Data Protection Advisor

Overview

In this role you will provide expert privacy and data protection guidance across the Home Office and its Arm’s Length Bodies, helping ensure lawful, fair and transparent processing while enabling departmental priorities. You will work with senior stakeholders and regulators to enhance compliance capability and embed data protection by design and default. This is a chance to shape privacy practices across a large UK government department and its partners, influencing decision-making and risk management.

Pay / Benefits

• Civil Service pension with employer contribution
• In-year reward scheme
• 25 days annual leave (30 with service)
• 8 public holidays + privilege day
• Hybrid working where feasible

Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance on privacy and data protection obligations and best practices.
• Assess complex personal data processing activities and recommend mitigations.
• Support management of personal data incidents, breaches, complaints and enquiries.
• Collaborate with business areas to develop practical privacy solutions.
• Engage with regulators and public sector partners on data protection matters.
• Produce guidance, recommendations and assurance products to support decision-making.
• Contribute to communications, training, and assurance activities within the Data Protection Practitioner Network.
• Promote a culture of compliance and embedding data protection by design and default across the Home Office.

Key requirements

• Expert working knowledge of UK and EU privacy and data protection legislation (DPA, UK GDPR, Human Rights Act, Data Use and Access Act).
• Experience advising on privacy and data protection in a complex organisation.
• Ability to analyse complex regulatory requirements and explain them clearly to stakeholders.
• Experience identifying privacy risks and recommending practical mitigations.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes to tight timescales.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to influence.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and staying current on data protection issues.

• Communication and influencing
• Delivering at pace
• Making effective decisions
• Privacy and data protection legislation knowledge
• Risk assessment and mitigation
• Incident management and response

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