FOI Manager

The Domesday Book. Shakespeare’s will. Tweets from Downing Street. War time records. These are just some of the 11 million items held by The National Archives. With a collection like this – the largest in the world – it’s no surprise that we handle over five percent of all Freedom of Information (FOI) requests received by the Government. As FOI Manager, you’ll have a great opportunity to work with closed historical records. You’ll ensure decisions regarding their access are efficiently and appropriately managed to keep operations running smoothly. Join us and you’ll work in an organisation that offers great support and exceptional benefits.

About the role

The majority of the FOI requests we receive are for closed historical information. Your key responsibilities will involve ensuring we comply with legal obligations set by FOI, EIR and DPA Acts. This includes managing FOI casework and FOI staff Assessors & Researchers – who undertake the bulk of review work. As well as managing the FOI caseload, you’ll be a source of expertise, guiding the Head of Centre and giving advice on difficult cases. As part of the FOI Management team, you’ll be responsible for deciding our legal position on appeals and tribunals. This means working closely with senior figures from The National Archives managers to information rights units across government. At the same time, you’ll promote FOI knowledge across the organisation. You’ll give updates on guidelines, consider feedback and shape future operations.

About you

To join us, you should have relevant practical experience in the FOI field with good knowledge of FOI and Data Protection Acts OR significant relevant experience involving researching, analysing and summarising complex information.  Ideally this will be supported by an Information Rights qualification. It is equally important that you have the ability to prioritise workload according to tight deadlines and have judgment to make key FOI and access decisions, together with the confidence to defend them.  Strong communication skills are essential – especially as you’ll be influencing senior figures and explaining points of law in detail. You’ll need to inspire a dedicated team to meet deadlines and perform. If you’re an experienced leader, ideally with FOI knowledge, we’d like to hear from you.

Join us here in beautiful Kew, and you can expect an excellent range of benefits. They include a pension and flexible working, as well as discounts with local businesses (e.g. beauty salons and bars). We also offer wellbeing resources (e.g. on-site therapists) and have an on-site gym, restaurant, shop and staff bar.

This is a full time post. However, requests for part-time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department.

A combination of onsite and home working is available and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site.

We would particularly like to encourage applicants from backgrounds currently underrepresented in archives, including those who identify as Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT+), from Black, Asian and minority ethnic cultural backgrounds, those who are neurodivergent, and those with hidden or visible disabilities.

How to apply:

To submit your application please click the ‘Apply now’ button on this page. You will be asked to complete a CV section and write a personal statement. In your personal statement please explain, using examples, how you meet the essential criteria below. You may draw on knowledge, skills, abilities, experience gained from paid work, domestic responsibilities, education, leisure interests and voluntary activities. Please note selection for interview will largely be based on the information you provide in this section so please make full use of the 1250 word count.

SC-level Security Clearance or willingness to obtain SC clearance is mandatory for this role and requires that you have lived in the UK for the last 3 years. The length of required residency may depend on individual circumstances.

Essential criteria:

• Delivering at Pace – Experience of mentoring, motivating or managing staff who work under pressure to meet tight deadlines to deliver agreed goals and objectives
• Managing a Quality Service – Ability to prioritise and balance managing own workload, deadlines, alongside providing support to a wider team
• Communicating and Influencing – Excellent standard of communication, both written and verbal; ability to manage and engage with staff and stakeholders to clarify goals and activities; evidence of highly developed drafting skills and ability to write persuasively, for different audiences
• Working Together – Experience of establishing relationships with a range of stakeholders to support delivery of objectives; ability to negotiate to achieve outcomes at a senior level, both internally and externally
• Making Effective Decisions – Confidence to use judgment and knowledge to make difficult decisions and defend them
• Demonstrable knowledge of information rights legislation including the Public Records Act 1958 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000; OR significant relevant experience, demonstrating the ability to carry out research into information and records, analyse contents and summarise findings clearly and concisely

Desirable criteria:

• Qualification in information rights legislation
• Experience of managing staff in an operational or casework environment
• Experience of delivering practical training, targeted guidance and advice to a wide audience of differing needs

Any move to The National Archives from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk;

Job contact :

• Name : The Recruitment Team
• Email : careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk
• Telephone : 02039855979

Recruitment team

• Email : careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk