Lead Policy Officer

Lead Policy Officer Northern Irish Affairs Full time / Part time Salary: £33,273 £37,692 pa, with potential for further progression to £42,439 pa with our pay progression scheme. Location : Hybrid Contracted to our Belfast office, however, we offer flexible home and office-based working opportunities. There will be times when you will be expected to attend the office to collaborate with colleagues or travel due to business need.? Why work for the ICO? Pay progression scheme. Hybrid and flexible working options. 25 days paid holiday per year, plus privilege and public holidays. Flexi leave (up to 24 additional days leave per year). Pension (employer contribution around 28.9%). Online discount scheme to save money at major supermarkets, retailers, gyms, restaurants, insurance providers and many more. Health Cash Plan. Fantastic development opportunities to learn and progress. Further details can be found on the benefits section of our website. About us The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) is the independent regulator of information rights. In a data-driven world, we provide advice, guidance, and support to organisations enabling compliance with their obligations, as well as protecting individuals and their personal data. As an employer, we are passionate about making a positive difference to the lives and careers of our people, and we empower you to be curious, impactful, collaborative and respectful. Job summary Are you interested in privacy, transparency and rights? Do you think information about people should be protected properly? Do you have excellent analytical and communication skills and a good understanding of the Northern Irish political, policy and legislative landscape? You will support colleagues to represent the ICO within Northern Ireland and hold key stakeholder relationships. The Northern Ireland team plays a crucial role in ensuring the ICO delivers its statutory functions and strategic objectives in Northern Ireland and provides expert advice on NI public affairs, legislation and policy to internal colleagues. As a member of the NI team, you will support senior colleagues to deal with some of the most high profile issues of the day and major public policy. Issues that you will work on within the NI context will include AI, biometrics, data sharing and childrens privacy. Job description The Lead Policy Officer will manage a portfolio of specific stakeholder relationships within Northern Ireland to the benefit of the ICO and provide them with a professional, proactive and unified service (involving other ICO colleagues as issues dictate). They will provide support to senior colleagues on key strategic relationships. Key responsibilities: To develop and manage the ICOs relationship with specified stakeholders in Northern Ireland, influencing them in a way consistent with the ICO corporate and local business plan objectives. To support colleagues in their work dealing with critical and significant relationships and issues in Northern Ireland To represent the ICO at external meetings and events with specified stakeholders including speaking engagements. To provide advice on compliance to specified stakeholders. To contribute to the development of ICO guidance and other products where Northern Irish specific content is required. To support senior colleagues in undertaking statutory consultations on legislative proposals that involve the processing of personal data. To collaborate with cross office colleagues as required to help ensure a joined up approach to identifying and addressing issues for action in Northern Ireland and to ensure that ICO initiatives are successful in Northern Ireland. To identify systemic practices that fail to deliver good information rights outcomes in ICO priority areas and causes and propose and promote solutions in collaboration with colleagues. To contribute to the development of the ICOs strategy and business plan for the Northern Ireland team. To understand the relevant legislation and political, social and legal developments that impact on stakeholders or on information rights more generally. To provide support as necessary to the Support Officer in all aspects of their work and substitute for them in their absence. To undertake any other duties required to assist with the teams effective operation. Person specification Essential criteria assessed at application stage: Experience relevant to the role requirements, as described in the role responsibilities and person specification, and accumulated through any combination of academic or vocational qualifications or experience. Relevant Work Experience Good intellectual and analytical skills. Knowledge and experience of applying data protection law or ability to apply complex legislation to a variety of circumstances. Knowledge and experience of working in relevant sectors or ability to develop detailed knowledge in specified stakeholder areas. Effective written communication skills with ability to undertake clear and influential written communications including letters, consultation responses and meeting notes. Effective verbal communication skills in particular the ability to provide clear advice in meetings and do presentations Excellent interpersonal skills with people at all levels and ability to influence stakeholders Essential criteria assessed at interview stage: Good intellectual and analytical skills. Knowledge and experience of applying data protection law or ability to apply complex legislation to a variety of circumstances. Knowledge and experience of working in relevant sectors or ability to develop detailed knowledge in specified stakeholder areas. Effective written communication skills with ability to undertake clear and influential written communications including letters, consultation responses and meeting notes. Effective verbal communication skills in particular the ability to provide clear advice in meetings and do presentations Excellent interpersonal skills with people at all levels and ability to influence stakeholders Ability to deal with a demanding workload which may include conflicting demands on time Ability to work on own initiative and as a member of a team An ability to help others to develop their knowledge/ experience. Ability to travel to meetings and events across Northern Ireland and elsewhere in the UK (possibly outside office hours) Equality, diversity, and inclusion The ICO is committed to promoting and enhancing equality, diversity, and inclusion. We are focused on developing a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve and together we are building an inclusive workplace where all of our colleagues have the opportunity to make a real difference. We are championing this through our Equality Diversity and Inclusion Board together with a number of staff networks. Read more about our commitment on our website. Candidates with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for this vacancy will be invited to interview as part of the ICOs commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you have a disability or impairment and have difficulty using our online application system, please email the HR team at who can arrange for you to submit an application via an alternative method. Closing Date Please submit your CV by? 23:59 on Sunday 20th July 2025 We reserve the right to close this vacancy before this date should we receive sufficient applications. Please apply as soon as possible to ensure your application is considered.

Location: Belfast, GB

Posted Date: 7/13/2025