At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and respond to Freedom of Information requests while ensuring compliance with legislation.
- Company: Public sector organisation in Haddington with a focus on transparency.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, flexible working options, and potential for contract extension.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in promoting accountability and transparency in the public sector.
- Qualifications: HND or SVQ Level 4 in Business Administration or relevant experience required.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 12600 - 17500 £ per year.
A public sector organisation in Haddington is currently looking to recruit a Freedom of Information Officer for an initial 6 month contract with the option to extend on a rate of £175-£250/day (Inside IR35). This role will be based in Haddington / working from home.
You will manage and respond to Environmental Information and Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and supporting transparency and accountability across the organisation.
Responsibilities:- Manage and respond to information requests in line with statutory deadlines.
- Locate, retrieve and collate relevant data in response to requests, in cooperation with relevant staff.
- Ensure compliance with the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 and related legislation.
- Liaise with internal departments to gather information and provide clear, accurate responses.
- Maintain records of information requests and produce reports for monitoring and performance purposes.
- Provide advice and guidance to staff on FOI/EIR processes and best practice.
- Provide service areas with guidance and support on whether information held by the organisation can be disclosed by interpreting exemption criteria together with evidence provided by service areas.
- Compose legally compliant responses to FOI/EIR requests.
- Support wider Information Governance activities, including data protection and records management where required.
- Carry out other duties as required.
- Educated to HND or SVQ Level 4 in Business Administration or other relevant discipline and/or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge, skills and competencies gained through relevant experience.
- Strong understanding of Environmental Information and FOI legislation in Scotland and related regulatory frameworks.
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple requests and deadlines.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with attention to detail.
- Ability to work collaboratively across teams and build effective relationships.
- Experience of handling information requests through FOI(S) Act 2002, Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004.
- Experience of applying legislation and making assessments on whether information can be released.
- Experience of investigating and forming quality responses.
- Ability to produce written responses, which are well structured, accurate and of a high standard.
- Excellent IT skills – including use of Microsoft, CRM, back-office systems.
- Ability to communicate and work closely with a diverse range of stakeholders including the public, press, and Council staff.
- Ability to work on own initiative.
- Ability to prioritise work and work to targets and deadlines.
- Ability to deal with confidential information with tact and diplomacy.
- Experience in an information governance or compliance role.
- Complaint handling training.
- Complaint investigation training.
- Experience of developing processes or procedures to improve team/individual performance.
If you would like to hear more about this opportunity please get in touch.
Information Officer in Haddington employer: Venesky-Brown
Contact Detail:
Venesky-Brown Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Information Officer in Haddington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Tailor your responses to show how your skills align with their mission, especially around FOI and environmental legislation. We want to see that you’re genuinely interested!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on articulating your experience with FOI requests and compliance clearly and confidently.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Information Officer in Haddington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Information Officer role. Highlight your experience with FOI and EIR legislation, as well as any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how you fit into our team!
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves a lot of written communication, ensure your application showcases your strong writing abilities. Use clear, concise language and pay attention to detail. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can produce high-quality responses!
Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills: This position requires managing multiple requests and deadlines, so give us examples of how you've successfully juggled tasks in the past. We love seeing candidates who can keep things organised and efficient!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Venesky-Brown
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004. Being able to discuss these laws confidently will show that you understand the core responsibilities of the role.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Prepare examples of how you've managed multiple information requests or tight deadlines in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to handle the demands of the job and keep everything running smoothly.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Since the role involves liaising with various stakeholders, being able to communicate effectively will be key. Consider doing mock interviews to refine your responses.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
Think of instances where you've worked collaboratively across teams. Highlighting your ability to build effective relationships will show that you're a team player, which is essential for this position.