• To play a key role in supporting work to continuously improve information governance ensuring the maintenance of probity, good governance and the enforcement and review of policies

• To be responsible for ensuring that the organisation meets its obligations and responsibilities under Information Management legislation, particularly Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), UK GDPR and Data Protection Act (DPA) on a day to day basis

• To be responsible for the handling of complaints, in accordance with the Corporate Complaints procedure on a day to day basis

• To support the review of the divisional and strategic risk registers and that they are reported in accordance with the agreed London Councils Risk Management Framework

• To support the Corporate Governance Division generally in under-taking work to support all aspects of London Councils corporate governance framework

• To support the work to ensure effective corporate governance compliance  

• To deputise for the Head of Governance & Data Protection on corporate governance matters, when required.

Principal Accountabilities:

1.            To play a key role in supporting work to continuously improve information governance ensuring the maintenance of probity, good governance and the enforcement and review of policies.

2.            Acting as the Corporate FOI officer, co-ordinate and support responses to requests for information under Freedom of Information (and Environmental Information Regulations), ensuring that:

·         Requests for information are forwarded to appropriate Officers around the organisation;

·         Officers are aware of the requirements and timescales involved;

·         Support is provided to Officers handling the requests as required;

·         Advice is provided on legislative requirements, corporate procedures and processes;

·         Legal advice is requested where appropriate;

·         Monitoring requests to ensure deadlines are strictly adhered to;

·         Requests for internal FOI reviews are appropriately assigned and progressed;

3.         To review annually the London Councils Publication Scheme in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) model publication scheme.

4.         Acting as the Corporate Complaints Officer, periodically review the complaints procedure to ensure it remains in line with the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) best practice; co-ordinate responses to complaints in accordance with London Councils Corporate Complaints procedure including;

·           Supporting officers across the organisation to respond to complaints;

·           Assessing requests for an investigation under stage 3 of the London Councils Complaints Procedure and submitting a recommendation to a member of the Corporate Management Team (CMT) for consideration;

·           Assigning stage 3 complaints to officers for investigation in consultation with the relevant CMT member;

5.         To co-ordinate the review of the divisional and strategic risk registers and ensure that they are reported in accordance with the agreed London Councils Risk Management Framework; to periodically review the corporate Risk Management Framework including benchmarking against good practice, e.g. the latest International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO);

6.         To administer meetings of the Corporate Governance Group, which aims to provide an operational overview of risk management at London Councils, including preparing agendas and drafting minutes.

7.         To support effective corporate governance, ensuring governance policies and procedures remain up to date, undertaking research into best practice and drafting revisions as necessary, often under the direction of the Head of Governance & Data Protection.

8.       To provide briefings to directors and members, as directed.

9.       To draft reports as directed including for the Corporate Governance Group, Corporate

      Management Team and Audit Committee on areas including risk management, corporate

      governance compliance, information governance.

10.      To foster good relations with the ICO and LGSCO.

11.      Undertake projects and tasks as required to support the achievement of divisional and

      corporate priorities and objectives.

12.      To undertake planning and organising of corporate governance and information management training events and information as necessary.

13.      To provide data protection and breach training to all new starters.

14.      To deputise for the Head of Governance & Data Protection on corporate governance matters, in their absence and as appropriate.

15.      To support the division in contributing knowledge and expertise in the development of corporate initiatives and policies and to adhere to London Councils’ corporate policies, procedures, regulations and protocols.  

16.       Work with minimum supervision and balance a busy and varied workload, sometimes

            working under pressure to tight deadlines.

17.       To be prepared to work flexibly when urgent work is required.

18.       Build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, stakeholders and

     customers internally and externally to London Councils and maintain a high standard of

     customer care.

To take care at all times to uphold health and safety at work for self and others. 

To observe, adhere to and promote London Councils Equalities and Health and Safety policies.

To uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct in line with the expectations of a local government officer and to lead staff to adhere to such standards in order to uphold the reputation of London Councils and local government in London

To carry out duties in accordance with the organisation’s equal opportunities policy actively promoting equality, and preventing and overcoming disadvantage and discrimination