Head of Information Rights Unit

The Welsh Government operates name-free recruitment. The recruiting panel will not see personal information such as a candidate’s name and address during the sifting process. This policy is in line with our commitment to end bias and promote equality and diversity.

Vacancy title

Head of Information Rights Unit

15/10/2026, 16:00

Advertising basis Permanent

Salary range or pay band SEO £47,675 to £56,445

Work pattern Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)

Group Operational Effectiveness Group

Directorate Digital, Data and Technology

Branch Information Rights Unit

Location (s) Pan Wales

‘Pan Wales’ means the post holder can be based in any Welsh Government office, subject to business needs. Roles based outside Wales, including London, are not available unless explicitly stated in the advert.

A list of the Welsh Government’s offices can be found on Please note it may not always be possible to accommodate a preference for a specific office location.

The post holder’s travel from their home to their assigned Welsh Government office is considered their ‘ordinary commute’ and must be done in their own time and at their own cost.

Purpose of post

Data and Geography Division sits within Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) and plays a central role in enabling Welsh Government to use data, information and geographic evidence well. The division provides specialist leadership on data, geography, information rights, information governance and related professional standards. It works across Welsh Government and with partners to ensure that data and geographic information are managed, shared, protected and used responsibly, helping the organisation make better decisions for the people of Wales.

The role is the Head of the Welsh Government’s Information Rights Unit (IRU). The work of the unit is to ensure the Welsh Government meets its obligations and responsibilities as set out in the Information Rights and Data Protection legislation, specifically:

• The Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA)
• The UK General Data Protection Regulation 2018 (UK GDPR)
• The Data Use and Access Act 2025 (DUAA)
• The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA)
• The Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR)
• The Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 (PECR)

This role is part of the Government Knowledge and Information Management (GKIM) profession. The profession brings together specialists who support the effective management, protection and use of information across Government.

As a Data Protection Practitioner, you will apply specialist knowledge to help Welsh Government understand and meet its legal obligations, manage privacy risks and maintain public trust. The role requires practical application of data protection expertise across operational, policy and governance contexts.

Key tasks

The role requires a thorough understanding of the Acts legal obligations as they apply to the Welsh Government, ensuring they are embedded in the business. The role requires being the primary lead and contact for:

• Drafting policy and guidance on Information Rights and Data Protection legislation
• Providing timely advice and guidance on the data protection legislation as it applies to Welsh Government policy, lawmaking and security
• Providing advice and guidance to officials on the handling of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests
• Providing advice and guidance to help WG teams comply with their statutory obligations under information management legislation and the Code of Practice
• Using expert knowledge of the Data Protection Act (DPA), UK General Data Protection Regulation (GPDR), Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), Law Enforcement Directive (LED), FOI Act (FOIA) and Environment Information Regulations (EIR) to steer sensitive or difficult requests to a conclusion, and provide quality assurance on the responses
• Providing advice and guidance to officials on the handling of complaints and internal reviews
• Line management of 2x EO Caseworkers
• Providing advice, guidance and mentorship to IRU team members in their roles and caseloads, ensuring consistency and quality of output
• Keeping abreast of changes to guidance, legislation and case law and ensuring Welsh Government guidance is updated to reflect these

The role offers significant development opportunities for someone looking to deepen their expertise in information rights, data protection and information governance while working at the centre of Welsh Government. The post holder will gain experience of advising on complex and high‑profile issues, supporting Ministers and senior officials, and working across a wide range of policy and delivery areas. It also provides opportunities to develop leadership, line management, and stakeholder engagement skills within a supportive professional environment.

Other vacancy related information

• In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the assessment criterion: Technical
• A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who is successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months.
• Candidates are required to submit a CV as part of their application, CV’s should be of a maximum of 2 sides detailing your work experience and qualifications – CV’s will be scored against experience 1 and 2.
• A presentation of 5 minutes covering the technical skills will be required as part of the interview. More information will be provided in the invitations to that stage. No powerpoint.
• This post will be part of the Knowledge and Information Management (KIM) profession.
• Hybrid working arrangements reflect the current Welsh Government expectation that postholders spend at least 40% of their working time either in a physical office location or meeting face to face with external stakeholders where this supports effective delivery, relationship management and service leadership. This requirement may change in line with future organisational needs.

Vetting level

Basic

Number of posts

1

Contact point for further information regarding the post

Welsh language requirements

Welsh language requirements 3 - Welsh language skills are not essential for this opportunity; you do not need Welsh language skills to apply. However, as the Welsh Government is a bilingual organisation, Welsh language skills are desirable and will be considered if two or more candidates receive the same score at the application or interview stage.

