Senior Solicitor (Information Governance) (Full Time) (Permanent) - REN14646

Renfrewshire Council is seeking to appoint a permanent Senior Solicitor (Information Governance). Working within Legal and Democratic Services, you will be part of our Information Governance Team. You will work alongside the Managing Solicitor (DPO) and Assistant Managing Solicitor (Depute DPO) in the development, implementation and review of strategies or plans, policies, procedures and guidance in relation to all areas of information governance risk, including Artificial Intelligence.

You will provide specialist legal advice on all areas of information governance such as data protection and freedom of information compliance, deliver training/briefings as required, and discharge a significant corporate role by assuming responsibility for the management, investigation and evaluation of information security incidents. You will also lead on the resolution of complex legal matters, oversee Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), and draft data processing/sharing agreements and confidentiality agreements.

It is essential that you maintain an up-to-date professional knowledge in all information governance legislation matters. You must hold a current Practising Certificate and will desirably have experience of dealing with data protection and information governance issues. Comprehensive knowledge of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004, and Data Protection law is essential.

You will be able to carry out a range of tasks within a broad remit and manage a demanding varied and extensive workload with minimum supervision. It is also essential that you have effective interpersonal, communication and report writing skills, are computer literate with the ability to use a range of software packages, together with the ability to work as part of a team.

Experience of leading on the resolution of complex legal matters, the ability to identify wider corporate issues arising from information governance work, as well as the ability to influence senior officers and Elected Members in relation to information governance compliance whilst also maintaining your specialist knowledge in all information governance legislation matters is also essential.

At Renfrewshire Council, we are committed to providing opportunities and training to support your own continuous personal development and career aspirations. These roles would suit anyone who wishes to gain or consolidate experience of working in-house and for a public authority in a specialist area. You will enjoy access to flexible working options and our range of employee benefits, which include a wide range of retail and leisure discounts, a Cycle to Work scheme, and enrolment in the Strathclyde Pension Fund.

With over 250,000 members and £20bn of investments, Strathclyde Pension Fund is one of the two biggest Local Government Pension Scheme funds, one of the top 20 UK pension funds, and one of the top 50 European pension funds. We offer enhanced support for working parents and carers and have achieved the 'Exemplary' level for a Carer Positive organisation in recognition of our modern and flexible workplace practices, our Carers’ Leave policy, and our Carers Connected network.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and would particularly welcome applications from candidates with a disability. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and are happy to discuss flexible working. If successful, you will be required to undertake a Disclosure Scotland check, the level of check will be determined by the duties of the post. If you would like further information in relation to the Disclosure Scotland checks, please visit www.disclosurescotland.co.uk.

For an informal discussion about the role, contact email Allison Black, Managing Solicitor (DPO) at Alison.Black@renfrewshire.gov.uk.