Protecting information and maintaining public trust is at the heart of this role. As a Data Governance Officer, you'll join our Information Governance Service and play a key role in helping the Council meet its obligations under UK data protection legislation. Working within the Data Protection team, you'll provide specialist advice and practical support that helps services across the organisation manage information responsibly, protect personal data and uphold the rights of residents, customers and colleagues.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with data protection experience who enjoys interpreting legislation, solving complex problems and working with a wide range of stakeholders. You'll be part of a collaborative team whose mission is to promote transparency and uphold data rights, supporting the Council to maintain compliance while enabling services to deliver effective outcomes for communities across West Northamptonshire.

You'll provide expert advice and guidance on data protection matters, supporting services to comply with legislation including the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Working closely with colleagues across the Council, you'll help develop and review Data Sharing Agreements, Data Protection Impact Assessments, Records of Processing Activities and Privacy Notices, ensuring legal obligations are met and risks are effectively managed. 

A significant part of the role will involve managing Subject Access Requests and other data rights requests, coordinating responses and ensuring all requests are handled accurately and within statutory timescales. You'll also support investigations into data breaches and information incidents, contribute to complaint handling, and help services identify and implement improvements that strengthen data protection compliance and reduce future risks. 

Alongside this, you'll support awareness and capability across the organisation by developing guidance, delivering training and contributing to communications that promote good data handling practices. You'll also work collaboratively with colleagues across Information Governance, supporting areas such as Freedom of Information, records management and information sharing where required.

You're an organised and motivated professional with a strong understanding of data protection legislation and a passion for helping organisations manage information responsibly. You have experience responding to data rights requests, advising on compliance matters and applying legislation in practical situations, balancing legal requirements with operational needs. 

You bring excellent communication skills and are able to explain complex legislative requirements clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. Comfortable managing competing priorities and working to strict deadlines, you have strong attention to detail and can confidently handle sensitive information with professionalism and discretion. 

Experience of Freedom of Information, Environmental Information Regulations, records management or public sector working would be advantageous, but most importantly you'll be committed to continuous learning, collaborative working and delivering high-quality support services. You'll share our THRIVE values and our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of transparency, compliance and information governance.

At West Northants Council, it’s about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-minded people.

Our vision is ‘to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive’. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services. Hear from our Chief Executive, Martin Henry, about building a career at WNC.

We are committed to ensuring diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion is woven into the fabric of WNC and everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and maximize their full potential.  We are a disability confident employer, a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and a Care Leaver Covenant partner

The following film was created by us to communicate our intentions - watch WNC colleagues explain what DEI means to us.

 If you need additional support or reasonable adjustments during the application process, including needing the job description in another format or language, please email careers@westnorthants.gov.uk for support.

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