Senior Freedom of Information and Parliamentary Questions Officer

We are currently looking for aSenior Freedom of Information and Parliamentary Question Officer to join ourCustomer Experience Centre Function within the Enablement group.

Please note this opportunity is currently only available to those working within the Civil Service. Applications from nonCivil Servants may not be reviewed and may be rejected.

This is a fulltime opportunity on a fixed term contract to 28 March 2026. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade Canary Wharf London E14 4PU. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites.

We are currently implementing a flexible hybrid way of working with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role this can flex up to 12 days a month with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly.

Who are we

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices underpinned by science and research.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices underpinned by science and research.

The agency is made up of c.1300 staff working across two main centres and peripatetically across the UK and abroad.

The agency consists of Corporate Partnerships Transformation Governance Communications & Engagement Scientific Research & Innovation Healthcare Quality & Access Safety & Surveillance and Technology groups.

The role sits within the Customer Experience Centre (CEC) team which is part of the Communications and Engagement Group which serves the whole Agency. The purpose of the team is to offer a single advice and information centre which can resolve enquiries whenever possible at first point of contact providing consistently good quality customer experience through a variety of channels and services. This involves assisting the Agencys customers by answering queries received through the Agencys main customer contact points (including but not limited to email and telephone). We have close working relationships across the Communications and Engagement group the wider Agency and others in the healthcare family and we use these relationships to support enhancements to the service we provide to our customers.

Whats the role

This role offers the opportunity to be at the forefront of taking forward one of the Agencys key priorities to become patientcentred and putting our customers first. Reporting to the Freedom of Information (FOI) Manager you will be responsible for responding to complex technically and legally challenging information access requests in line with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). Responsible for the delivery of all FOI request handling processes; the escalation and approval point for all responses sent and guide colleagues within your immediate team and the wider organisation to make sure that MHRA meets its obligations under the FOIA. In addition to this you will also support the FOI manager when the role of commissioning and handling of Parliamentary questions and correspondence transitions to CEC. You will play an important role in shaping the future development and implementing of standards of Transparency across the Agency.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage a caseload of FOI requests internal reviews and ICO investigations working in collaboration with Agency Groups and teams to review and evaluate complex information to determine whether the FOI regulations have been correctly applied so that MHRA are compliant and protected from regulatory action.
• Manage complex and highprofile FOI requests as required following internal processes to meet statutory deadlines. Using expertise to advise agency wide colleagues and interpret complex information in order to support the drafting of clear accurate legally compliant FOI responses.
• Review and evaluate the handling of requests and internal reviews and undertake research to provide written submissions for ICO appeals as directed by the Head of FOIs & PQs and to provide them with all relevant information required to manage higher appeals in the FirstTier Tribunal.
• Provide guidance and training to colleagues on case handling the application of exemptions and the construction of responses to improve the quality of request handling.

Who are we looking for

Oursuccessful candidatewill:

• Aptitude for following process and procedure and ability to spot risks/issues/process improvements.
• Experience of working alongside and leading staff outside the immediate team with the ability to influence and lead delivery. Ability to support others prioritise coordinate and support the wider changing needs of the business.
• Ability to interpret current affairs MP interests and departmental policy through a political and parliamentary lens is crucial.
• Proven ability to analyse and accurately interpret data from various sources to support decisions. Must be able to demonstrate the ability to present reasonable conclusions from a wide range of complex and sometimes incomplete evidence. Ability to make decisions confidently even when details are unclear or if they prove to be unpopular
• Experience of working alongside and leading staff outside the immediate team with the ability to influence and lead delivery. Ability to support others prioritise coordinate and support the wider changing needs of the business.

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity please read our Job Description and Person Specification!

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The selection process:

We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidatesfind out more here.

• Online application form including questions based on theBehaviour Experience and Technical Success Profiles.Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application.
• Interview which can include questions based on theBehaviour Experience Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.

Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competencybased answers provided ensure you have read these thoroughly and allowsufficienttime. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.

Use of AI in Job Applications

Applicants must ensure that anything submitted is factually accurate and truthful. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others or generated by artificial intelligence as your own.

If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process please contact as soon as possible.

Closing date:5^th June 2025

Shortlisting date: from 6^th June 2025

Interview date:from 19^th June 2025

Candidates will be contacted within a week of the sift and the interviews completed to inform them of the outcome.

If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questionsplease contact

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality information on whether you are able to apply is availablehere.

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and prolife activism checks. People working with government assets must completebasic personnel security standard checks.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be as part of preemployment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Any move to the MHRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes including TaxFree Childcare. Determine your eligibilityhere.

Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries please contact.

In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointmenton the basis ofmerit by a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint you should firstly contact Florentina OleylamiHead of Talent Acquisition.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission at:

Civil Service Commission

Room G/8

1Horse Guards Road

London

SW1A 2HQ