Description Job Description Are you passionate about safeguarding personal data and ensuring organisations uphold the highest standards of information governance? Join Social Security Scotland’s Data Protection and Information Governance team as a Senior Data Protection Practitioner and play a vital role in maintaining public trust and compliance within this high-profile, exciting environment. As a key member of our Data Protection and Information Governance branch, you will lead on complex and sensitive issues related to data protection, freedom of information, and records management. You will support our teams in adhering to legislation and policy through investigations, assessments, and promoting best practice. Your expertise will help shape our approach to data protection by design, and you’ll represent our data protection interests across various forums, contributing to continuous improvement and organisational learning. Based in Dundee or Glasgow, you’ll have the opportunity to work in a collaborative environment committed to high standards and professional development in this critical area. Social Security Scotland, an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government, is undertaking the largest and most complex IT and digital change programme since devolution. With a lifetime budget of over £300m, Social Security Scotland is delivering a social security system that will support the people of Scotland for decades to come. We aim to develop within Social Security Scotland, a positive and inclusive culture, which supports our people to flourish, by embedding a working environment where we all treat each other with dignity and respect, and recognise each other’s contributions. Responsibilities Responsibilities The role is within the Data Protection Team, which forms part of the Data Protection and Information Governance branch. The post-holder will have line management responsibility for at least one data protection practitioner. The post sits within a team which is responsible for ensuring compliance with our obligations including: Ensuring data protection impact assessments are carried out and reviewed as required. Providing advice on data protection issues on Social Security Scotland’s client services functions and products. Overseeing the maintenance of data sharing agreements in place with external partners such as DWP and HMRC. Providing advice on new data sharing requests received from external departments in conjunction with the Data Governance team. Carrying out learning and awareness activity to support data protection compliance across Social Security Scotland. Building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders across the business to advise on data protection and information risk, escalating issues to the Data Protection Manager and Data Protection Officer as required. Providing advice to ensure contracts with suppliers meet data protection requirements. Producing guidance and creating communications on data protection issues across Social Security Scotland. Qualifications Success Profiles We use an assessment framework called ‘Success Profiles’ which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each. Find out more about how we assess the Success Profile elements Experience You will have demonstrable practical knowledge of data protection with experience of taking a lead role in an information governance environment. You will be confident in analysing complex information, demonstrate excellent risk management skills and have the ability to make sound recommendations. Behaviours Communicating and influencing Making effective decisions Seeing the big picture Leadership You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here: Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk) How to apply Apply online, you must provide a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 750 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profiles above. Be sure to provide specific examples of work that you’ve done that showcase your relevant experience. In the event that we receive a high volume of applications, we may conduct an initial sift using the CV and Supporting Statement based on the first Experience criteria. Candidates who successfully pass this initial sift will have their applications fully assessed. Candidates who are successful at sift stage will be invited to attend an Interview and Assessment. These will further assess the Experience and Behaviours listed in the job advert. Candidates who pass the sift and are invited to the Interview and Assessment stage will receive full details of the assessment method to be used. We aim to provide feedback on request. However, if we receive a large number of applications it may not be possible for us to provide specific feedback on your application. We will provide feedback on request to candidates who attend an interview/assessment. Information Session We are holding candidate information sessions for this role to provide you with information about the application and interview process as well as further information on the role and team. The session will be held on Friday 16 th May at 12-1pm We will be talking about: The Senior Data Protection Practitioner role and Data Protection & Information Governance team About Social Security Scotland Our recruitment process Q&A with the hiring manager Please join us using the link below to find out more about the role and working for Social Security Scotland. Join the meeting now Expected Timeline (subject to change) Sift - w/c 22 nd May Interviews – w/c 9 th June TBC Location - In Person in either Dundee or Glasgow Reserve List In the event that there are more successful candidates than posts available, a reserve list will be kept for up to 12 months. About us Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. Our benefits help people from all walks of life in Scotland. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we serve. Find more about us here. We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer. As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules. Working pattern Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options, depending on the needs of the role. We embrace a hybrid working style where all colleagues will spend time in either our Glasgow or Dundee offices. There is an expectation of a minimum 2 days per week in your assigned location, which will be either Glasgow or Dundee. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us. Equality Statement Social Security Scotland are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment, should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process, please contact us at Recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer support and recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them. Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website. Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes. The successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 3 years unless successful in gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade. Social Security Scotland’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the recruitment principles of the Civil Service Commissioner, which outline that selection for appointment be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition - Recruitment - Civil Service Commission (independent.gov.uk) If you feel at any time your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you can make a complaint, by contacting Social Security Scotland at recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioner. If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form, please contact the Resourcing Team via recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot Apply before 22nd May 2025 at 23.55 Contact Name - Resourcing Team Contact email – Recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot