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- Tasks: Manage and respond to FOI requests, ensuring transparency and compliance.
- Company: Public sector organisation in East Lothian with a commitment to accountability.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working options, and potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Opportunity to work collaboratively and grow in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public transparency while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: HND or SVQ Level 4 in Business Administration or relevant experience required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 50000 £ per year.
A public sector organisation in East Lothian 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). Hybrid working/fully remote: first day onsite. All applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application and be resident in the UK.
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.
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task.
- 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.
- Customer focused.
- 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.
Freedom of Information (FOI) Officer in Scotland employer: Venesky Brown
Contact Detail:
Venesky Brown Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Freedom of Information (FOI) Officer in Scotland
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the public sector or those who have worked as FOI Officers. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and tips on how to ace the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by brushing up on the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act and related legislation. We want you to be able to discuss how you would handle specific scenarios, so think of examples from your past experience that showcase your skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your organisational skills! During interviews, highlight how you've managed multiple requests and deadlines in the past. We love candidates who can juggle tasks while keeping everything compliant and on track.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who are ready to make a difference in transparency and accountability.
We think you need these skills to ace Freedom of Information (FOI) Officer in Scotland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Freedom of Information Officer role. Highlight your experience with FOI legislation and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how you fit into our team!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves a lot of written communication, it’s crucial to demonstrate your strong writing abilities. Use clear, concise language in your application and provide examples of how you've effectively communicated complex information in the past.
Highlight Organisational Skills: This position requires excellent organisational skills, so be sure to mention any experience you have managing multiple requests or deadlines. We love seeing candidates who can juggle tasks while maintaining attention to detail!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you 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. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
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. Understanding these laws will not only help you answer questions confidently but also demonstrate your commitment to compliance and transparency.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to manage multiple requests and deadlines. Think of specific situations where you successfully organised information or collaborated with teams to meet statutory deadlines, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Since the role involves composing legally compliant responses, being able to communicate complex information in a straightforward manner will be key. Consider doing mock interviews with a friend to refine your delivery.
✨Demonstrate Customer Focus
Be ready to discuss how you've handled sensitive information and dealt with various stakeholders in the past. Highlight your customer-focused approach and how you’ve maintained tact and diplomacy when responding to requests, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.