At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Information Request Team, ensuring effective handling of FOI, EIR, and GDPR requests.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Hounslow, a diverse and inclusive council committed to community service.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working hours, and a range of employee benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team focused on service improvement and community empowerment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a vibrant community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in information requests and knowledge of relevant legislation is essential.
The predicted salary is between 47262 - 50676 £ per year.
About us at Hounslow
We’d love you to join us at the London Borough of Hounslow! Our people are deeply committed to providing excellent services to our residents, doing all we can to make lives as good as they can be. We are an outstanding council, serving an outstanding borough. With brilliant, visionary leadership, a dynamic Cabinet and a can-do culture, we’ve built strong partnerships which have transformed how we serve one of London’s most diverse boroughs. Hounslow is the world in one place and full of potential. We are stepping up for our residents like never before.
About our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
We live by five core values: Lead with Heart, Do New, Pass on the Power, Harness the Mix and Be a Rock. All our work has equality, diversity and inclusion at its very heart, best articulated in “Harness the Mix”. It's about breaking down barriers between our parts and people and unlocking the problem-solving power of our amazing mix of minds. We serve a diverse community, we have a diverse workforce and we are committed to being an inclusive employer. We work hard to create representation across our workforce and leadership community, we have thriving employee network groups and our learning and development programmes help us lead, model and breathe ways of working that eliminate inequality, inequity, injustice and bias. As part of this and under our commitments as a Disability Confident Employer, we make reasonable adjustments to accommodate our candidates. There’s space for you to tell us what you need within our application form.
Our Benefits
If you join us, you’ll have access to a range of employee benefits.
About The Role
We are looking for an experienced Senior Information Request Officer to join our Information Request Team. In this role you will be helping to lead and drive effective and efficient process, sharing advice, support and training to services on Freedom of Information (FOI), Environmental Information Requests (EIR), Subject Access Requests (SAR) and General Data Protection requests (GDPR).
About The Team You’ll Be Working In
You will be an active member of the Digital, IT & Resilience service, with specific responsibilities within the information request area helping to promote the value of feedback and lessons learned to drive service improvements. You’ll be working in a multi-functional team, embracing new approaches and empowering our residents in line with our customer and staff charters and the Councils values and behaviours whilst ensuring adherence to data protection legislation in relation to handling these requests. You’ll proactively ensure that the council adopts a strategic and corporate approach to the implementation of all policies relating to dealing with FOI, EIR, and SAR.
About You
If the points below resonate with you, we’d love you to put in an application:
- You have experience working in an Information Request/FOI response team, can demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the law and practice relating to the Freedom of Information Act 2000, Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and Data Subject Rights under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, ideally in a local government setting.
- You understand what communication is required for internal and external stakeholders, are familiar with customer care issues with experience of dealing confidently and effectively with external agencies and members of the public as well as colleagues and senior stakeholders.
- You have experience of providing advice, including maintaining guidance materials, and delivering training courses and presentations.
- You will be able to manage people with confidence, providing leadership to your team and always acting as a role model.
- You will have excellent communication skills and be used to dealing with enquiries from both internal and external customers across multiple channels.
- You understand the importance of transparency and can convey this importance to your stakeholders and colleagues across the organisation.
Read more about the work you’ll be doing in the Role Profile.
When Interviews Will Be Held And Who To Contact
The key information you need about the role should be in the Role Profile, but if you have any further questions about the role, please contact the Recruitment Team via Recruitment@hounslow.gov.uk. Interviews dates to be confirmed.
Senior Information Request Officer employer: London Borough of Hounslow
The Heathland School in Hounslow is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values collaboration and professional growth. Employees benefit from a dynamic environment where they can develop their skills while contributing to the educational success of students. With a focus on meaningful work and community engagement, this role as Executive PA to the Headteacher provides a unique opportunity to make a significant impact within the school.
Contact Details:
London Borough of Hounslow Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Information Request Officer
✨Dive into Local Government Events
Get yourself to local government events and public sector job fairs. These are great for meeting recruiters and understanding what different organisations, like London Borough of Hounslow, are looking for. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the sector!
✨Join Relevant Networks
Look for communities focused on public sector careers. Whether it’s local networking groups or online forums, connecting with professionals in the field can provide insider knowledge and opportunities that you won’t find on typical job boards.
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Keep your finger on the pulse regarding new government projects and policies. Understanding current initiatives can give you a leg up in interviews, showing that you are informed and genuinely interested in making a difference in the public sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Information Request Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for London Borough of Hounslow and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Hounslow
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with London Borough of Hounslow, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Collaboration
The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for London Borough of Hounslow.
