Medical Legal jobs in Edinburgh

471145

£44,297 - £49,813

Fixed term

12 months

ICO - Policy

Policy

Full-time

1

Belfast, Edinburgh

Senior Policy Officer Scottish and Northern Irish Affairs – Maternity cover fixed term contract up to 12 months

Full time / Part time

Salary: £44,297- £49,813 per annum, with potential for further progression to £56,082 with our pay progression scheme.

Location: Hybrid

Contracted to our Edinburgh or Belfast office, however, we offer flexible home and office-based working opportunities. There will be times when you will be expected to attend the office to collaborate with colleagues or travel due to business need. Please note, from Autumn 2026 our head office will relocate from Wilmslow to Manchester city centre.

Why work for the ICO?

• Pay progression scheme.
• Hybrid and flexible working options.
• 25 days paid holiday per year, plus privilege and public holidays.
• Flexi leave (up to 26 additional days leave per year).
• Pension
• Online discount scheme to save money at major supermarkets, retailers, gyms, restaurants, insurance providers and many more.
• Health Cash Plan.
• Fantastic development opportunities to learn and progress.

Further details can be found on the benefits section of our website

The Scottish and Northern Irish Affairs teams play a crucial role in ensuring the ICO delivers our statutory functions and strategic objectives in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

As the voice of the ICO in Scotland and Northern Ireland the teams engage with key external stakeholders in both jurisdictions on the important issues of the day including AI, biometrics, data sharing and children’s privacy. As the voice of Scotland and Northern Ireland within the ICO the teams provide expert internal advice on Scottish and Northern Irish legislation, policy, institutions and politics.

As a Senior Policy Officer working within both teams, you will represent the ICO in engagement with government, parliament and key stakeholders across the public sector, providing advice and guidance on data protection compliance and seeking to influence policy and practice.

You will work closely with a variety of internal colleagues to ensure that ICO objectives are met in Scotland and Northern Ireland and that products and initiatives are effective and impactful.

The role is varied and fast paced and also involves supporting legislative consultation, horizon scanning, parliamentary monitoring, providing regulatory advice and guidance, shaping key ICO guidance and products and working on cross UK regulatory projects.

You will have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and be able to develop and maintain effective relationships with external and internal stakeholders at a senior level. You will be able to draft accurate policy advice and to represent the ICO confidently and independently at external events and meetings. You will have an interest in privacy issues and an ability to deal with some of the most high profile compliance matters of the day, including those of strategic importance and major public policy initiatives. You will work closely with other teams in the department and across the wider ICO to promote our organisational objectives. In addition, the role includes providing support to the managers of the Scottish and Northern Affairs teams, deputising for them in their absence, as well as mentoring colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

• Identifying, building and maintaining the ICO’s relationship with key stakeholders in Scotland and Northern Ireland including government, parliamentarians and key public sector bodies to support the delivery of ICO objectives and priorities; influencing these at a senior level to achieve ICO objectives.
• Preparing and/or contributing to complex written work, including advice and guidance, briefing documents for senior ICO staff, codes of practice, responses to consultations and reports for senior internal and external audiences.
• Consulting with government and parliamentarians on legislative proposals and providing clear and impactful advice and guidance on privacy and data protection considerations.
• Represent the ICO at selected events, including speaking engagements and meetings with internal and external stakeholders at senior levels, leading and influencing their thinking and policy developments.
• Proactively developing legislative expertise, keeping abreast of developments in information rights legislation and regulations, as well as being conversant with other related legislation and political, social and legal developments in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
• Deputising for Scottish Affairs/ Northern Irish Affairs managers including taking on line management and mentoring responsibilities for the Lead Policy Officers and Support Officers where appropriate.
• Contributing to the ICO’s strategic planning including the directorate and department business planning.
• Contributing to internal and external research, including leading elements of that research when appropriate.
• Undertaking any other duties required to assist with the effective operation of the department.

Essential criteria assessed at application stage:

• Substantial work experience of working in a policy role
• Experience of influencing policy and practice.
• Experience of analysing and interpreting complex legislation.
• Experience of applying the Data Protection or Freedom of Information Acts.
• An understanding of the democratic, political and organisational framework of Scotland and/or Northern Ireland and its interaction with UK central government .

Essential criteria assessed during interview:

• Good judgement and ability to take high profile decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present authoritatively and clearly in public.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate and maintain good relationships with officials.
• Ability to work on own initiative and as a member of a team.
• Ability to work under pressure, to deal with a demanding workload and to prioritise accordingly.
• Willingness to travel to meetings and events in the UK and occasionally overseas (possibly outside office hours).

Please visit ico.jobs for full details, including salary and benefits.

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 candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Job contact :

• Name : recruitment@ico.org.uk
• Email : recruitment@ico.org.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ico.org.uk