AMS PSR

On behalf of The Department for Transport (DVSA), we are looking for a Senior Data Protection Adviser (Inside IR35) for a 6month contract based Hybrid 3 days per week in Nottingham or Newcastle (with flexibility across DVSA hubs).

Role Purpose:

To advise DVSA on compliance with privacy legislation, particularly the Data Protection Act (DPA), ensuring relevant policies and procedures are in place and implemented. The role involves managing potential compliance failures, raising staff awareness of the DPA and related legislation, and promoting best practice in the handling and use of personal data across DVSA.

As a Senior Data Protection Adviser your main responsibilities will include:

• Policy Leadership: Lead DVSA’s compliance with the Data Protection Act (DPA), providing expert advice and maintaining up-to-date policies aligned with legislative changes.
• Cross-Government Engagement: Represent DVSA in data protection matters across DfT and other agencies, ensuring consistent implementation of agreed approaches.
• Training & Awareness: Develop and deliver staff training on data protection as part of the Information Assurance programme, promoting best practice across service lines.
• Audit & Compliance Assurance: Conduct audits of DVSA and delivery partners to ensure proper data handling, develop action plans, and monitor corrective actions.
• DPIA Management: Oversee the DPIA process—screening, risk assessment, compliance checks—and support authors in mitigating risks effectively.
• Data Sharing Oversight: Lead creation and maintenance of Data Processor Agreements and ensure robust data sharing processes and records are in place.
• Incident Response: Advise and manage personal data incidents, liaising with the ICO and DfT to ensure appropriate reporting and recovery.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Act as a role model, plan team resources, and collaborate across DVSA functions to uphold Civil Service values and drive high performance.

Essential:

• High quality communication and drafting skills.
• Proven Ability to negotiate with senior staff and stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of data protection legislation and ability to interpret it.
• Experience working in a data protection environment with knowledge of data protection administration and GDPR training.
• Considerable experience completing DPIAs or providing data protection advice and guidance to specialists.
• Experience engaging with internal and external stakeholders, with the ability to translate complex data protection concepts into clear, accessible language.

Qualifications:

• Data Protection Foundation / Practitioner certification (essential) or equivalent
• Freedom of Information Practitioner certification (desirable)

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, DfT guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

DfT guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".