Lead Freedom of Information Officer

About the role

Interviews for this post will take place on 17th & 18th September

Here at NHS Lanarkshire, we put the patient at the heart of everything we do. Each colleague within the organisation plays a key role in how we deliver our healthcare services. We proudly serve a population of 655,000 across rural and urban communities in both North and South Lanarkshire. NHS Lanarkshire is comprised of Acute Services (which currently provide hospital based services over 3 main sites), Corporate & Property & Support Services, North and South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnerships which provide integrated primary healthcare and social care services to local communities and surrounding areas.

Responsibilities

• Manage written requests for information received by NHS Lanarkshire under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, ensuring requests are logged, progressed, co-ordinated and responded to within statutory timescales.
• Provide advice and assistance to applicants, including helping applicants clarify the information sought and supporting people with communication difficulties to make a valid request.
• Identify appropriate information sources across NHS Lanarkshire and works with colleagues to gather, review and collate information so that responses are clear, accurate, accessible and provided in the requested format where appropriate.
• Provide specialist advice to staff and senior managers on the application of FOI legislation, including statutory duties, timescales, exemptions, public interest considerations and links with Data Protection requirements where requests involve personal information.
• Lead on the responsible and effective use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to support the delivery of Freedom of Information (FOI) services. Exploring opportunities to improve efficiency and consistency in processes such as document review, redaction and drafting responses.
• Represents NHS Lanarkshire in relevant FOI networks and liaises with the Scottish Information Commissioner and other external bodies as required.
• Maintains the FOI case management, tracking and archive arrangements to support accurate recording, monitoring, reporting, audit and organisational learning.
• Produces regular reports and analysis on FOI activity, themes, compliance and emerging issues to support service improvement and assurance.

Requirements

• Degree level education or equivalent knowledge gained through relevant training and practical experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to information governance, communications, administration, public sector governance or related areas.
• Evidence of knowledge of the Scottish legal system, including the public sector context in Scotland and the role of the Scottish Parliament.
• Understanding of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, Data Protection legislation, patient confidentiality and related information governance requirements.

Benefits

• Annual Leave - 35 days including public holidays
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Annual incremental salary progression
• Paid sick leave increasing with length of service
• NHS discounts and more