Senior Information Lawyer

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Senior Information Lawyer is a key member of the Information Law team, reporting into the Head of Information Law. The role holder will work collaboratively with colleagues in the Domain and across the wider Legal Team and NHS Englands various Directorates and Regions as required. This is an exciting, fast paced role so the role holder will need keen prioritisation skills, resilience, the ability to deal with ambiguity and have excellent communication skills. They will need to rapidly build and maintain good relationships with colleagues at all levels and provide legally sound, pragmatic, solutions focused advice within the context of NHSEs wider duties and functions as a public body.

As a Senior Information Law Solicitor you will be responsible for:

• Supporting and deputising for the Head of Information Law in theoperationof the Information Governance Domain, including supervising more junior information lawyers and paralegals, instructing and managing relationships with external law firms.
• Delivering timely, practical, and solutions-focused legal advice on a variety of complex data driven services including advising on:

• • new technologies, data processing and analytical methods; machine learning and big data initiatives; and privacy by design;
  • key data protection compliance documentation including Data Protection Impact Assessments and Privacy Notices. You will also advise NHS England on compliance with statutory information requests, including the application of exemptions and may carry out and advise on internal reviews of our handling of information requests;
  • personal data breaches, including reporting and notification and advise on complaints and investigations by the Information Commissioners Office, including drafting written responses and submissions where appropriate;
  • general privacy related complaints and legal claims and proceedings as they relate to data protection, confidentiality, privacy, and freedom of information.

In addition to the provision of legal advice the role holder will be involved in a variety of activities to assist with the work of the Information Governance Domain and the wider Legal Team more generally, including supporting:

• the training and development of others, including the production of know-how articles, research papers and senior management briefings.
• the Head of Information Law in the management of the Domain including in the management of key relationships within NHS England and external stakeholders;
• professional support and supervision for more junior lawyers in the Domain;
• supporting team operations and complying with key processes and procedures;
• delivery of all necessary business and reporting returns;
• supporting organisational change and uptake of initiatives that support excellence in legal practice;
• implementation of systems to ensure information is properly managed and best practice is shared across the Domain and wider team; and
• ensuring best value and managing quality of external support services

The NHS is committed to building an inclusive personal, fair and diverse health and care system and a workplace where belonging, equity, diversity and inclusion are treasured. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Please see the job description for more information.

You can find further details about the job, organisational structure, recruitment profile, expected outcomes and benefits information in the attached Job Description and other supporting documents.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with extensive relevant post-qualification experience, legally qualified to practice Law in England and Wales

Experience

Essential

• In depth expert knowledge acquired over a significant period of time in relevant area of legal practice (information law) with significant relevant experience of providing information law advice in a healthcare/public body context and including UK Data Protection Laws, Common-law duty of confidence and Freedom of Information laws.

Desirable

• Wider subject matter expertise across a number of key areas relating to healthcare and public law

Experience

Essential

• Significant relevant experience of providing information law advice in a complex information technology and data driven context.

Desirable

• Extensive experience of providing legal services at a senior level to NHS or other public bodies at a senior level

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

NHS England

Address

London or Leeds

Leeds

LS2 7UE

Employer's website

https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/working-for/ (Opens in a new tab)