Information Governance & Disclosure Officer - CMB2794e

Job Title: Information Governance and Disclosure Officer

Salary: £42,123 to £43,149 per annum

Hours: 37 hours per week

Location: Carlisle or Workington

Contract: Permanent

About This Opportunity

Are you passionate about transparency, data protection, and helping public services operate with trust and integrity? We’re looking for an experienced Information Governance & Disclosure Officer to support our statutory obligations and strengthen our approach to information rights across the Council.

This is a key role within our Information Governance team—ensuring the Council manages and responds to information requests efficiently, ethically, and in full compliance with legislation including the Freedom of Information Act (FOI), Environmental Information Regulations (EIR), and the Data Protection Act (DPA) and UK GDPR.

About The Role

As our Information Governance & Disclosure Officer, you will

• Provide expert advice and guidance to senior managers, elected members, and members of the public on information governance issues.
• Review responses to statutory information requests, applying appropriate exemptions, redactions, and legal considerations.
• Act as a primary point of contact for public, police, and external information requests, including cases where information may be withheld.
• Lead the development and maintenance of information governance policies, training, and corporate learning to support continuous improvement.
• Drive forward a proactive “publication and transparency” approach, ensuring the Council publishes high quality, timely information in line with our publication scheme.
• Review data breach reports, assess risks, recommend containment actions, and produce incident documentation.
• Support and deputise for the Data Protection Officer and Information Governance Manager when required.

About You

We’re looking for someone who

• Has strong knowledge of FOI, EIR, DPA, UK GDPR and wider information legislation.
• Is confident analysing complex information and applying legal exemptions.
• Communicates clearly and professionally with a wide range of audiences.
• Can manage sensitive and confidential information responsibly.
• Works well under pressure, with excellent attention to detail.
• Enjoys improving systems, processes, and training to strengthen organisational compliance.

Experience in a similar information governance, data protection, or disclosure-related role is desirable—but we welcome candidates with transferable skills and a commitment to learning.

This role is available on a permanent basis.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for individuals who embody our organisation's core values: ambitious, collaborative, compassionate, empowering, and innovative. We believe in the power of these values to drive positive change, deliver excellent public services and shape a better future for our communities.

We’re also about potential over perfection and we can help you grow in the role and thrive in your career.

Be sure to take a look at the post specification (below) for the essential criteria for this role.

Contact

For more information about the role or to arrange an informal chat prior to your application, please contact Sarah Pearce by email at sarah.pearce@cumberland.gov.uk

Guaranteed Interviews

We offer a guaranteed interview to the following applicantsas long as your application can demonstrate you meet the essential criteria for the role.

• Those who consider themselves disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010
• Those in care or who have left care and are aged 24 and under
• Those who identify as a member of the British Armed Forces community (service leavers, veterans, their partners or spouses, reservists, cadets).

If you meet one or more of the criteria above, and wish to be considered for this scheme, select 'yes' to the appropriate question during your application. Find out more.

Diversity, Inclusion & Adjustments

We’re dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. That’s why we’re a proud Disability Confident Leader and also an Age Friendly Employer – to provide opportunities for everyone to thrive.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please let either the hiring manager or our Resourcing Team know by emailingResourcing@Cumberland.gov.uk. While adjustments aren’t always guaranteed, we’ll always listen and we’ll try our best to accommodate your needs.

Application and Interview information

Easily apply by submitting your CV and answering a few short questions

• Closing date: 20/11/2026
• Interview date:15/12/2026 – In person at Allerdale House, Workington

If you experience any difficulties logging in to apply for this role, please contact the HR Systems team at HR.Systems@cumbria.gov.uk.

Please note this role may close early subject to demand. If you’re interested in applying, you should apply well before the advised closing date. We cannot accept applications once the role has closed.

Please Read The Supporting Information

• Post Specification

Please also refer to our Careers site to find out more:

• Our Staff Benefits
• Candidate Support
• About Cumberland Council