Data Protection and Information Governance Lead

Posting date:	10 April 2026
Salary:	£56,375 to £62,830 per year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	17 April 2026
Location:	York
Company:	Government Recruitment Service
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	454530/13

Summary

This is a brilliant time to join RPA, our organisation is growing and we’re at the heart of delivering the Government’s agricultural transition and making a genuine difference to the health of our environment and rural economy. We continue to make year on year improvements in performance as we become a data and intelligence led organisation, embedding our vision of customer excellence at every level and growing our reputation to make a difference every day.

Our Data & Innovation directorate is a multidisciplinary team including Geospatial Analysts, Data Engineers and Architects, Data Analysts, Intelligence Analysts and Data Protection and Information Governance practitioners. Together, we’re in a unique position to use our specialist skills to work with the agricultural community to deliver big, impactful change, supporting high level environmental and animal welfare outcomes and the move towards net zero. This is an exciting time to join our team as we grow and develop our ability to continuously analyse nationwide agricultural activity and provide agile, directed data and evidence driven support to the farming community.

We have clear values that we are embedding at every level in our organisation, improving engagement and innovating to be a more inclusive, supportive, and engaging employer. Our people own our values and bring them to life in everything we do. Recent new starters have talked glowingly about how supportive and caring their new colleagues are. We are proud of our open and approachable culture, with a strong commitment to developing our people, investing in their skills, and creating an environment where everyone can thrive. We hope this appeals to you.

Further information can be found on the Rural Payments Agency website Rural Payments Agency - GOV.UK

The successful candidate will oversee specialist teams covering all aspects of data protection and information governance. The Data Protection and Information Governance Lead is responsible for ensuring the organisation meets its statutory, regulatory, and internal obligations relating to data protection and information governance. Operating as the senior subject‑matter expert, the postholder provides strategic direction, expert advice, and assurance to senior leaders to support the responsible, lawful, and transparent handling of information.

Responsibilities

Specifically, the role will be:

• Leading the development and implementation of the department’s data protection and information governance frameworks, policies, and procedures.
• Acting as the primary expert advisor on UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, Freedom of Information, and related legislation.
• Providing strategic guidance and challenge to ensure new programmes, digital services, and data-processing activities meet compliance requirements.
• Managing responses to complex information access requests, data breaches, and incidents, ensuring timely reporting and robust remedial action.
• Overseeing information risk management, including Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA), information asset governance, and records lifecycle management.
• Building capability across the organisation through guidance, training, engagement, and clear communication.
• Working collaboratively with senior stakeholders, legal teams, security colleagues, and external regulators to maintain high standards of accountability and transparency.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.