At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data protection efforts and ensure compliance with UK GDPR and DPA 2018.
- Company: Join a high-profile public inquiry making a national impact.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, flexible hours, and a respectful team environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for meaningful work-life balance and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a nationally significant investigation.
- Qualifications: Experience as a DPO or data protection specialist, ideally in public sector.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 € per year.
21 hours per week, 1 day onsite in Edinburgh, £300-350 per day, INSIDE IR35.
A sensitive and high-profile public inquiry is seeking an experienced DPO to join on a long-term contract basis. This is a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a nationally significant investigation with far-reaching impact.
The Role: As the DPO, you will lead on all data protection matters, ensuring full compliance with UK GDPR and DPA 2018. You will provide independent, expert advice to senior leadership and act as a key point of contact for regulators, data subjects, and internal stakeholders. Working in an environment that handles large volumes of highly sensitive personal and special category data, your work will be critical to ensuring lawful, secure, and ethical processing of information throughout the inquiry’s lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities:
- Serve as the Inquiry’s statutory Data Protection Officer under UK GDPR
- Provide expert advice to the Chair, Head of Legal, and Head of Corporate Support Services
- Guide DPIAs, breach management, and policy development
- Support responses to Subject Access Requests (SARs) and Freedom of Information requests
- Engage with external suppliers and ensure data processing agreements are compliant
- Offer light-touch oversight of an Assistant DPO (operational line management sits elsewhere)
Ideal Profile:
- Proven experience as a DPO or senior data protection specialist, ideally in a public sector or regulated environment
- In-depth understanding of UK GDPR, DPA 2018, and handling of special category data
- Ability to advise senior leadership and work autonomously within a complex governance framework
- Calm, pragmatic, and ethical approach to data protection in sensitive, real-world contexts
- Relevant qualifications (e.g., CIPP/E, BCS Data Protection Practitioner) highly desirable
Why Apply?
- Contribute to work of national importance with genuine societal impact
- Join a highly professional and respectful team environment
- Flexible working pattern and meaningful work-life balance
Data Protection Officer, Part Time employer: Barclay Simpson
As a Data Protection Officer in Edinburgh, you will be part of a highly professional team dedicated to a nationally significant public inquiry, offering you the chance to make a meaningful impact on society. The company promotes a respectful work culture with flexible working patterns, ensuring a healthy work-life balance while providing opportunities for professional growth in a complex and rewarding environment. Join us to lead critical data protection initiatives and contribute to the ethical processing of sensitive information.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Protection Officer, Part Time
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the data protection field, especially those who might know about opportunities in public inquiries. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to job openings that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of UK GDPR and DPA 2018. We recommend creating a list of potential questions you might face and practising your responses. This will help you feel more confident and ready to impress!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to meet with potential employers, be sure to highlight your experience with sensitive data and your ability to advise senior leadership. We want them to see you as the go-to person for all things data protection.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged in their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Data Protection Officer, Part Time
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your experience as a Data Protection Officer or in a similar role. We want to see how your skills align with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description, so don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise in UK GDPR and DPA 2018.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. We love seeing candidates who can connect their past experiences to the unique challenges of this position, especially in handling sensitive data.
Showcase Relevant Qualifications:If you’ve got qualifications like CIPP/E or BCS Data Protection Practitioner, make sure they’re front and centre in your application. We value these credentials highly, and they can really set you apart from other candidates.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re keen and ready to join our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Barclay Simpson
✨Know Your Data Protection Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK GDPR and DPA 2018. Be ready to discuss how these regulations apply in real-world scenarios, especially in sensitive environments. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but can also apply it practically.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific data protection challenges, like breach management or responding to Subject Access Requests. Think through some examples from your past experience where you successfully navigated similar situations, as this will demonstrate your expertise.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
As a DPO, you’ll be advising senior leadership, so be prepared to discuss how you’ve effectively communicated complex data protection issues to non-experts. Highlight any experience you have in guiding teams or influencing decision-making processes.
✨Engage with the Team's Values
Research the inquiry’s mission and values, and think about how your approach to data protection aligns with them. During the interview, express your enthusiasm for contributing to work of national importance and how you can support a respectful team environment.
