DFTO FOI Manager Regions- Legal- Expressions of Interest

** Expressions of Interest **

We are about to embark on a recruitment campaign across the DFTO Legal and Compliance Directorate and welcome any expressions of interest in the opportunities. We will be looking to recruit an experienced FOI Manager.

DFTO FOI Manager (Regions) Legal Expressions of Interest

About DFT Operator

DfT Operator Ltd (DFTO) is the public sector owning group behind four key train operators: LNER Northern Southeastern and TransPennine Express. Were here to make your rail journeys smoother safer and more reliable. Since taking on LNER in 2018 weve focused on delivering better train services enhancing customer experiences and boosting performance across the network. Today DFTO helps 270 million passenger journeys happen each year with a team of nearly 17000 dedicated colleagues. We now manage 25 of Britains railway and are committed to shaping the future of train travel to better serve passengers.

We work closely with the DfT but operate independently with our own governance and leadership teams. Our priority is ensuring efficient dependable rail services for everyone.

Primary Purpose of Job:

Managing stakeholder relationships with a group of Train Operating Companies (TOCs) to support and guide them through the Freedom of Information process. Processing and responding to complex and legally challenging information access requests internal reviews and further appeals in line with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR).

Vacancy Details

Duration:Permanent
Location:Hybrid/ London Waterloo Travel across network also
Salary: up to 50000K depending on experince in current role
Closing date:11 April 2025

Some of our great benefits:

Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered.

Annual Leave 25 days

Opportunities to learn across the wider industry

10 pension contribution

Plus more.

About the Role

Key Accountabilities

1. Providing first line support for a group of TOCs on all matters relating to FOI. Meeting with TOC leadership/communications teams periodically to discuss any complex/high profile requests and/or any wider FOI concerns.

2. Manage a caseload of complex and highprofile FOI and EIR requests following internal processes to meet statutory deadlines. Research assimilate and interpret complex information in order to write clear accurate and legally compliant FOI responses.

3. Review challenge and interpret a wide variety of sensitive complex or technical information so that the release of information and the application of exemptions take into account the public interest factors for and against disclosure and the statutory requirements imposed on the TOCs by information access legislation.

4. Monitor the progression of FOI/EIR cases and take informed customer focussed decisions that balance the needs of the TOCs and the law in order to create the best outcome for colleagues stakeholders and applicants.

5. Negotiate and influence key stakeholders including TOC senior leadership commercial partners the Department for Transport and the Office for Rail and Road in order to maintain and improve disclosure rates of information.

6. Develop and maintain an up to date knowledge of FOI/EIR law and practice to be applied both when dealing with own cases and when providing guidance to colleagues inside and outside the FOI team so that appropriate exemptions may be applied.

7. Develop and propose ideas and solutions to increase transparency across the TOCs. Implement small scale changes to continuously improve processes and outcomes.

8. Review and approve Information Officers FOI/EIR responses to confirm that responses are legally compliant and that all internal processes have been followed.

9. Provide evidence (when required) to support court hearings or tribunals and contributing to successful case outcomes for DFTO and the TOCs.

10. Carefully logging request details in centralised database to support with reporting and day to day functioning of the FOI team.

11. Undertake internal reviews and liaise with the ICO

12. Manage and supervise a small team of Information Officers

Essential Criteria

• Degree in relevant subject and/or substantial experience in Freedom of Information.
• A working knowledge of the FOIA and EIR.
• Demonstrable ability to communicate complex information to diverse audiences orally and in writing.
• Demonstrable ability to identify/solve problems and make decisions.
• Demonstratable ability to think analytically and absorb technical detail quickly.
• Proven experience of stakeholder and customer management.
• High level of organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience of teamwork and motivating encouraging and supporting others
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude and remain effective in dynamic environments including through times of change.
• IT literate and experienced in using the basic Microsoft suite of applications: Word Outlook Excel.

Desirable

Experience of wider information access legislation such as the Data Protection Act and the principles of good information management.

(How to apply)

Additional Information

Contact: If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments please contact HM / Resourcer

About our people and the recruitment process Were an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly as we know traditional working patterns dont always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly just let us know and well do our best to help and invest in your career with us whilst you have a healthy work life balance.

Disclaimer: Candidates applying for this position on a secondment basis must inform their line manager prior to submitting their application. This is to ensure transparency and facilitate any necessary discussions regarding workload and responsibilities.