Skills

Communication Customer Service Training

Job Specifications

Essex County Council are delighted to be advertising the role of Data Protection Specialist on behalf of Colchester City Council. To see full job advert and apply, please click HERE.

Contract Type: 9 Month Fixed Term Contract

Working Hours: 37 hours per week

Salary £44,039 per annum

Closing Date: 2nd January 2026

Colchester City Council is committed to delivering high-quality and accessible services to residents, visitors and businesses. They are a local government authority providing a diverse range of public and commercial services across Colchester, the second largest district in Essex.

The Council are seeking a Data Protection Specialist who will be responsible for developing and coordinating effective Data Protection and Information Governance. This role will be dedicated to running an Information Governance project as part of our Information Governance business improvement plan, LGR readiness and audit recommendations support across Colchester City Council and Colchester Borough Homes to ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations.

Duties of the role

As an essential member of the Information Governance Team, you will provide a first point of contact for data breaches, queries around how personal information should be handled, providing advice and guidance to stakeholders across the organisation. The role will require you to manage registers, logs and actions to track and report on Data Protection Projects, managing incidents, queries, risks, draft sharing agreements, respond to FOI’s and subject access requests. You will support the Data Protection officer. You will undertake Data Protection Impact Assessments for new projects, and the development of key resources and activities such as policies and procedures, training and guidance documents.

Qualifications and skills required

To be successful in this role, you must:

Be educated to degree level or equivalent, hold a qualification in GDPR / Data protection or evidence extensive knowledge of information governance and data protection legislation, looking for an opportunity to have a real impact, improve governance and associated processes.
Knowledge of best practice in the handling of personal data, and experience in providing advice and guidance in this area.
You must have knowledge of the Data Protection Act and UK General Data Protection Regulation and have the ability to convey this knowledge to others. You will have sound organisational, analytical and communication skills and must be able to work with a wide range of stakeholders.
You will also have a strong background in customer service and administration skills and enjoy sharing your knowledge and skills with others.

What we offer

The Council encourages all employees to maximise their potential. You will be entitled to join an attractive pension scheme and will receive a generous annual leave entitlement, including two extra company holidays during the Christmas period.

Other benefits include:

Flexible working
Gym, travel and online retail discounts
Excellent training, development and progression opportunities

For an informal discussion about this vacancy, please contact Laura Wheeler, Information Services Manager, laura.wheeler@colchester.gov.uk.

For further information regarding this vacancy, please click here.

Colchester City Council has a wide range of services and facilities that can involve dealing with children or vulnerable adults. We treat our obligations for the safety of children and vulnerable adults seriously and expect our staff to be committed to the principles of our published policies and to adhere to the procedures contained within them.

How to apply: This role is being advertised on behalf of Colchester City Council therefore all applications must be submitted via the Colchester City Council website. Please note any applications submitted via the Working for Essex ‘apply’ button will be advised to reapply via the Colchester City Council website.

Please click the link to apply HERE.

About the Company

Essex County Council forms one level of local government within the county of Essex. We work with other local authorities, as well as regional, national and international authorities, to deliver services and represent the best interests of the people of the county. For information about services please visit www.essex.gov.uk. Know more