4177 Head of Information Rights Unit

Data and Geography Division sits within Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) and plays a central role in enabling Welsh Government to use data, information and geographic evidence well. The division provides specialist leadership on data, geography, information rights, information governance and related professional standards. It works across Welsh Government and with partners to ensure that data and geographic information are managed, shared, protected and used responsibly, helping the organisation make better decisions for the people of Wales.

The role is the Head of the Welsh Government’s Information Rights Unit (IRU). The work of the unit is to ensure the Welsh Government meets its obligations and responsibilities as set out in the Information Rights and Data Protection legislation, specifically:

• The Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA)
• The UK General Data Protection Regulation 2018 (UK GDPR)
• The Data Use and Access Act 2025 (DUAA)
• The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA)
• The Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR)
• The Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 (PECR)

This role is part of the Government Knowledge and Information Management (GKIM) profession. The profession brings together specialists who support the effective management, protection and use of information across Government.

As a Data Protection Practitioner, you will apply specialist knowledge to help Welsh Government understand and meet its legal obligations, manage privacy risks and maintain public trust. The role requires practical application of data protection expertise across operational, policy and governance contexts

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) (opens in a new window)
• 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 (opens in a new window)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

• In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the assessment criterion: Technical
• A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who is successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months.
• Candidates are required to submit a CV as part of their application, CV’s should be of a maximum of 2 sides detailing your work experience and qualifications – CV’s will be scored against experience 1 and 2.
• A presentation of 5 minutes covering the technical skills will be required as part of the interview. More information will be provided in the invitations to that stage. No powerpoint.
• This post will be part of the Knowledge and Information Management (KIM) profession.
• Hybrid working arrangements reflect the current Welsh Government expectation that postholders spend at least 40% of their working time either in a physical office location or meeting face to face with external stakeholders where this supports effective delivery, relationship management and service leadership. This requirement may change in line with future organisational needs.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.