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Have You Had Any Involvement With Any Meetings Eg Conference, Externals Meetings Etc

The document describes the role and responsibilities of a sector specialist at the ICO. The specialist analyzes cases to identify issues related to an organization's handling of personal data and establishes if practices can be improved. They assess compliance with data protection law and identify broader issues. The specialist provides guidance to customers and organizations via phone and correspondence. They have expertise in their sector and aim to progress within the ICO by developing others' knowledge. The specialist communicates effectively in writing and verbally, manages a demanding caseload, negotiates with organizations, uses IT systems, helps colleagues, and applies legislation analytically with excellent interpersonal skills.

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Craig Taylor
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49 views

Have You Had Any Involvement With Any Meetings Eg Conference, Externals Meetings Etc

The document describes the role and responsibilities of a sector specialist at the ICO. The specialist analyzes cases to identify issues related to an organization's handling of personal data and establishes if practices can be improved. They assess compliance with data protection law and identify broader issues. The specialist provides guidance to customers and organizations via phone and correspondence. They have expertise in their sector and aim to progress within the ICO by developing others' knowledge. The specialist communicates effectively in writing and verbally, manages a demanding caseload, negotiates with organizations, uses IT systems, helps colleagues, and applies legislation analytically with excellent interpersonal skills.

Uploaded by

Craig Taylor
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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I am a sector specialist on casework in the Finance and General Business sectors as well

as PECR and I am able to work on other work queues where required.


My role involves analysing cases to identify key factors about organisations handling of
personal data, I then establish whether there is an opportunity for me to improve the
practices of the organisation.
This can be something as simple as ensuring information is packaged more securely to
asking that a retention policy be implemented.
I also provide the customer with an assessment as to whether compliance with the Data
Protection Act is likely or unlikely. In some cases this involves gathering further
information from organisations and customers to be able to make an assessment. It is
also important that I am able to identify and raise wider issues that may concern other
areas of the business e.g. criminal breaches that enforcement may need to investigate
further.
I provide cover for the helpline when required to assist the helpline team at busy periods
or to cover meetings. The purpose of this is for me to deliver advice to customers and
organisations. This can be as simple as guidance to find information on the ICO website
or explaining legislative understanding to organisations and solicitors. I also speak with
organisations and customers in relation to ongoing cases to try and resolve issues or
further explain outcomes of cases.
Have you had any involvement with any meetings eg conference, externals meetings etc.
Progression within the ICO is something that I really want to achieve and was one of the
deciding factors of joining of the ICO because of the opportunities to progress and
learn. I feel that I can offer advice and guidance to colleagues and developing peoples
knowledge of DPA and PECR is something I am keen on developing further. I was asked
to buddy a new starter which I felt I got a lot out of and enjoyed and is something I
want to expand on.

I think this particular role will suit me as I do have expertise in the sector I work in of
which I have being casework for my sector for three years. Over this time I have
developed a good understanding of casework and procedures in this time. I started on
PECR before moving on to Data Protection work around a year and a half ago. Having
worked in both these areas it gives me a good understanding of the sector overall. I am
approachable and I am often asked for an opinion and advice and I like assisting
colleagues which attracted me to apply for this role. Example, give an example of when
you were asked something and how you dealt with this (it only needs to be a summary
so you can expand on this in the interview)

Excellent Standard of Literacy


In my three years at the ICO I have been doing DPA and PECR casework. In the
casework process I will write to organisations as well as customers which requires me to
have a high standard of literacy and professionalism as I am writing on behalf of the
ICO. Having gone through the project eagle changes this has now allowed for me to
make my letters more flexible and effective. I previously worked very much on the basis

