ICO offering £140k salary for new Information Commissioner to replace Christopher Graham
Huge role for successful candidate largely because of incoming EU Data Protection Regulations
The Cabinet Office is on the hunt for a new Information Commissioner to replace Christopher Graham, and is offering up to £140k for the successful candidate.
The full-time role will be for a term of five years, and will require the post-holder to lead the organisation through a significant period of change during their tenure, with the incoming implementation of the proposed EU Data Protection Regulation, as well as any changes recommended by the recent Triennial Review of the ICO.
The Information Commissioner will have to provide leadership and strategic direction to the ICO, build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, and contribute to debates on the development of policy on data protection and freedom of information issues. The candidate also has to act as an accounting officer for the ICO.
The successful candidate has to be a confident public speaker and media spokesperson, have a passion to engage with and understand modern IT, and have the ability to make difficult decisions under pressure, and where necessary defend these against internal and external challenges.
He or she has to have evidence of ability to be independent and impartial as well as being flexible and adaptable. Furthermore, the post-holder will have to show excellent judgement, including the ability to identify, evaluate, and manage risk and to build mitigating strategies.
If the minister decides on a preferred candidate, they will have to appear before the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee. The government will then accept the committee's conclusions on whether or not to appoint the preferred candidate. The role is ultimately appointed by The Queen and has independent status.
Christopher Graham, who is leaving his post as Information Commissioner because his term finishes in June 2016, said that his successor will take the helm at an exciting time for information rights.
"Growing public concerns about privacy and public demand for transparency, combined with the upcoming EU data protection regulation and potential challenges to FOIA, mean that a fascinating and rewarding job just got even bigger and better," he said.
"I am determined to be in a position to hand over to my successor an ICO that is on top form and ready for the exciting years ahead," he added.