Information Governance Assistant

About the role

Information Governance Assistant

Permanent, Full Time

£25,959 to £28,621 Per Annum

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Closing Date: Sunday 5th July 2026 at 11.59pm

Interview Date: Thursday 16th July 2026 at County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford, Essex. CM1 1QH.

The Role

Unlike many administrative roles, the Information Governance Assistant combines operational coordination with regulatory compliance responsibilities, providing a unique opportunity to work across a broad range of information governance disciplines. The role acts as a central hub for the Information Governance function, requiring the postholder to assess, prioritise and triage matters received through multiple channels, including data protection complaints, data subject rights requests, third-party information requests, Freedom of Information requests and low-level security incidents.

The postholder will also provide straightforward information governance advice and guidance, ensure enquiries are directed to the appropriate specialist, and coordinate the allocation of Information Governance Impact Assessments, such as Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), to the relevant Information Governance Officer. This varied role requires strong organisational skills, sound judgement, and a customer-focused approach, while playing a critical part in helping the organisation meet its legal, regulatory and governance obligations.

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.

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 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
Management of several Team email inboxes and responsibilities or allocating various Task to other Officers within the Council.
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

Previous experience of continuing professional development in Information Governance and Transparency
Educated to GCSE standard including English and Maths a Grade ‘C’ and above or equivalent by experience.
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.
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 March 2026, the Government announced that councils in Greater Essex will be reorganised into five new unitary authorities from April 2028. In addition to this, Greater Essex has been accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority. You can read more about these changes, and what this may mean for this role, 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 [email protected]

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