Job Description

We are looking for two candidates with excellent knowledge of Freedom of Information policy to perform this key role in the External Affairs team of the Communications Team (part of the Strategy Directorate). Working as part of a small but busy team, the Parliamentary Business and FOI Response team, the postholders will have an important role in delivering NHS England's statutory responsibility for delivery against FOI legislation. This is an opportunity to develop skills beyond the routine handling of FOI requests in a busy organisation, supporting both the senior managers and case officers within the team.

The postholders will:

Lead on Information Commissioner Office (ICO) complaint case work and responding to ICO investigations.

Oversee the Internal Review process.

Manage complex casework, working with the Case Officers/Senior Case Officer.

Support the Senior Management Team with work on Tribunals.

Support the Senior FOI Manager with training, and cover for the Senior FOI Manager during leave.

May be asked to process general FOIs as team capacity requires.



The postholders will report to the Senior FOI Manager. The posts are at any NHSE location, supporting a team that is based across the country.



As Freedom of Information Advisor, the post holder will work as part of a busy team in delivering an effective service supporting the management of all FOI requests submitted to NHSE and affiliated organisations. The post entails coordinating responses on sometimes very complex subjects and turning this information into effective and timely FOI responses.



The postholder will have management responsibility for case officers and in the FOI team, and represent the team in liaison with senior leaders inside the organisation, including the Chief Executive's office.



Our work supports the NHS to deliver high quality services for patients and best value for taxpayers.



Our staff bring expertise across hundreds of specialisms -- including clinical, operational, commissioning, technology, data science, cyber security, software engineering, education, and commercial -- enabling us to design and deliver high-quality NHS services.

We lead the NHS in England by:

Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities



Making the NHS a great place to work, where our people can make a difference and achieve their potential



Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care



Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation



Delivering value for money



Earlier this year, the Government announced that NHS England will gradually merge with the Department of Health and Social Care, leading to full integration. The aim is to create a smaller, more strategic centre that reduces duplication and eliminates waste.



If successful at interview, we will initiate an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). This retrieves key data from your current or previous NHS employer to support onboarding, including competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement. You may opt out at any stage of the recruitment process.



The post holder will manage responses independently, liaising with colleagues when appropriate. Tasks include:



Networking effectively with all the Directorates of NHS England and Improvement, and the Chief Executive's office. Managing the FOI system Ensuring that record-keeping and knowledge management within the area of work is effective. Representing the area of work to others, internally. Being an effective advocate for the importance of FOI. Line Management of Senior Case Officers

Key Functional Responsibilities Project Management



Contribute to performance improvement, taking a lead for identified areas. Provide coordination of and participate in relevant working groups and provide project advice, expertise and support where requested.

Provide relevant and timely specialist advice and guidance on own portfolio.



Work with members of the Team to investigate the causes of any variance from plan and proactively contribute to the implementation of solutions. Management of a risk and issues tracking mechanism and the resolution and escalation processes.

Financial and Physical Resources



Provide regular reporting on the targeting of resources and monitoring their implementation from a value for money perspective. Provide oversight and monitoring of all aspects of team budgets or manage budgets as required. Ensure project expenditure is monitored accordingly.

People Management



Take a lead in the coordination of training, development and recruitment activity across the Team. Manage staff, undertaking appraisals, and managing any employee relations issues.

Information Management



Devise and provide improvements to current management information, analysing, reporting and suggesting procedures to enhance decision making processes. Ensure timely and accurate detailed information analysis and reporting to management on agreed areas of work.

Research and Development



Contribute to the development of key performance indicators. Delegate aspects of research and development activities, collating information, analysing and reporting findings.

Planning and Organisation



Contribute to the strategic planning of team projects, identifying interdependencies, and potential impacts on wider organisation, resource requirements and building in contingency and adjustments as necessary. Contribute to short, medium and long-term business plans.

Policy and Service Development



Develop policies and procedures in own work function with an impact on the wider organisation, as required. Contribute to the development of an integrated approach to service management.

Key Working Relationships



The post holder will be required to maintain constructive relationships with a broad range of stakeholders. Participate in relevant working groups/projects, services and initiatives to provide, information and analytical advice and expertise. Develop and implement data collection systems that will provide accurate and timely data.

Present information and issues, explaining highly complex issues, to a wide range of stakeholders.



Secondments



Applicants from within the NHS will be offered on a secondment basis only, agreement should be obtained from their employer prior to submitting the application.



You can find further details about the role, including key responsibilities and accountabilities , alongside the organisational structure and person specification in the attached and other supporting documents.