Corporate Governance Support Officer - Head Office

JOB PURPOSE:

Provide strategic and operational support to the Corporate Governance Manager and Data Protection Officer (DPO).  Lead on the delivery of projects associated with a range of corporate governance functions including corporate and charity governance, data protection, freedom of information requests, risk management, internal controls, strategy and organisational compliance with national/international laws and regulations.

Work with the Corporate Governance Manager/DPO to promote a culture of good governance to ensure the organisation complies with current and emerging legislation and regulatory requirements. 

Operate on a day to day basis with a high level of autonomy whilst exercising discretion and judgement in progressing the workload associated with the post and acting on behalf of the Corporate Governance Manager/DPO as required.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

CORPORATE and CHARITY GOVERNANCE

• Lead and drive progress in areas of governance responsibility identified by the Corporate Governance Manager/DPO. This will include undertaking proactive work that promotes good governance working practices and delivers organisational compliance with laws and regulations.
  
  
• Lead on the delivery of corporate/charity governance projects. This will include development and delivery of comprehensive project plans to ensure key objectives are met and the implementation of a practical workable governance framework against which performance can be measured
  
  
• Monitor changes to law and guidance on matters relating to governance, data protection and freedom of information to ensure the organisation remains compliant, takes timely action to update and implement changes in organisational practice, policies and procedures
  
  
• Maintain and improve existing processes for handling governance complaints to ensure individuals are treated in a fair and consistent manner, taking ownership of individual cases and resolve satisfactorily and in according with the legal and regulatory requirements

DATA PROTECTION

• Identify, maintain, improve and evaluate data protection processes/systems and respond accordingly within legal timescales. This will include handling data subject rights, incident and breach/data loss management and investigation, provide general advice, guidance and support on data protection and data sharing
  
  
• Identify and evaluate data processing activities and maintain records of processing activities
  
  
• Conduct data protection impact assessments to proactively take responsibility in identifying, assessing, managing and reporting data privacy risk issues, mitigation measures and the monitoring of their performance
  
  
• Contribute to and participate in meetings and working groups to ensure Privacy by Design at all levels

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

• Develop, manage and maintain efficient and effective systems/activities for processing freedom of information requests, liaise with management at all levels to ensure an accurate and timely response within legal timescales

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

• Conduct internal governance audits including data management audits to determine whether procedures need to be altered to comply with regulations and organisational standards

• Deliver bespoke governance training including data protection and prepare materials to raise awareness and understanding across the organisation

• Collate and analyse statistical information through monitoring performance against objectives and outcomes, interpret results, identify trends, produce detailed reports, make recommendations and ensure actions are completed to deliver improvements

• Communicate, influence and negotiate with managers, staff, people we support, external organisations and other stakeholders

 RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

• To be familiar and comply with Turning Point Scotland’s policies and procedures.

• To share information gathered during the course of work appropriately and as directed with other professionals within and outwith Turning Point Scotland in compliance with the Data Protection laws and regulatory authorities’ and other legal requirements.

• To minimise expenses incurred by the Turning Point Scotland in the course of carrying out your duties 

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

• To be aware of and operate in compliance with the Scottish Social Services Council Code of Practice

• To participate purposefully in and take advantage of the opportunities for discussion afforded by Turning Point Scotland’s staff supervision and annual appraisal scheme
• To be responsible for your own good practice and for the promotion of good practice among colleagues
• To work to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and create an atmosphere which is free from conflict

• To report concerns about practice or conduct issues to your Line Manager

• To attend all mandatory training
• To attend training which has been identified as being necessary to provide you with the necessary skills to undertake the duties and responsibilities of your post

• To be responsible for your own continuous professional development and identify any perceived ‘gaps’ in your knowledge which require to be addressed through training, or other means

• To assist with the on-the-job induction of new starts within the organisation, and demonstrate good practice at all times in this regard
  
• To ensure that you can demonstrate your continued suitability to work with vulnerable adults or children by completing an Application for an up-to-date Enhanced Disclosure for Disclosure Scotland, on a 3-yearly basis or as required

Turning Point Scotland is Scotland's leading social care developer and provider.

Our staff work across Scotland's communities supporting individuals with a range of complex needs. We continually tailor our service provision to suit our ambition for every individual to fulfil their potential to be active and enjoy a sense of belonging within their community. Professional and thorough in our continual development and delivery of our service, we take pride in the difference we can make in the quality of life of those we support. 

As Corporate Governance Support Officer within our head office, you will join a team that leads on the delivery of projects associated with a range of corporate governance functions including corporate and charity governance, data protection, freedom of information requests, risk management, internal controls, strategy and organisational compliance with national/international laws and regulations.

