Data Protection Practitioner

Overview

If you’re passionate about data, transparency and ensuring information is handled with integrity, this is a great opportunity to join us as an Data Protection Practitioner. You’ll help the Council meet its statutory duties across Data Protection, Freedom of Information and Environmental Information Regulations, playing a vital role in protecting the public’s trust and supporting high-quality decision-making across the organisation.

About the role

In this varied and meaningful role, you’ll manage a range of information governance cases from start to finish — from data breach investigations to FOI and EIR requests. You’ll provide clear, confident advice to services, help colleagues navigate complex legislation, and support improvements to how information is managed across the Council.

Your work will involve assessing risks, reviewing evidence, preparing professional reports and correspondence, and ensuring statutory deadlines are consistently met. You’ll also contribute to projects, support the development of training materials, and help embed good information governance practice throughout the Council.

A few key elements of the role include:

• Managing and delivering data protection, FOI and EIR casework to statutory standards.
• Investigating compliance issues, including more complex or sensitive cases.
• Providing expert, accessible advice to colleagues, customers and stakeholders.
• Using case management systems to analyse information and record decisions effectively.

About you

You’ll bring a strong understanding of relevant information governance legislation and enjoy applying it in a practical, solutions-focused way. You’ll be comfortable working independently, making informed decisions and communicating clearly with a wide range of people.

You’ll thrive in this role if you are:

• A clear communicator who can explain legal or technical issues in plain, confident language.
• Organised and detail-focused, able to prioritise deadlines and maintain accuracy.
• Analytical, with experience researching, evaluating and presenting information.
• Collaborative, keen to share knowledge and contribute to service improvements.

You will also have:

• Experience working in progressively demanding roles within information governance or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of GDPR, FOI, EIR and data protection principles.
• Proficiency with case management systems and accurate record-keeping.
• NVQ 3 / HNC (or equivalent) as a minimum.
• The ability to converse effectively with the public in spoken English.

A full driving licence is desirable but not essential.

Other information

If you would like to find out more about the role, please contact: Isa Jaye at [email protected]

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 26th April 2026

Interview date: Week commencing 4th May 2026

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
• All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023).

For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance and the guidance published by the Ministry of Justice (see, in particular, the section titled ‘Exceptions Order’).

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

a fair and inclusive culture

• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

 

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/