Flexible working
As you’ll be working with highly sensitive information, home working is not possible in this role. We offer flexible working options, including flexitime, part‑time (minimum 30 hours per week), full‑time and compressed hours. Travel to London will be required on an ad hoc basis, ranging from once a month to once every three months.
About us
GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. We use cutting‑edge technology, ingenuity and partnerships to identify, analyse and disrupt threats. Working with our intelligence partners, MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber‑attacks and espionage. At GCHQ, you’ll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment that places emphasis on teamwork.
The role
As an Information Governance & Data Protection Caseworker, you’ll help ensure GCHQ’s handling of personal data is secure, lawful and compliant with legislation. Working as part of a small, supportive team, your work involves completing data protection casework, responding to internal and external enquiries, carrying out sensitivity reviews and developing compliance arrangements. You’ll manage a caseload of data and information requests, review sensitive material to determine what must be redacted, and keep colleagues informed throughout the process.
In addition, you’ll investigate and provide responses to data breaches and support teams across GCHQ to manage their data effectively through training and guidance. You will receive training on the legal exemptions used to protect sensitive, mission‑critical information, enabling you to support responses to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests from Whitehall when required.
About you
Minimum of a Level 3 qualification such as an A‑level or equivalent in Humanities, Social Sciences, STEM subjects or other disciplines where you can demonstrate theoretical knowledge, critical thinking and academic writing. A degree or higher qualification is also encouraged. Relevant experience working with GDPR and data protection, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or in information management or regulatory compliance is required.
You should be familiar with subject access requests, data breach management, and information disclosure processes. A proven ability to assess, redact, and protect highly sensitive material, and to advise others on effective and lawful management of personal data, is also expected.
Sound judgement, discretion and integrity are essential. Attention to detail and the ability to work to deadlines, manage challenging enquiries and oversee a personal caseload of competing priorities are required.
You should have a genuine interest in data protection, information rights or public service, and be curious about how an organisation such as ours protects sensitive information while meeting legal responsibilities. Openness to learning and development is important; training will be provided on internal processes.
Training and development
The role offers structured on‑the‑job training during the initial period, with opportunities to shadow experienced colleagues and gradually take responsibility for casework. You’ll also have access to departmental training courses, including data protection, security and organisational processes, and may attend external courses or workshops to build specialist expertise.
Rewards and benefits
You’ll receive a starting salary of £37,892, comprising a basic salary of £35,134 plus a concessionary payment of £2,758, along with other benefits including:
* 25 days’ annual leave, automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service, plus an additional 10.5 days of public and privileged holidays
* Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
* An interest‑free season ticket loan
* An excellent pension scheme
* A cycle‑to‑work scheme
* Facilities such as a gym, restaurant, and on‑site coffee bars (at some locations)
* Paid parental and adoption leave
Equal opportunities
At GCHQ, diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including individuals from groups that are under‑represented in our workforce, such as women, people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and those from low socio‑economic backgrounds.
We’re Disability Confident
GCHQ is proud to have achieved Leader status within the Department for Work and Pension’s Disability Confident scheme. We aim to offer an interview to a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants who best meet the essential minimum criteria for the role, where it is practical.
Location
This role is based in Cheltenham. Applicants must live within a commutable distance; we do not offer relocation costs.
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