Data Protection Officer in Edinburgh

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
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
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