Governance & Compliance Officer

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A 24 MONTH FIXED TERM CONTRACT

The Governance & Compliance Officer role, with particular knowledge, skills, and experience in Freedom of Information (FOI), will be responsible for information and records management, wider governance and compliance requirements, and guiding the development and implementation of FOI, Environmental Information Requests (EIR) and INSPIRE policy and procedures with the Governance and Compliance team.

The Governance and Compliance Officer will also support the development and implementation of a compliance framework for Zero Waste Scotland, making appropriate enquiries across the organisation to assure compliance with statutory and regulatory duties, and encourage best practice in a variety of disciplines across the organisation.

We anticipate that interviews will take place in early October 2024.

We want you if;

You have the following: 

• Knowledge, understanding and experience of FOI, EIR and INSPIRE regulations and their application to non-department public bodies.
• Experience of governance, compliance and information and records management with an understanding of best practice in these areas.
• Experience of responding to requests for information from the public and others.
• Experience of using CRM software, ideally Microsoft Dynamics.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Experience drafting official organisational documents, policies and procedures.
• Excellent understanding of information and knowledge resources, databases and associated technology.
• Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately across organisational and professional boundaries.
• Ability to positively promote compliance and be a compliance and information champion.
• Experience in negotiating, influencing and building constructive relationships with stakeholders.
• Experience in dealing with members of the public to constructively resolve their enquiries.
• Excellent attention to detail, organisational skills and the ability to work to timescales.
• Ability to maintain exemplary levels of confidentiality and discretion in the handling of sensitive data and information.
• Ability to organise and prioritise own workload, to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

What you'll be doing;

Freedom of Information

• Respond to requests: receive, acknowledge, record, process, and respond to all FOI, EIR and INSPIRE requests that are received by Zero Waste Scotland to meet internal, external, and process and legislative compliance requirements.
• Act as key internal liaison with request applicants, colleagues, relevant information asset owner(s) and other third parties to obtain answers to requests within response timescales
• Identify and advise colleagues and senior managers of any exemptions or exceptions which may apply to information requested for release, make recommendations for any potential redactions and conduct public interest tests in relation to any qualified exemptions.
• Ensure publications and/or outputs are compliant with guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and best practice and liaise with ICO as required.
• Maintain and regularly update the Model Publication Scheme.
• Produce regular reporting for appropriate committees and boards on compliance and performance in relation to the Freedom of Information Act and other provisions.
• Investigate and respond to reviews and complaints related to information disclosure, liaising with the ICO and other stakeholders, partners and parties as required.
• Act as key advisor to colleagues and senior managers on the implementation of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004, INSPIRE (Scotland) Regulations 2009 and other policies and procedures
• Provide staff training related to FOI, EIR, and INSPIRE, where required, including the production of appropriate materials and content, and delivering presentations and awareness sessions.
• Maintain knowledge and skills in FOI, EIR, INSPIRE, recent ICO guidance, exemptions and decisions, advising colleagues as relevant.

Governance and Compliance

• Ensure that GDPR is embedded in the organisation, appropriate controls are in place, and all requirements are met to support the Data Protection Officer
• Manage the organisation’s data protection software, including leading and training the organisation’s data champions to deliver their roles effectively and maintain relationships with external GDPR experts.
• Monitor compliance against all relevant statutory and funder information requirements
• Ensure appropriate legal agreements are in place to minimise risk to the organisation
• Enhance the risk management processes of the organisation, including corporate risk monitoring, risk registers, and risk assessments.
• Support the development of a compliance framework and annual plan.
• Improve, monitor, and report on processes and results, including FOI and other data and information management requirements, where required.
• Review, recommend, and implement any required updates, amendments, or changes to relevant policies, procedures and associated guidance.
• Develop effective working relationships with relevant colleagues across Zero Waste Scotland and in other organisations to promote compliance and the sharing of knowledge and best practice.
• Collaborate with colleagues to promote transparency and accountability across the organisation.
• Actively support the requirements for, and outcomes and actions of, the Audit & Risk Committee
• Actively support performance management tools with the Governance & Compliance Team to make sure targets are met or exceeded
• Maintain skills in risk, compliance and governance by way of regular professional development.

Information and Records Management

• Act as a key advisor for documentation, guidance and support across the organisation on all aspects of data, information and knowledge management and legislative requirements
• Collaborating with Governance and Compliance and wider colleagues to ensure that we meet our statutory duties associated with Non-Departmental Public Body status and that we gather, manage, store, analyse and report on information in ways which are secure, accessible, and fit for purpose to meet internal, external and legislative requirements.
• Partner with staff and Directorates as required to support the development, adoption, review and amendment of appropriate systems, frameworks, policies, procedures and standards that will support improvements in information management, partner relationships, regulatory requirements and continuous improvement across the organisation.
• Partner with staff to provide ongoing help, guidance and advice to ensure they manage their information correctly.
• Any other reasonable duties, as required.

About Zero Waste Scotland

Zero Waste Scotland is Scotland’s circular economy expert. We are an Executive NDPB funded by the Scottish Government. We exist to lead Scotland to use products and resources more responsibly, focusing on where we can have the greatest effect on reducing climate change together through responsible consumption, responsible production and maximising value through waste. Using evidence and insight, our goal is to inform policy and motivate individuals and businesses to embrace the environmental, economic, and social benefits of a circular economy.