Senior Policy Officer – AI Policy

Wilmslow, North West England, SK9 5AF

Job Summary

Full time / Part time Grade: E Salary: £42,593 - £48,245, with potential for further progression to £54,317 with our pay progression scheme. Location: Hybrid Contracted to our Wilmslow, London, Edinburgh, Cardiff or Belfast office, however, we offer flexible home and office-based working opportunities. There will be times when you will be expected to attend the office to collaborate with colleagues or travel due to business need. Please note, from Autumn 2026 our head office will move from Wilmslow to Manchester city centre.

Why work for the ICO?

• Pay progression scheme.
• Hybrid and flexible working options.
• 25 days paid holiday per year, plus privilege and public holidays.
• Flexi leave (up to 26 additional days leave per year).
• Pension (employer contribution around 28.9%).
• Online discount scheme to save money at major supermarkets, retailers, gyms, restaurants, insurance providers and many more.
• Health Cash Plan.
• Fantastic development opportunities to learn and progress.

Job Description

We are currently recruiting for two Senior Policy Officers (one permanent and one fixed term until March 2027) to join the AI Policy team. The post holder will contribute to delivery of the ICO's AI and Biometrics Strategy, working on topics such as foundation models or automated decision-making. They will also support the implementation of relevant provisions of the recently passed Data Use and Access Act, working closely with colleagues across the ICO and with external partners. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is the independent regulator of information rights. In a data-driven world, we provide advice, guidance, and support to organisations enabling compliance with their obligations, as well as protecting individuals and their personal data. As an employer, we are passionate about making a positive difference to the lives and careers of our people, and we empower you to be curious, impactful, collaborative and respectful.

This is an opportunity to shape the ICO's approach to an area of major technological and policy importance, helping to ensure that AI is used responsibly and in a way that protects people's rights while enabling innovation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Analyse and develop policy responses to the challenges posed by foundation models and generative AI, including issues of data protection, transparency, explainability, fairness and accountability.
• Support implementation of the Data Use and Access Act 2025, including input to guidance, codes and regulatory tools relevant to AI and ADM.
• Gather, synthesise and evaluate evidence from technical, legal, and socio-economic perspectives to inform ICO policy lines.
• Produce clear and accurate policy products, including briefings, reports, consultation responses and public guidance.
• Engage with industry, civil society, academia, government and other regulators to inform the ICO's work and communicate policy lines.
• Work closely with colleagues in legal, supervision, communications and strategy teams to ensure joined-up delivery of AI and Biometrics projects.
• Take responsibility for delivering discrete projects or work packages within the AI and Biometrics Strategy, reporting progress and risks to senior colleagues.
• Represent the ICO at working-level meetings, workshops and conferences, presenting ICO positions clearly and professionally.

Person specification

Essential Criteria Assessed At Application Stage:

• Experience relevant to the role requirements, as described in the role responsibilities and person specification, and accumulated through any combination of academic or vocational qualifications or experience.
• Significant relevant working experience in a policy, regulatory, technology-based or legal role will be an advantage.
• Experience of working with complex information which could include legislation or operational rules and procedures.
• Experience of applying data protection or associated legislation will be an advantage.

Essential Criteria Assessed During Interview:

• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to analyse complex issues and formulate clear and persuasive arguments for a range of audiences.
• The ability to use good judgement and problem solving skills in order to take sound and potentially high profile decisions.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate and maintain good relationships with senior officials in assigned stakeholder areas.
• An understanding of wider political, economic and technological developments in the UK and overseas.
• Ability to work as a member of a project team to deliver defined objectives under pressure.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

The ICO is committed to promoting and enhancing equality, diversity, and inclusion. We are focused on developing a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve and together we are building an inclusive workplace where all of our colleagues have the opportunity to make a real difference. We are championing this through our Equality Diversity and Inclusion Board together with a number of staff networks.

Candidates with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for this vacancy will be invited to interview as part of the ICO's commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme.

If you are disabled or have an impairment and require an alternative application method, please email the HR team.

Alongside your salary of £42,593, Information Commissioner's Office contributes £12,339 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Selection process details

Please submit your CV and cover letter detailing your suitability to the role by 23:59, 5 October. We reserve the right to close this vacancy before this date should we receive sufficient applications. Please apply as soon as possible to ensure your application is considered. In the event of a high volume of applications, we may not be able to invite all candidates who meet the minimum criteria to interview. However, we encourage you stay in touch and apply for future roles that match your interests. All candidates who meet the minimum criteria and apply in-line with our guaranteed interview scheme for disabled and ethnic minority applicants will be interviewed. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

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)
• 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.

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found.