Job description

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Support the development and delivery of a range of functions within the Corporate Services Department to ensure the department complies with all statutory and legislative requirements and to assist strategic planning.

Policy Officers will work as a team to provide comprehensive and strategic support within the Corporate Services Department. Postholders will take a lead role in the following functional areas:

• Information Governance;
• Access to Information;
• Complaints;
• Policy Development, Research, Consultations and External Affairs; and

Contribute to delivery of a high quality, cost effective service that supports the delivery of Council's Corporate Plan.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Service Delivery

• Provide an expert advisory role for Council and applicants in order to discharge the responsibilities enforceable by the Information Commissioner and be responsible for the review, development and implementation of procedures in respect of a range of areas, including the Freedom of Information Act 2000, Data Protection Act 2018 and Environmental Information Regulations 2004, ensuring compliance and promoting a culture of openness and

• Manage all requests, complaints or appeals received from the Information Commissioner's Office, Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman, Northern Ireland Local Government Association, the Local Government Staff Commission for Northern Ireland and any other governing bodies, relating to Council's discharge of its responsibilities under the above legislation, acting as the key contact and lead officer as necessary in any

• Oversee the production of bi-weekly and annual information request and complaints reports for presentation to senior management and/or Elected Members, identifying any trends and providing analysis in order to contribute to the development and improvement of

• Manage the Council's Corporate Complaints, Comments and Compliments procedure including the facilitation of escalations, appeals and referrals to the Chief Executive and coordinating responses and reviews on behalf of the Chief Executive

• Undertake all internal reviews, preparing the appropriate responses and providing feedback to services of any lessons learnt from the outcome of the

• Interpret new legislation and advices given by the ICO, government departments and other agencies and provide briefings and guidance for senior managers and Elected Members.

• Manage the ongoing review and maintenance of Council's Publication Scheme and the Retention and Disposal Schedule as required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

• Represent Council at the Local Government Information Practitioners Group and the Local Government Statutory Duty Network together with internal and external working groups, forums, steering groups, industry networking events and sector-wide training, providing update reports to senior management and Elected

• Co-ordinate Council record keeping and the framework which enables and supports Council in the efficient management of records in accordance with FOI and DPA legislative requirements. Advise on and disseminate relevant information on all aspects of record

• Provide a lead role in the development and implementation of strategies and policies relating to information management, information sharing protocols for external data sharing and for the maintenance of accurate records within all data sharing

• To establish links, in conjunction with Council wide audits of key corporate records, with information holders in the Council to ensure the rapid identification, collation and reporting of documentation / information within information asset registers to ensure compliance with requirements under Data Protection

• To assist the Data Protection Officer in fulfilling their role, in particular through overseeing compliance, maintenance of data breach registers and data processing arrangements and the management of internal data protection

• To establish and maintain close effective working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders and partner bodies including the customer, all levels of Government and a variety of other community and voluntary sector bodies in relation to information

• To partake in the planning, design and delivery of Freedom of Information and Data Protection training and education support programmes for employees and Elected Members in order to embed best practice within the organisation.

• Provide a policy development and professional advisory function for Council by reviewing periodically Council's existing policies and procedures and keeping under review any new developments in policy determination practices and legislation particularly in relation to local Preparing reports and making recommendations as necessary, taking any resultant action required and ensuring these are communicated effectively to all employees using appropriate channels including, where necessary, organising a tailored programme of awareness and training sessions.

• Provide research in relation to Parliamentary and Assembly Questions and Government policy initiatives and lead on drafting Council responses and providing briefings to senior management and Elected

• Manage the Council's central policy register and the consultation register and lead on preparing Council's consultation responses together with the associated reports for Council and/or Committees, in a timely

• Drive the Council's Equality Scheme and its compliance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 alongside its Disability Duties under Section 49A of the Disability Discrimination Act through the implementation of the Council's Disability Action Plan, ensuring Council is progressing to the satisfaction of the Equality Commission. Develop and implement good practice initiatives, providing guidance and expert advice to Elected Members and staff in relation to the promotion and application of Equality, Good Relations and Human Rights

• Undertake all aspects of equality screening of Council policies, including research and data collection, interpretation, investigations and analysis, recommendations, screening reports and identifying any need for discrete consultation exercises together with providing expert advice and guidance to staff and Elected Members in relation to Council's equality impact assessment

• Lead on submitting Council's equality, disability and good relations statutory returns, to include the preparation and submission of the Annual Progress Report to the Equality Commission and five-year report to the Equality Commission on the implementation of the Section 75 and Disability

2. Quality

2.1. Adhere to and comply with all Council policies and procedures relevant to this role, including arrangements for risk management.

3. Performance Improvements

• Participate in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of the Department Business Plan and relevant Service Plans responding to changing trends and citizen needs.
• Achieve high standards of personal performance, through meeting agreed personal targets and undertaking planned programmes of professional
• Examine opportunities to gain efficiencies and improve effectiveness including collaborative partnerships, joint working and other innovative approaches to achieve best value in the use of public money.

4. General
   • Uphold the Core Values of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and work to achieve the wider organisational objectives as detailed in the Corporate
   • Participate in the Council's Performance and Development Review process as detailed in the published
   • Fulfil the legal Health and Safety duties placed on employees by:

• taking reasonable care of your own health & safety and that of others who may be affected by what you do or do not do;
• Co-operating with the Council on Health & Safety matters;
• Ensuring that you use work items provided by the Council correctly and in accordance with the training and instruction received, including personal protective equipment (PPE);
• Ensuring that you do not interfere with or misuse anything provided for health, safety, or welfare

• Contribute to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in fulfilling all of its commitments in relation to anti-discrimination practices, its Equality Scheme and under the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act
• Comply with all the Council's policies and
• Fulfil your legal responsibility for all records held, created or used as part of Council business whether paper based or electronic, including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004 and Data Protection Act 1998. Employees are required to be conversant with the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council procedure on records management and to seek advice if in
• Maintain high standards of personal
• Comply with the Code of Conduct for Local Government Employees and the Local Government Employee & Councillor Working Relationship

Closing Date Monday 13th June 2022 at 4pm