Head of Information Governance, FOI Lead and Data Protection Officer (Ref: 201559)
Substantive, Full Time – 37 hours per week
Band 8a - Salary Range £60,126 - £64,906 per annum plus
Distant Island Allowance of £2,380 per annum
Relocation Assistance of up to £8000 available
Transforming Healthcare through Data Protection and Innovation
Are You Ready to Transform Information Governance?
NHS Shetland is seeking a talented and innovative Head of Information Governance who will be at the forefront of protecting and empowering the health and care information of the Shetland community.
The Opportunity
This role provides an opportunity to help shape the future of healthcare information management that puts people first.
Who We Are
NHS Shetland is the UK’s most northerly health board. We are responsible for the healthcare of a population of around 23,000. Our strategic goal is to provide easy access to high quality, sustainable and person-centred care as close to home as possible and to make a meaningful difference in building good health in our communities.
We're committed to ensuring that health and care information is:
Always Available: Enabling healthcare providers to access critical data
Always Accessible: Giving patients control over their own health information
Always Secure: Protecting data with state-of-the-art technology and processes
What we’re looking for
Our ideal candidate will be a data protection expert with experience in a healthcare setting, or similar public sector role.
Your key responsibilities:
• Lead the implementation of our 'Privacy by Design' approach
• Develop and maintain a robust information governance framework
• Ensure compliance with UK-GDPR, Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act, Public Records (Scotland) Act and relevant Scottish Government standards
• Manage and mitigate information security risks
• Work collaboratively across health and care settings
Full details of the post holder’s responsibilities are available in the Job Description attached.
Essential Skills and Experience
• Proven expertise in data protection and information governance
• Strong understanding of UK-GDPR and related legislation
• Experience in healthcare or public sector information management
• Exceptional communication and relationship building skills
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into plain language
• Innovative problem-solving approach
What We Offer
• Good terms and conditions
• Small and dedicated team within a supportive Directorate
• Senior Organisational Leadership role in transforming healthcare information management
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development
Shetland is a wonderful place to live and work. It offers low pollution, low crime, excellent schools, great leisure facilities, unique wildlife and amazing scenery, whilst still only a short flight away from the UK mainland. To find out more about living and working in Shetland go to and/or
More Than a Job
We're not just managing data – we're protecting people's most personal information and supporting their health and wellbeing. If you're passionate about making a difference, we want to hear from you.
You will be expected to comply with the Induction Standards and Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers within 3 months of commencing your role – details can be viewed on
For an informal discussion, please contact David Morgan, Head of Information Governance and Data Protection Officer: david.morgan3@nhs.scot
Closing date: 11th January 2025
Interview date: 31st January 2025
If you require assistance or encounter any technical issues with your application, please e-mail support at including the vacancy reference number and “NHS Shetland” in the subject line or by calling 0161 850 2004.
In promoting equal opportunities, we welcome applications from all sections of the community.