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our AI candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection Process and Stages

Welsh Government, like all other Government Departments use Success Profiles when we recruit. For each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. It raises performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

The selection process and stages are:

• 2 stage process
• Stage 1 Application Form
• Stage 2 Interview

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these Behaviour criteria during the selection process.

Behaviour 1: Making Effective Decisions

Making Effective decisions Analyse and use a range of relevant, credible information from internal and external sources to support decisions

This will be tested at stage 1: Application Form

This will be tested at stage 2: Interview

Behaviour 2: Communicating and Influencing

Present complex or sensitive information clearly and persuasively to gain understanding and support from a range of stakeholders.

This will be tested at stage 1: Application Form

This will be tested at stage 2: Interview

Behaviour 3: Leadership

Provide clear direction, support and development to others, promoting consistent high‑quality performance and professional standards.

This will be tested at stage 2: Interview

Experience

We'll assess you against the following Experience criteria during the assessment process.

Experience 1

Managing complex and sensitive Freedom of Information and Environmental Information Regulations cases, including the application of exemptions or exceptions and public interest considerations

This will be tested at Stage 1: Application Form

This will be tested at stage 2: Interview

Experience 2

Providing authoritative advice on UK GDPR and Data Protection Act requirements, enabling organisations to manage information law risks and achieve compliant outcomes

This will be tested at Stage 1: Application Form

This will be tested at stage 2: Interview

Technical

We'll assess the following Technical skills during the selection process.

Technical 1

Detailed knowledge of Freedom of Information, Environmental Information Regulations and UK GDPR legislation, and the ability to apply legal requirements proportionately in complex operational situations

This will be tested at stage 1: Application Form

This will be tested at stage 2: Interview

Eligibility

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria your application will not progress. If it becomes clear at a later stage in the process that you are not eligible to apply, your application may be withdrawn, or the offer retracted.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Social Model of Disability

Welsh Government has adopted the social model of disability, which recognises that barriers in society act to disable people who have impairments, or health conditions, who are neurodivergent or who use British Sign Language.

We are committed to removing barriers in the recruitment process so that all (or potential new) staff can perform at their best.

Recruitment adjustments can be made at any part of the recruitment process for candidates with an impairment or health condition, who are neurodivergent or who use British Sign Language.

We are committed to inclusive recruitment and offer interviews to eligible candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the role through the following schemes:

Disability Confident

The Welsh Government is a Disability Confident Leader. As part of our commitment to this scheme we interview any candidate with an impairment, health condition, who is neurodivergent or who uses British Sign Language if they meet the minimum criteria for the post.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The Welsh Government operates the Great Place to Work for Veterans Initiative. As part of our commitment to this scheme we interview any eligible candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the post.

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service employers can offer an interview to a fair and proportionate number of civil servants who are at risk of redundancy and who meet the minimum criteria for the post

Minimum Criteria

By ‘minimum criteria’ we mean that candidates must provide us with evidence in their application (and/or test) that they meet the minimum level of competence for the role - usually defined as a minimum score of 4 per criterion.

Social Partnership

In Welsh Government, the relationship between the employer and trade unions is based on social partnership. We believe our goals can best be achieved by management and trade unions working together.

Our 3 recognised trade unions are:

• PCS
• Prospect
• FDA

This relationship is underpinned by a partnership agreement. This sets out how our unions work with Welsh Government on issues such as:

• Pay
• Terms and conditions
• HR Strategy, policies and procedures
• Health, safety and well‑being
• Organisational change

Our Welsh Government trade union colleagues work together to give their members a real say in the workplace. They make sure that the interests of their members are promoted and protected. They also help reduce inequalities and improve terms and conditions.

The Welsh Government has an excellent track record of working in partnership with its trade unions. We support you to join a recognised trade union, to ensure your voice is heard in the workplace. We encourage you to learn more about our trade unions, partnership working and to get involved in their work.

Benefits

All Welsh Government staff are members of the Civil Service, and as a result are eligible for:

• 31 days annual leave (pro‑rated for part time)
• training and development opportunities
• Cycle2Work Scheme
• Smart Working flexible working arrangement
• Green Car Scheme (subject to availability)

If you are an active Civil Service Pension member you can continue your membership throughout your employment with us.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and wish to make a complaint please email Please ensure that you refer to the vacancy reference number.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Welsh Government, you can contact the Civil Service Commission:

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