Information Governance Assistant

Fixed Term, Full Time

£25,081 to £27,653 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Closing Date: Wednesday 18th February 2026 at 11.59pm

Please note this vacancy is available as a Fixed Term Contract or Secondment opportunity for 18 months.

This position has been classed as an anywhere worker role but has an expectation that the successful candidate will attend the office, in Chelmsford 1 day per month, with the remaining time for remote working if desired, in line with the organisation’s needs.

To read more about our business area, please visit: Corporate Services

The Opportunity 

The role of Information Governance and Transparency is to deliver effective and high-quality information governance, data protection and sharing, records management and information rights advice, to manage and report on security incidents, undertake impact assessments, respond to complaints, and handle access to information requests. 

The Information Governance Assistant operates at the core of the council and requires good interpersonal skills. The role is important to the successful management of information governance and rights and ensuring the council remains compliant under the relevant legislation. 

The role is responsible for assisting and supporting the effective administration of the Information Governance team. They will be responsible for all administration regarding information rights requests, administrative support across the team, arranging meetings and visits with external customers and partners and raising invoices. 

Accountabilities 

• Responsible for logging, recording, requesting case files and volumizing Subject Access and other information right requests. 
• Responsible for processing all associated documentation regarding requests made by data subjects including photocopying, scanning, consents, and identification checks ensuring that processes are consistent, transparent, and legally compliant. 
• Delivers comprehensive, professional, and effective administrative support to the Information Governance Team. 
• Provides support to officers in the delivery of information rights requests and advice and information to members of the public regarding these requests. 
• Arrange meetings and visits with external customers and partners and raising invoices. 
• Undertake the processing, triaging and publication to the website of FOI and EIR requests.
• Answer routine queries and manage simple FOI and EIR responses. 
• Undertake project activities as directed. 

The Experience You Will Bring 

• Educated to GCSE standard including English and Maths a Grade ‘C’ and above or equivalent by experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in Information Governance and Transparency is desirable. 
• Good organisational skills and ability to work to tight deadlines, prioritise own work and use own initiative.
• Good interpersonal skills, particularly oral and written communications skills. 
• Good ICT skills and good working knowledge of Microsoft is essential. Knowledge and experience of MS Dynamics and Adobe Pro is desirable.
• Awareness of confidentiality and the ability to be tactful and diplomatic. 
• Ability to adapt and respond quickly to conflicting demands whilst remaining calm under pressure. 

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email daniel.warner@essex.gov.uk

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Further details can be found on our careers page.

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