI Assistant, please apply via the button shown. 

This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency. 

Additional Keywords: FoI Assistant, FoI, Data Protection, Freedom of Information, FOI/DPA, Data Assistant, Data Security Assistant, Freedom of Information Assistant, Data Co-ordinator, Statutory Data Assistant, Complaints Handler.