of template letters which were not as personal and didn't convey my finding effectively. I
find I now have more creativity surrounding the wording used and ensures my
communications are clear and concise and in particular this means I can tailor my
response to the audience. This also allows me to adapt the way in which I provide advice
and explanations depending on the individual.
My role also requires me to send emails to various departments as
well as completing out policy advice requests and writing short reports where we have
made improvements to the practices of organisations.
Effective Verbal Communication Skills
I have been trained to assist on our customer helpline of which we do a few hours a
month this ensures I can answer varying degrees of questions from basic to complex
issues from organisations and customers. What do you do on the helpline which
demonstrates effect. Verbal comms
As well as assisting the helpline I regularly speak with customers and organisations
about the casework I am covering, this has also allowed me to build relationships with
organisations to assist with any queries we have.
When speaking on the phone I am able to provide clear advice and I am able to explain
legislation in way in which the customer will understand. I have a strong background in
customer service also worked in the banking industry both face to face and over the
phone in reference to vehicle finance and personal banking. I also assist colleagues with
casework of which I am able to provide clear advice as what steps to consider and
why.how, give an example.

Ability to deal with a demanding workload


I have a weekly allocation of casework which I have to prioritise along with any on-going
cases where further information is needed from an organisation. This is as well as any
secondary correspondence received from customers and organisations. There is service
standards outlined for each of these types of correspondence in that casework generally
needs to be responded to within two weeks. Therefore when dealing with my caseload I
prioritise in this way to ensure service standards are met.
Subsequently I also have to deal with any phone calls that may be received as a result of
the correspondence issued.
The best example of working under pressure was in my role at vehicle finance due to
colleagues leaving for another department I had to run a sector by myself for around 6
weeks. This involved prioritising call backs, emails, post, chasing vehicles back,
incoming calls and processing settlement figure

I managed this really well by myself and then once replacement staff started I also had
to train them how to do the role as well managing my own workload. This also shows I
can work on my own intuitive and part of a team.

Effective negotiation skills


I Currently negotiate with organisation surrounding timescales for responses to queries
and also surrounding reasonable measures they should take to prevent further breaches
occurring. This ensures that a conclusion is met and that the customer receives a
response within a reasonable timescale.
I also negotiated settlement figures with dealerships and customers within vehicle
finance as well as making negotiations surrounding return dates for vehicles with
customers. What were your successes -

Ability to use standard IT Packages


In my current role I use Word, and outlook on a daily basis. I use Excel frequently as
well as in house systems ICE and CMEH. I have used Word, Excel and Outlook for most
of the time I have worked which is around 10 years. I also have some knowledge of
PowerPoint from when I studied IT in college.

An ability to help other develop knowledge/experience


I am an approachable person and many colleagues feel confident in asking for my
opinion and advice with casework on a regular basis. I also recently buddied with a new
starter in which I gave help and advice with casework as well as showing them how to
use the system to set up cases, add parties and send correspondence from the case.
This also included some guidance on what to write, this was a really beneficial exercise
for me in that it gave me further confidence in my abilities and further helped to guide
others. Within my sector I have taken up a large responsibility in dealing with many of
the credit reference agency cases which has assisted colleagues when dealing with credit
reports. It has also allowed me to develop a good working relationship with the credit
reference agencies. I also have experience as a supervisor within my role at the bank
and have previously handed over my knowledge and experience before leaving the
bank. good
Ability to make presentations
I havent recently made any presentations in recent years as my role has not required it.
I have previously made presentations as part of group meeting in HBOS and also within
my college IT course which also used Power Point. I am confident that I would be able to
do presentations where required.
Good Intellectual and analytical ability to apply complex legislation to a variety of
circumstances
Able to analyse cases and provide responses to organisations and customers this also
includes being able to identify more complex or severe issues that may need further
investigations in other departments within the ICO e.g. Enforcement. As complaints are
bought to us via various documents and information I am able to identify the relevant
information and to what parts of the legislation it relates to, in some cases there may be
a multitude of issues including PECR, DPA and FOI. In these cases I am able to provide
guidance in reference to these issues and refer to other teams if necessary.

I have also completed some overtime in other sector queues which demonstrates that I
am applying to the legislation and flexibility to other sector
Excellent interpersonal skills at all levels
Currently work well alongside all my colleagues who have various experience within the
ICO, this includes being able to liaise with lead case officers, managers and group
managers. I have also built relationships with various colleagues within different
departments and levels including within policy, strategic and enforcement for help and
advice and to make them aware of any issues that may affect their department. I am
able to liaise comfortably face to face, via phone or email.

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