Information Access Officer

Your new company
My client is a regulatory body whose head office is based in Manchester. They uphold excellence and integrity as the leading regulatory authority for healthcare professions, ensuring the highest standard of practice and patient care.
Your new role
As an Information Access Officer, you will manage a varied caseload of information requests, including Subject Access Requests (SARs) under UK data protection legislation, Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) requests, and other statutory and non-statutory information requests. Working both independently and in collaboration with colleagues across the organisation, you will source, collate, organise and assess material for disclosure, applying the relevant legislation and internal policy.
You'll produce clear, accurate, and legally compliant responses, handle related enquiries from requesters and colleagues in a professional manner, and ensure that statutory deadlines and service levels are consistently met.
Key Responsibilities

Manage end-to-end caseloads of SARs, FOIA, Environmental Information and other information requests, ensuring compliance with statutory timelines and internal SLAs.
Identify, gather, and assess information from multiple systems and teams; organise electronic bundles and redact materials as required.
Apply relevant legislation (e.g., UK GDPR/Data Protection Act 2018, FOIA 2000) and internal policy to determine disclosure, partial disclosure, or withholding, documenting clear rationales.
Draft and issue high-quality responses, tailored to different audiences, including the application and explanation of exemptions/exceptions and public interest tests where relevant.
Conduct comprehensive reviews of large volumes of digital and occasional hard-copy information; maintain meticulous records, audit trails, and case notes.
Liaise proactively with requesters, colleagues, and stakeholders to clarify scope, manage expectations, and resolve queries professionally.
Escalate complex and sensitive matters appropriately, seeking legal, information security, or data protection advice as needed.
Contribute to continuous improvement, including refining processes, templates, guidance, and training for colleagues.
Support reporting and metrics on caseloads, performance, and compliance.
Uphold confidentiality, data protection, and information security standards at all times.Essential Skills & Experience

Proven knowledge and hands-on experience managing Subject Access Requests under UK data protection legislation and FOIA requests.
Ability to manage a varied caseload, prioritising effectively to meet statutory deadlines and SLAs.
Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to navigate and utilise organisational systems to identify relevant information and produce high-quality responses.
Demonstrated ability to conduct detailed, comprehensive reviews of large data sets across systems (and occasionally in hard copy), identifying and assessing material for disclosure and managing electronic collation and organisation.
Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail in handling and responding to requests.
Excellent written and verbal communication, presenting complex information clearly, precisely, and appropriately for different audiences while ensuring legal compliance.
Sound judgement and initiative in progressing cases, making disclosure decisions, and applying exemptions appropriately.
Proven ability to build effective working relationships with team members and colleagues across the organisation.
A strong customer service ethos, ensuring positive, responsive, and professional engagement with internal and external customers.
Ability to recognise and manage heightened confidentiality requirements, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
Hybrid - 1 day per week on site in central Manchester
£17.04phr + holiday pay
1-3 Months initially
Immediate start

What you need to do now

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