Annex B
Job description, person specification and terms
for the role of Information Commissioner
(As formulated for the selection process undertaken
by the Ministry of Justice)
Job Description
The Information Commissioner is responsible for:
- the fulfilment of all the statutory
responsibilities conferred upon the Commissioner
- providing leadership and strategic direction
for the Commissioner's office
- building and maintaining excellent personal and
organisational relationships with key stakeholders, including
Ministers, Parliament, the media, public interest groups, business
and international equivalents
- contributing to debates on the development of
policy, nationally and internationally, on data protection and
freedom of information issues, and
- acting as Accounting Officer for the Commissioner's
office.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
This is a demanding, politically sensitive and high
profile post. The successful candidate must demonstrate the following:
Leadership
- Successful track record of
credible and strategic leadership
- Substantial record of management, ideally within
a statutory framework
- Sound and strong financial and performance management
skills
- Ability to work with others to achieve change
smoothly and effectively
Communication
- Evidence of the ability to
influence effectively with staff, colleagues, stakeholders and
across the public and private sectors
- Track record of excellent public speaking and
media relations.
Intellect
- Intellectual capability to
move easily between significant detail and the bigger picture
- Demonstrated ability to influence policy
- Breadth of strategic vision
Judgement
- Evidence of independence and
impartiality gained at board-level or equivalent
- Excellent judgement, including the ability to
identify and manage risk
Experience and Personal Qualities
- Evidence of operating successfully
in a legal or quasi-legal environment
- Evidence of demonstrating resilience and adaptability
in taking on challenges in a complex environment
- Demonstrated ability to make personal impact
and achieve personal credibility
- Flexibility, adaptability and resilience under
pressure
Desirable Criteria
- An awareness of and interest
in information issues
- An interest in developments in information technology
- An understanding of Whitehall and the wider public
sector
- An understanding of the key legislation
- Ability to master the requirements of central
government financial and staff management policies and protocols
- Legal qualification and experience
Terms of Appointment
Location
The Information Commissioner and most of his staff
are based in Wilmslow, Cheshire, with small satellite offices
in Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and London. The location of the
main office is currently under review and the new Commissioner
will need to determine, in consultation with the Ministry of Justice,
whether it will be in the best interests of the office to relocate.
Though based in Wilmslow, the role of the Information
Commissioner requires frequent travel around the UK and abroad.
The organisation of the Information Commissioner's
office is a matter for the Commissioner, but a Management Board,
which includes non-executive Directors and an Executive team,
assist the current Commissioner. The Commissioner works with the
Management Board to set priorities and ensure their achievement
and leads the Executive team to ensure that the office is run
as a modern effective, efficient, influential and responsible
organisation.
Remuneration/benefits
The remuneration to be offered for this full-time
post is £140,000 per annum. The post is pensionable.
Length of the appointment
The appointment will be for a five year term.
|
