DATA PROTECTION LEAD
Salary: The starting salary is £46,050, which includes allowances totalling £2,928.
The salary is broken down as £43,132 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale - £52,652. Plus, a location allowance of £1,928 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000.
Location / Hybrid Working:
This role can be based in either Sidcup, Hendon or Bow but there may be a need for you to attend offsite meetings as required by the business. We actively support hybrid working solutions, with the expectation that you will have 2 days working at home.
The Role:
Policing London is no small task, and the complexity of managing data is at the heart of it all. To ensure the Met’s success in keeping London safe, we need a highly skilled Data Protection Lead to help us navigate and ensure compliance with the ever-evolving data protection landscape. If you’re someone with an eye for detail and a passion for data protection, we want you to be part of our journey to create a safer, more efficient Met.
In this key role, you will lead the way in ensuring the MPS’s compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) and UK-GDPR 2018. Your expertise will be integral to guiding teams across the Met to meet the highest data protection standards, and your work will directly support our goal of building trust with the public.
You’ll be the go-to person for all things related to data protection within the Met. From managing the completion of essential documents such as Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), Data Sharing Agreements (DSAs), and Data Processing Contracts (DPCs), to providing expert advice and support to various teams, your role will be crucial in ensuring that our handling of personal data is always in line with legal requirements.
On a day-to-day basis, you’ll work closely with a range of stakeholders, including Information Assurance teams, Legal Services, and senior leaders, helping to develop and maintain robust data protection frameworks. You’ll also play a leading role in monitoring compliance, ensuring that any potential risks are identified and mitigated in a timely manner. From assessing whether a data breach meets the threshold for escalation to advising on how to improve data protection measures across the organisation, your expertise will make a direct impact.
This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference within the Met and shape the future of data protection in policing.
What we can offer:
* Hybrid working arrangements for a healthy work-life balance
* 28 days annual leave (excluding public holidays), rising to 33 days after 5 years continuous service
* Personal and professional development opportunities
* Enrolment with the Met’s employee incentive partner, Edenred, giving access to a range of rewards and incentives
* Access to a range of financial products via the Metropolitan Police Trading Service, including preferred credit facilities
* Generous family leave for pregnancy, adoption, paternity and shared parental leave
* Childcare support including nursery and play scheme discounts
* Excellent contributory pension scheme for your financial future
* Access to the Bluelight Emergency Services discount card with a range of official discounts from large national retailers to local businesses including holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones and much more
* A substantial range of health and wellbeing benefits including physiotherapy, 24/7 rehabilitation services and free eye tests
* To promote physical well-being you will have full access to subsidised sports centre membership to over 3,000 UK gyms and 80 London Fitness Centres. There is also an excellent range of sporting activities on offer through the various Met Police Sports and Social Clubs.
What You’ll Be Doing
* Taking charge of compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK-GDPR 2018, ensuring the Met remains at the forefront of data protection standards.
* Providing guidance and leadership in completing essential data protection documentation, including bespoke Privacy Notices and toolkits to ensure that all business areas remain compliant with data laws.
* Assisting teams in completing Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), Data Sharing Agreements (DSAs), and other critical data governance documents that align with the Met’s strategic objectives.
* Offering expert advice and direction on all aspects of data protection legislation and law, supporting teams in their audits and demonstrating compliance where necessary.
* Running training sessions, both locally and across the Met, to improve the organisation’s data literacy and ensure everyone understands the importance of data protection.
* Working alongside a wide range of functions, including the Legal Services Department and various directorates, to ensure the effective and compliant management of personal data.
* Maintaining up-to-date knowledge on evolving legislation, ICO guidance, and the latest developments in data protection law, advising the team and wider organisation as needed.
* Assessing whether data breaches require escalation, and working with stakeholders to manage risks and mitigate potential impact.
* Collaborating with various teams, including the Information Assurance Unit and Information Asset Team, to ensure the data-driven objectives of the New Met for London (NMfL) initiative are built on a solid, compliant foundation.
Essential Criteria:
* Understanding and knowledge of the Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018 and UK-GDPR 2018.
* Knowledge of Freedom of Information Act 2000, Human Rights Act 1998, European Convention on Human Rights, Protection of Freedom Act 2012.
* Excellent communication skills with the ability to write in a concise and accurate manner.
* Negotiation skills to resolve project management issues, including challenging, where appropriate, when a processing activity contravenes data protection legislation; and
* Proven ability to work within a pressurised environment, be resilient and prioritise competing requirements effectively.
Desirable Criteria:
* Experience of working in a partnership/multi-agency environment.
* Knowledge of PACE, Common Law, Environmental Information Regulations 2000.
* Knowledge of EU requirements & the Law Enforcement Directive.
* Knowledge of international data law e.g. Transfer Impact Assessment (TIA) and Standards Contractual Clause (SCC).
* Knowledge of Management of Police Information (MOPI) and Police Information and Records Management (PIRM).
* Knowledge of associated legislation relevant to information law, including data ethics.
Security Clearance:
Due to the secure nature of our work, successful candidates must pass all vetting and security requirements, which for this role means Vetting Clearance is Force Clearance Level, Recruitment Vetting (RV), National Security Vetting (NSV), Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)
Mets Vetting process and charter:
https://www.met.police.uk/police-forces/metropolitan-police/areas/c/careers/vetting/
More details relating to UK Security Clearance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-security-vetting
We view diversity as fundamental to our success. To tackle today’s complex policing challenges, we welcome applications from all of our London communities.