Job Description

Working for Energy Saving Trust

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At Energy Saving Trust we don't just offer jobs - we offer careers.



Our mission is to address the climate emergency, and being a part of this effort makes working for us meaningful and rewarding.



We're a leading and trusted organisation, dedicated to promoting:


energy efficiency low carbon transport sustainable energy use

We work with governments, businesses and individuals to deliver the wider benefits of clean energy as the UK transitions to net zero.



We're committed to creating an engaging, supportive and inclusive workplace for everyone, and providing opportunities for development.



We're always looking for committed people with a diverse set of skills and experiences to help us achieve our goal.



Our roles are either blended to one of our offices, or home-based. We're happy to chat about flexible working and our blended working model with you at the interview stage. Our offices are located in:


London Edinburgh Cardiff Belfast

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Data Protection Officer

Issue Date:

29 July 2025

Closing Date:

14 August 2025

Position Ref:

SB 1392

Location:

Flexible within the UK. Home-based, blended or fully office based (from our offices in Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh or London).

Hours:

Full-time (Please see "flexible working" section)

Salary

: Up to 50,000 per annum (depending on experience)

The team

Who we are:

We're part of the Finance, Risk and Compliance team. Our job is to help the organisation stay on track by managing risk, following rules, and making sure we do things the right way.

What we do:

We work across areas like data protection, risk, fraud prevention, contracts, and buying goods and services.

How we work:

We follow a clear structure that helps everyone understand their role. The Data Protection Officer is part of the second line of defence, offering independent advice and support on data privacy. They're supported by an Assistant Data Protection Officer who reports directly to them.

Our culture

: We're a close-knit team. We share ideas, support each other, and work together to solve problems.

Why join us?

"There's a real sense of purpose here. We're not just ticking boxes--we're helping shape a more sustainable future while supporting each other every step of the way."

The role

Are you passionate about data protection and want to make a real impact in the fight against the climate emergency? Join

Energy Saving Trust

as our

Data Protection Officer

and help ensure we handle personal and organisational data with integrity, transparency, and care.



As a key member of our

Finance, Risk and Compliance Centre of Excellence

, you'll lead our data protection strategy, oversee compliance with UK GDPR and related legislation, and act as a trusted advisor across the organisation. You'll manage and mentor the Assistant Data Protection Officer and collaborate with IT and cybersecurity teams to align data protection with information security standards.



You'll play a vital role in embedding a culture of accountability and risk awareness, supporting our

Three Lines of Defence model

and helping teams across the organisation understand and manage their data responsibilities.

Success in this role

means embedding a proactive approach to data protection, delivering clear and timely advice, and building strong relationships across the organisation. You'll have the opportunity to shape strategy, influence decision-making, and be part of a team that values collaboration, integrity, and continuous improvement.

Join us

in supporting the transition to a low-carbon future--where your expertise in data protection helps drive meaningful impact in tackling the climate emergency.

What you'll do

Strategic Oversight

: Lead the organisation's data protection strategy and ensure compliance with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and other relevant legislation--acting as a key advisor and point of contact for the ICO and data subjects.

Governance and Risk Culture

: Operate within the second line of defence in the organisation's Three Lines of Defence model, fostering a risk-aware, accountable culture across all Centre's of Excellence.

Stakeholder Engagement:

Build strong relationships with internal teams, including IT and cybersecurity, to align data protection with information security standards, and support external engagement with regulators and data subjects.

Leadership and Development:

Manage and mentor the Assistant Data Protection Officer, while contributing to the growth and capability of the wider Risk and Compliance Team.

Mission Impact:

By ensuring ethical and secure handling of data, this role supports Energy Saving Trust's mission to address the climate emergency--building public trust and enabling effective, sustainable services for people and communities.

What you'll bring

Expert Knowledge

: In-depth understanding of UK data protection laws, including UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, PECR, FOI, and FOISA.

Leadership Skills

: Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop team members, fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Analytical Thinking:

Strong ability to interpret complex regulations and apply them to real-world scenarios, supporting risk-based decision-making.

Communication:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly for policy development, reporting, and stakeholder engagement.

Proactivity and Initiative:

Demonstrated ability to stay ahead of regulatory changes and proactively support compliance across diverse business areas.



For more information, please see job description: JD - Data Protection Officer- SB 1392



Applications close 5.30pm, 14 August. Interviews are intended to be held 21-28 August.

To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.

. We will ask for your personal details, work history and a supporting statement. Applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered.



In your supporting statement please explain how you meet the essential areas in the job description. Applications submitted via email or without a supporting statement will not be considered.



As part of our recruitment process, we conduct background checks on all candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment. The nature of the scheme that we are contracted to work on with Scottish Government means that we are required to comply with UK Government standards when carrying out pre-employment checks for new starters. This check is known as the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (or BPSS) check.



The BPSS checks will include a basic criminal record check (DBS check), verification of identity, verification of right to work in the UK and your previous 3 years employment history. Information obtained will only be used for the purposes of assessing your suitability for the role. Please note that if successful, any offer of employment made will be conditional pending the successful completion of the BPSS checks.



More information on the checks can be found here:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/baseline-personnel-security-standard-on-amiqus-processing-data-privacy-notice/

Reasonable adjustments:

If you think you may need additional support or reasonable adjustments made to any part of the recruitment process, please get in touch with recruitment@est.org.uk or call reception on +44 (0)20 7222 0101. We will do our very best to support you.

Flexible working:

We offer a range of flexible working arrangements, including working from home, compressed or part-time hours, job shares and other arrangements. There is no need to justify your preferred working pattern and we encourage our people to work in whichever way helps them to perform at their best.



We will be happy to discuss this and our blended working model at the interview stage with you.



Please note, that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this post. To apply for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the UK.

Diversity and inclusion

Energy Saving Trust is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone can be themselves, with support to be their best.



We strongly encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and with different identities and experiences to apply for roles with Energy Saving Trust.

How do I apply for a vacancy?

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Please use our recruitment portal to apply. The application form will ask you for:


your personal details your employment history a supporting statement

In your supporting statement, clearly outline your suitability for the role and why you want to apply for the job. We're unable to accept email applications.



You can check the progress of your application by logging into the recruitment portal at any time. We review every application we get and if you're shortlisted for interview we'll let you know as soon as we can.



Due to the volume of applications we get, we can't reply to everyone. If your application is successful, you should hear from us within three weeks.