Details
Reference number
429929
Salary
£44,720 - £47,850
National pay locations: Cardiff, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield £44,720 - £47,850
GBP
Job grade
Senior Executive Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
HO - Chief Operating Officer Group
Type of role
Knowledge and Information Management
Working pattern
Full-time, Compressed hours
Number of jobs available
1
Contents
* Location
* About the job
* Benefits
* Things you need to know
* Apply and further information
Location
Cardiff, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield - Please note existing Permanent/FTA Home Office COOG staff may retain their current base location.
About the job
Job summary
The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.
The Chief Operating Officer Group works closely with the Home Office's policy and operational commands to enable us together to deliver the department's priorities. The group is comprised of different teams and professional functions, including Commercial, Finance, People, Portfolio and Project Delivery, Security, Estates and Information and Digital, Data and Technology.
To deliver its operational and business objectives, the Home Office processes the personal data of over 30,000 staff and many millions of other individuals (located in the UK and other countries around the world). These data processing activities take place across the Department's priorities.
The statutory Data Protection Officer (DPO) has a key assurance, compliance and advisory function on data protection matters within the Home Office, facilitating compliance across all business functions for both general personal data processing matters as well as those that fall under the Department's law enforcement responsibilities.
This is an opportunity for a knowledgeable and experienced Data protection professional to tacklea high-profile role within the Office of the Data Protection Officer (ODPO), that helps the Home Office achieve its mission whilst complying with privacy and data protection legislation.
The Office of the ODPO is responsible for delivering a range of services relating to data protection compliance for the Department and a number of Arm's Length Bodies (ALBs). These services deliver for both internal and external customers and involve considerable interaction with internal stakeholders and customers as well as members of the public and those from other public authorities.
Job description
As a Data Protection Advisor, you will be working across some or all the services provided by ODPO to our full range of customers, providing detailed advice, tailored support and comprehensive guidance on data protection compliance, legal obligations and requirements and assurance.
Key responsibilities will include:
* Providing expert advice on the identification and mitigation of risks associated with the processing of personal data, including the evaluation of potentially complex and high-profile DPIAs, assessment of personal data incidents and breaches and responding to complaints and enquiries.
* Working closely with relevant business areas (engaging with all staff up to SCS level), external service providers or other partners (potentially including the ICO and civil society groups) to agree and/or recommend appropriate risk mitigations and/or privacy improving solutions.
* Through the delivery of this work, helping to promote and embed a compliance culture which adopts the concept of 'data protection by design and default'.
* Actively participating in the development and operational excellence of the Data Protection Practitioner Network (DPPN) by fostering a collaborative, knowledgeable and empowered community of data protection specialists – ensuring consistent, high-quality support across the department and embedding a positive, proactive data protection culture.
Working pattern
This role is available on a full-time basis with the option of compressed hours working.
Travel
On occasion, the role will require you to travel to locations within the UK, for example, in order to conduct assurance reviews or attend team meetings.
Training
In-house training sessions will be provided to ensure comprehensive understanding and effective delivery of ODPO services. These sessions will cover all aspects of the service provision, including best practices, compliance requirements, and practical applications. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities and receive guidance from experienced trainers to enhance their skills and knowledge.
Person specification
Essential criteria
* Knowledge of UK and EU privacy and data protection legislation (including the Data Protection Act (DPA), UK General Data Protection Regulation (UKGDPR), Human Rights Act (HRA) and Data Use and Access Agreement (DUAA)).
* Experience of working on privacy and data protection issues.
* Ability to assimilate and interpret information quickly; and explain complex legal, regulatory and policy requirements to colleagues and external partners at all levels.
* Ability to handle/prioritise a large and varied workload, take decisions using own initiative and meet ambitious timelines (setting and adjusting opposing priorities in a constantly evolving environment).
* Excellent communicating and influencing skills. The ability to articulate persuasive arguments both verbally and in writing (in plain English).
* A strong dedication to ongoing professional growth.
Desirable criteria
* Awareness of relevant statutory codes of practice, decisions and guidance issued by the ICO, courts and tribunals, the Article 29 Working Party (now EDPB) and other relevant sources.
* A relevant privacy and data protection certification (e.g., CIPP/E, CIPM, BCS Certificate in Data Protection etc.).
* If you do not already possess a recognised data protection, we will provide support to help you achieve and maintain an accredited qualification.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Making Effective Decisions
* Communicating and Influencing
* Delivering at Pace
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
* Making Effective Decisions
Benefits
In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:
* A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
* In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
* 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
* Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.
* Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office.
* See more of our benefits on our careers website.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.
* Application – by 12th October 2025.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:
* CV.
* Personal Statement (maximum 1000 words).
* Evidence of the Behaviour - Making effective decisions (maximum of 250 words per Behaviour).
Your CV should consist of your career history, qualifications and skills/experience, including any key achievements in each role. Your CV will be scored against the experience required for the role as noted within the essential criteria.
The personal statement should explain your motivation for applying to this role, detailing your skills/experience in line with the essential and desirable criteria stated in the job specification.
For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.
2.Sift – week commencing 13th October 2025.
The sift will be held on the CV, Personal Statement and Behaviour - Making effective decisions.
Should a high volume of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement /CV. Candidates who pass the initial sift will then be progressed to a full sift that will consist of the Behaviour - Making effective decisions.
3.Interview – week commencing 27th October 2025.
If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be Behaviours (as listed in the job advert) and Strength-based questions (as listed in the job advert) no preparation necessary.
The interview will take place on Teams.
For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application; however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Problems during the application process
If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you've made a mistake on an initial application, please contact, including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. Further information can be found on our website.
Do not create or attempt to submit another application, online test or use a different Civil Service Jobs account to proceed as this would be in violation of the candidate declaration.
Location preferences
You can select up to threelocations in order of preference. Please ensure that these are locations you are prepared to travel to. If you are offered a role at one of your preferred location(s) and you decline, your application will be withdrawn.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.
Reserve lists will be held for each location. Candidates will be appointed in merit order by location.
Standards
All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.
Additional Security Checks
As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, candidates will be subject to a range of additional checks. The range of checks carried out will depend on whether you are a current Home Office employee, existing civil servant or an external new entrant as well as the role requirements. The level of Criminal Record Check required for this role is SC. Further details are included in the Notes to Candidates.
Further Information
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Serviceon your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct.
If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre- stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
* Contact Government Recruitment Service via as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
* Complete the "Assistance Required" section in the "Additional Requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a language service professional
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .
See our vetting charter .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
* UK nationals
* nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
* Name : Home Office resourcing centre
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service recruitment principles and you wish to make a complaint, then contact the Government Recruitment Service via If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.