The closing date for this job has now passed.

Job reference: 201559
Salary: Band 8A (£60,126 - £64,906)
Job closing date: 12/01/2025
Job Type: Administrative Services
Location: Shetland NHS Board Headquarters
Employment type: Permanent
Hours Per Week: 37
Job posted date: 04/12/2024
Employer (NHS Board): NHS Shetland
Department: Information Governance

Job Advert

Head of Information Governance, FOI Lead and Data Protection Officer (Ref: 201559)

Substantive, Full Time – 37 hours per week

Band 8a - Salary Range £60,126 - £64,906 per annum plus

Distant Island Allowance of £2,380 per annum

Relocation Assistance of up to £8000 available


Transforming Healthcare through Data Protection and Innovation


Are You Ready to Transform Information Governance?

NHS Shetland is seeking a talented and innovative Head of Information Governance who will be at the forefront of protecting and empowering the health and care information of the Shetland community.


The Opportunity

This role provides an opportunity to help shape the future of healthcare information management that puts people first.

Who We Are

NHS Shetland is the UK’s most northerly health board. We are responsible for the healthcare of a population of around 23,000. Our strategic goal is to provide easy access to high quality, sustainable and person-centred care as close to home as possible and to make a meaningful difference in building good health in our communities.

We're committed to ensuring that health and care information is:

Always Available: Enabling healthcare providers to access critical data

Always Accessible: Giving patients control over their own health information

Always Secure: Protecting data with state-of-the-art technology and processes


What we’re looking for

Our ideal candidate will be a data protection expert with experience in a healthcare setting, or similar public sector role.

Your key responsibilities:

  • Lead the implementation of our 'Privacy by Design' approach
  • Develop and maintain a robust information governance framework
  • Ensure compliance with UK-GDPR, Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act, Public Records (Scotland) Act and relevant Scottish Government standards
  • Manage and mitigate information security risks
  • Work collaboratively across health and care settings

Full details of the post holder’s responsibilities are available in the Job Description attached.

Essential Skills and Experience

  • Proven expertise in data protection and information governance
  • Strong understanding of UK-GDPR and related legislation
  • Experience in healthcare or public sector information management
  • Exceptional communication and relationship building skills
  • Ability to translate complex technical concepts into plain language
  • Innovative problem-solving approach


What We Offer

  • Good terms and conditions
  • Small and dedicated team within a supportive Directorate
  • Senior Organisational Leadership role in transforming healthcare information management
  • Commitment to continuous learning and professional development

Shetland is a wonderful place to live and work.  It offers low pollution, low crime, excellent schools, great leisure facilities, unique wildlife and amazing scenery, whilst still only a short flight away from the UK mainland.  To find out more about living and working in Shetland go to www.shetland.org and/or https://www.shetland.org/life


More Than a Job

We're not just managing data – we're protecting people's most personal information and supporting their health and wellbeing. If you're passionate about making a difference, we want to hear from you.


You will be expected to comply with the Induction Standards and Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers within 3 months of commencing your role – details can be viewed on http://www.hcswtoolkit.nes.scot.nhs.uk/resources/hcsw-standards-and-codes/


For an informal discussion, please contact David Morgan, Head of Information Governance and Data Protection Officer: david.morgan3@nhs.scot


Closing date:             11th January 2025

Interview date:          31st January 2025


If you require assistance or encounter any technical issues with your application, please e-mail support at https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home including the vacancy reference number and “NHS Shetland” in the subject line or by calling 0161 850 2004.


In promoting equal opportunities, we welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Take a look around the company https://jobs.scot.nhs.uk/