And you will work with the Corporate Governance Manager/Data Protection Officer and colleagues to promote a culture of good governance to ensure the organisation complies with current and emerging legislation and regulatory requirements. We want our Governance to be an enabler of our innovation within our sector, and offer a friendly, supportive, stimulating and dynamic work environment to achieve this.

If this sounds attractive, and you have experience in information governance, compliance and/or data protection, have the ability to take a logical and analytical approach to solving problems and resolving issues, and can demonstrate your ability to build the key working relationships that ensure smooth project management and delivery, we’d like to hear from you.  Our staff enjoy training, support, and sector-leading salary, pension and benefits packages. And they enjoy using and developing their personal qualities to make a difference.

Essential Criteria

Experience

• Experience of working in corporate/charity governance and/or compliance and/or data protection and/or information governance or similar function in a business environment
• Experience of project management and delivery across a range of projects
• Experience of leadership and team working capabilities as well as experience of working autonomously, using own initiative
• Experience of building key working relationships both internally and externally.

Skills & Knowledge

• Knowledge of data protection laws and practices, as well as an understanding of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018
• Ability to understand, interpret and apply judgement to complex legislation and regulatory requirements to ensure organisational compliance

• Ability to make decisions independently within a defined area of responsibility, and to know when to escalate an issue

• Ability to collate, visualise and analyse statistical information in detail.  Interpret results, identify trends, draw logical conclusions and find solutions to various issues or make decisions based on the information
• Ability to take a logical and analytical approach to solving problems and resolving issues
• Ability to operate smoothly and efficiently within a team but also to lead, encourage and motivate other team members
• Ability to plan, organise and prioritise tasks and projects and to provide clear advice and direction even when faced with competing demands and short deadlines.  Take account of the equally demanding workloads of others who require to be involved all levels
• Ability to use internal systems, database, internet and intranet to effectively obtain information as necessary
• Advanced PC skills in the following software packages:
  - Microsoft Word – preparation of a range of documentation in a professional format
  - Microsoft Excel – preparation and design of statistical/financial reports using formulae, graphs, charts and pivot tables
  - Microsoft PowerPoint – preparing / editing presentations
  - Microsoft Outlook – manage electronic mail and diaries

Communication & Culture Approach

• Communication & Culture Ability to promote a culture of good governance across the organisation
• Ability to communicate confidently, clearly and concisely both orally and in writing including chairing meetings, emails appropriate challenge, preparing reports, presentations and delivering training/awareness sessions.
• Ability to interact with others effectively, provide a professional view but with a willingness to compromise and listen to the views of others
  

Other Requirements

• Ability to demonstrate a shared commitment to TPS vision, mission and values
• Operate on a day to day basis with a high level of autonomy whilst exercising discretion and judgement in progressing the workload associated with the post and acting on behalf of the Corporate Governance Manager/DPO as required
• Have a positive, personable and reassuring approach that engages and connects with people
• Flexibility in carrying out any other duties that may be required by the organisation.  Some travel to other sites/locations is required

Desirable Criteria

Experience

• Relevant qualification in data protection and/or governance
• Experience of managing internal controls processes and/or audits and/or risk management
• Experience of records of processing activities
• Experience of writing organisational policies, procedures and material
• Experience in providing concise evidence-based information for review and consideratione

Skills and knowledge

• Knowledge and understanding of best practice in corporate and/or charity governance, legislation and regulations pertinent to the organisation
• Knowledge of Scottish Governance Code for Third Sector
• Knowledge and understanding of data protection impact assessments (DPIA) providing advice and instructions on how to conduct DPIA
• Knowledge and understanding of Privacy by Design
• Ability to exercise sound judgement on how to reconcile the competing demands of internal sensitivities, conflicting views and tight timescales for response relating to data subject rights and freedom of information request

There are a significant number of benefits to working for Turning Point Scotland including excellent terms and conditions of service, including access to range of high quality vocational and skills training, a range of family-friendly policies to help balance work-life, participation in a number of environmentally friendly initiatives , active promotion of healthy living in the workplace and not least the provision of a working environment where opinions and ideas are valued and arrangements are in place to ensure that there is a high level of staff representation and that people are encouraged to makes their views heard and to participate in team meetings etc.

The main terms and conditions of the service include the following:

The salary scale for the post will be (reduced pro rata for part time posts, the full time equivalent is a 37 working hour week)

• £28,461
• £29,296
• £30,121
• £30,724
• £31,515

The annual leave entitlement will be (reduced pro rata for part time posts and will include a proportional entitlement to public holidays)

28 days per year, plus 8 public holidays and 2 local holidays.