Offender Subject Access (SAR) Request Team - Vetting Officer
Job description
About the Department
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is one of the largest government departments, employing around 70,000 people (including those in the Probation Service), with a budget of approximately £9 billion. Each year, millions of people use our services across the UK - including at 500 courts and tribunals, and 133 prisons in England and Wales.
What we do
We work to protect the public and reduce reoffending, and to provide a more effective, transparent, and responsive criminal justice system for victims and the public. We are also responsible for the following parts of the justice system:
Courts
Prisons
Probation services
Attendance centres.
We also work in partnership with other government departments and agencies to reform the criminal justice system, to serve the public and support the victims of crime. We are also responsible for making new laws, strengthening democracy, and safeguarding human rights.
New entrants to the Civil Service will be expected to join on the minimum of the pay range. Existing Civil Servants will have their salary calculated in accordance with the Department’s pay on transfer/pay on promotion rules.
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.
Background
The Offender Subject Access Request team sits within the MoJ’s Security, Services and Information Governance Group Directorate, which has a broad range of responsibilities including corporate communications through to information management and records compliance. As part of the Directorate’s Information Services Division, our aim is to ensure the MoJ holds information in compliance with legislation, that all information is correctly stored, accessible, and shared appropriately, and our information is protected, and the risks managed. We believe that knowing what information and records we have and having the right information available at the right time by those who need it or request it, is at the heart of an excellent justice system.
The Offender SAR team manage and process over 6,000 Subject Access Requests (SARs) on behalf of the MoJ per annum.
Role Purpose
You will be joining an established team that provides a dedicated and expert function in processing offender SARs. We ensure that offenders are supported through their sentence and rehabilitation by having access to the right information at the right time, by responding to requests in full and within statutory timescales.
The successful candidate will become a Vetting Officer within the vetting team that is responsible for reviewing offender information and determining what information can be disclosed in line with the Data Protection Act (2018). This role is a vital part of the Offender SAR function.
The role involves viewing sensitive offender information that contains details of offences which can be of an explicit nature. Due to the volume and complexity of the information you’ll be handling, careful attention to detail is a must. You will be required to have strong English reading and comprehension skills.
Main Activities / Responsibilities
The job holder will be required to undertake the following duties and responsibilities:
Process personal information requested in a SAR and determine what information can be disclosed in line with the DPA.
Reading large volumes of sensitive information mainly in digital format as well as occasional hard copy, this needs to be done with care and accuracy.
Applying redactions to offender information in line with the DPA exemptions.
Using computer systems to accurately record your decisions.
Occasional ad hoc office duties, including some light manual handling (site specific)
You will demonstrate and encourage behaviours which support the MoJ and Civil Service values.
Essential Skills and Experience
The ability to handle highly sensitive and explicit personal data with the utmost discretion, confidentiality, and professionalism.
Proven capability to manage workloads effectively, prioritising tasks to meet stringent deadlines while maintaining high standards of quality.
Attention to detail and accuracy in the review, recording, and maintenance of information.
Ability to work independently, exercising sound judgment and initiative.
A commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Teams, Outlook, and Adobe software.
Excellent command of the English language, with strong reading comprehension and written communication skills.
Desirable Experience
Working knowledge of the DPA and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Experience of handing confidential information with sensitivity, professionalism and integrity
Experience of working in or with HMPPS
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Application
Behaviours
Making Effective Decisions
Managing a Quality Service
Delivering at Pace
Sift
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a 500 -word personal statement demonstrating how you meet the essential skills and experience for the role.
Interview
If you are invited to interview, Strengths and Behaviours will be tested.
The following Behaviours will be assessed at interview.
Making Effective Decisions
Managing a Quality Service
Delivering at Pace
Use of artificial intelligence
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.