At a Glance
- Tasks: Process information requests and ensure compliance with key legislation.
- Company: Join the Police Service of Northern Ireland, serving the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, environmental allowance, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for continuous learning and career development in a dynamic team.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by ensuring transparency and integrity in public service.
- Qualifications: Experience with FOI, EIR, or DP legislation and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30458 - 31197 € per year.
The role holder will support the PSNI in ensuring it delivers against its statutory obligations under key legislation, including the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI), Environmental Information Regulation 2004 (EIR), and the right of ‘access’ under Data Protection Legislation including the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA), the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUAA), and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The successful candidate will be part of a team and will take ownership for the processing of requests for information to ensure the PSNI provides accurate, timely responses in compliance with its legal obligations. This includes deciding what information can be released or withheld, applying legal exemptions where necessary, while maintaining high standards of transparency and integrity. The role also involves supporting continuous improvement, contributing to training and peer review, and providing advice to colleagues and members of the public.
Hours of Work: Monday – Friday 37 hours per week.
Salary: £30,458 - £31,097 plus £1422 environmental allowance
Main Activities- Casework Management: Taking ownership for processing information requests made under the Freedom of Information Act (FOI), Environmental Information Regulations (EIR), and Data Protection legislation (DPA/UK GDPR/DUAA), ensuring responses are completed accurately, lawfully, and within statutory timeframes. Managing own workload, self‑allocating requests to maintain a proper caseload and meet statutory deadlines. Applying subject matter expertise to manage all stages of the request process: logging, allocation, research, stakeholder engagement, assessment of recorded information, application of exemptions, and quality assurance to provide a clear, concise response. Maintaining high legal compliance standards, ensuring decisions are well‑reasoned, clearly documented, and made with integrity and transparency.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Developing and maintaining professional relationships with teams and departments across the PSNI, providing advice, guidance, briefings, and assistance regarding legislation and handling of requests. Liaising with internal and external stakeholders, including the public, NPCC Central Referral Unit (NPCC CRU), PRONI, ICO, and PSNI departments. Responding to external queries and giving partners, external organisations and the public clear, expert advice and guidance on request handling and applicable legislation, whether by phone, email, or paper correspondence, including verification of identity and entitlement to information. Collaborating with external colleagues and partner agencies to share information and best practice.
- Research and Decision‑Making: Determining the appropriate legislation for progressing a request and establishing the best avenues for progression. Conducting thorough research to locate and assess relevant records, including system‑based searches and consultation with Record Owners. Consistently identifying and assessing disclosure harm, applying redactions and legal exemptions in line with legislation, and ensuring complete audit trails for harm, public interest, prejudice, balancing tests, and exemption application. Effectively prioritising and processing multiple requests governing public service data within tight legislative deadlines.
- Operational Support: Working effectively as part of the Corporate Information team to progress requests and questions received under the identified legislation and deliver excellence for the public. Providing regular updates regarding casework, raising issues requiring early guidance or intervention, and complying with internal policies and processes. Monitoring unallocated cases, validating requests, and engaging with requestors for clarification where required. Managing relevant mailboxes, processing physical correspondence, and contributing to records management, reporting, and additional tasks required by the Branch. Supporting the handling of internal reviews and complaints from the ICO and escalating complex or sensitive issues to senior staff as appropriate.
- Continuous Improvement and Development: Using skills and experience to identify and report/address root causes of problems in request handling. Undertaking regular training and professional development to keep knowledge up‑to‑date of legislation and procedures. Supporting a culture of learning by contributing to peer reviews, briefings, mentoring colleagues, and sharing knowledge across the team and wider organisation.
Essential Qualifications
Essential Skills and Experience: 12 months experience interpreting and processing information requests under FOI, EIR and/or DP legislation in a work setting. Proven ability to simultaneously manage and prioritise multiple tasks, working effectively under pressure while meeting tight deadlines and maintaining high attention to detail. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage with a range of internal and external stakeholders. Experience in assessing information and applying sound judgement and decision‑making to prepare accurate, structured, written responses or formal communications.
Essential Other: IT literate, specifically in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook). Access to transport that allows full job performance.
Desirable Skills and Experience: Law degree or degree with legal component or experience processing/applying law enforcement provisions and exemptions under FOI and/or DP legislation. Experience contributing to team learning or continuous improvement, such as peer review, mentoring, or sharing best practice.
Additional Information: Appointment will depend on the candidate satisfying the vetting requirements for the role, which is SC. There is a minimum requirement for a three‑year checkable history immediately preceding the submission of a vetting questionnaire.
Selection Methodology: PSNI uses the Competency and Values Framework (CVF). Applicants meeting eligibility and essential qualifications will be assessed against the required values and competencies. Further guidance and CVF information are available on our website using the 2024 CVF for this role.
Decision Maker (EO2), Corporate Information Branch Greater Belfast Closing date: 26/05/26 employer: Lawsoc Ni
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises integrity, transparency, and continuous improvement. Located in Greater Belfast, employees benefit from a collaborative environment with opportunities for professional development and training, ensuring they remain at the forefront of legislative compliance while making a meaningful impact in the community. With a commitment to employee well-being and a focus on fostering strong relationships across various departments, PSNI stands out as a rewarding place to build a career in public service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Decision Maker (EO2), Corporate Information Branch Greater Belfast Closing date: 26/05/26
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the PSNI and their values! Research their mission and recent projects. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your decision-making skills! Since this role involves assessing information requests, think of scenarios where you had to make tough decisions. Be ready to discuss your thought process and how you ensure compliance with legislation.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former PSNI employees on LinkedIn. They can provide insights into the culture and expectations, plus it might just give you a leg up when applying through our website.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for competency-based questions! The PSNI uses the Competency and Values Framework, so think of examples from your experience that demonstrate your skills in managing requests and engaging with stakeholders.
We think you need these skills to ace Decision Maker (EO2), Corporate Information Branch Greater Belfast Closing date: 26/05/26
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experience align with the role of Decision Maker. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Experience:When detailing your experience, focus on specific examples where you've successfully managed information requests or applied legislation like FOI or DP. We want to see how you've made a difference in your previous roles!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your written responses clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Avoid jargon unless it's relevant to the role, and make sure your key points stand out.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly and helps us keep track of all applications efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lawsoc Ni
✨Know Your Legislation
Familiarise yourself with the Freedom of Information Act, Environmental Information Regulations, and Data Protection legislation. Be prepared to discuss how these laws apply to the role and give examples of how you've navigated similar regulations in past experiences.
✨Showcase Your Casework Skills
Highlight your experience in managing information requests. Prepare specific examples where you successfully processed requests under FOI or DP legislation, focusing on your attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your interpersonal skills by discussing how you've built relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Think of instances where you provided guidance or resolved queries effectively, as this will show your ability to communicate clearly and professionally.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Talk about your commitment to professional development and how you've contributed to team learning. Share any experiences where you identified issues in processes and suggested improvements, as this aligns with the PSNI's focus on excellence and transparency.
