Role Purpose

The Information Governance Officer is responsible for providing advice and support to ensure that GTC Scotland respects information rights and manages the information it holds in line with legislative requirements and best practice.  

Role Specific Responsibilities

• Apply specialist professional knowledge and expertise to manage an information request caseload (including review requests and covering freedom of information as well as data protection), liaising with colleagues and Council members to respond appropriately in line with statutory timescales and to ensure compliance with all aspects of the relevant legislation.  This will include supporting the Customer and Business Support team to respond to more straightforward information requests and ensuring processes are developed for this appropriately.

• Develop, implement and embed information governance policies, procedures and controls across GTC Scotland to ensure compliance with the relevant legislation and achieve best practice.

• Provide information governance and compliance advice, guidance and training to employees as well as Council and Panel members and respond to stakeholder/external requests for advice, including on privacy notices.

• Ensure all GTC Scotland data protection incidents are appropriately reported, monitored, investigated and mitigated.

• Put in place and maintain appropriate GTC Scotland data sharing agreements and arrangements, ensuring these are recorded through a register and are adhered to and reflected in practice. 

• Manage the production and maintenance of publication schemes and publication of other information based on topical/frequent requests.

• Conduct analysis and interpretation of information request statistics and data incidents to report internally, highlighting information risks and identifying areas for improvement.

• Liaise with the Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner (OSIC) and the UK Information Commissioner’s Officer (ICO) on GTC Scotland’s behalf as required, including to report data breaches and on applications made to them about GTC Scotland.

• Carry out the role of GTC Scotland Records Manager in line with the Public Records (Scotland) Act which in addition to the above will specifically involve:

  • Ensuring that GTC Scotland records are arranged according to an appropriate best practice methodology;

  • Developing and maintaining the GTC Scotland Records Management and Retention Schedule;

  • Auditing the quality of record keeping and ensuring consistency of approach across GTC Scotland; and

  • Advising on historical preservation of our records.

• Perform other duties that may be reasonably required within the scope of your role as assigned to you. 

Responsibilities of All GTC Scotland Employees

• Commit to GTC Scotland’s values and principles

• Understand that our communities improve through the provision of strong and effective education, and you have a role in helping that happen

• Take ownership and responsibility through your work

• Be self-aware, understanding your own strengths and areas for development

• Be a restless learner, seeking opportunities for your own growth

• Deliver work effectively to ensure impact

• Work collaboratively to share and develop expertise

• Ask for help when you need it

• Be flexible and adaptive to meet our needs and those of our registrants

• Actively find and develop solutions to issues

 Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• You have a degree or equivalent qualification (SCQF Level 9)  

• An industry or post graduate qualification in information governance 

• Evidence of ongoing professional learning

• You have a keen interest in, and a deep specialist knowledge and understanding of current Freedom of Information and Data Protection laws alongside the other law / regulation applicable to the management of information 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential

• Evidenced experience of working in the information governance and compliance sector

• Experience of involvement in policy and process development

• Deep, evidenced specialist knowledge and understanding of current Freedom of Information and Data Protection laws alongside the other law/ regulation applicable to the management of information

• Evidenced experience in building and maintaining effective working partnerships with internal and external users and partners

• High quality written skills

• High quality research and analytical skills

• Excellent digital literacy including competency with Microsoft 365 applications (including Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Dynamics)

• An understanding of the political, educational and wider context and the impact for GTC Scotland

• Ability to maintain absolute confidentiality

Desirable

• Experience working for or with a regulatory body or charity

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Excellent communication

• Self-directed, excellent planner and organiser

Special Conditions

Desirable

• Membership of a relevant professional body

Additional Information

Who we are:

We are the General Teaching Council for Scotland. We register and regulate the teaching profession as a safeguard for the quality of education in Scotland. We work to maintain and enhance trust in teaching.  We are a statutory body meaning our role is set out in law - we are independent of government.

Why work for us?

• Make a difference to the quality of learning and teaching for children , young people and adult learners in Scotland. 

• Flexible working is our default and is open to all. You will have flexibility over when and where you work, depending on the requirements of the role. Most of our people choose to primarily work from home but office space is available if preferred. You will be expected to travel to our office in Edinburgh to attend collaborative events and as the role requires. Please talk to us about your individual flexibility preferences.

•  Learning is one of our core principles. We will support your learning and development to help you perform at your best in your role and to develop your future career.

• Annual leave entitlement is a generous 42 days.

•  Local Government Pension Scheme is open to all employees.

 Our Values

• Trust and Respect - All of us are equally important. We seek out and listen to others’ views. We support each other and build positive working relationships.

•  Integrity – We do what we say we will. We deliver on our plans and effectively communicate with others. We are committed to continually learning and improving.

•  Social Justice – We embrace diversity. We understand the importance of positive wellbeing and seek to support each other and our registrants. We want you to feel like you belong.