B2 - Temporary Promotion - Information Rights Practitioner - Social Security Scotland

Are you a detail-oriented individual? Do you enjoy thinking through and solving complex problems? If you’re organised and can manage a variety of tasks, then this could be the role for you.

This post is for a temporary Information Rights Practitioner in the Information Rights Team within the Briefing and Engagement branch of Social Security Scotland’s Organisational Strategy and Performance division. The Information Rights Team manage requests for information under various pieces of legislation such as the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act (2018) and the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act (2002). It is our responsibility to make sure that individuals can enact their rights to information, while remaining compliant with legalisation

You will work with a wide variety of internal stakeholders. You will play a key role in supporting colleagues at all levels in ensuring that information rights are respected and managed appropriately, whilst promoting the principles of information rights. You will also engage with third party agencies, such as Police Scotland by responding to Disclosure requests, including out-of-hours, when scheduled for our on-call rota.

As part of this role, you will hold line management responsibility for B1 colleagues in the team.

This post offers an excellent opportunity to develop your knowledge and understanding about information rights, develop your career, and obtain a unique insight into Social Security Scotland.

Responsibility for Internal Candidates

• You will assess, manage and respond to the most complex Production Orders, Specification of document, Freedom of Information, Data Subject and 3rd party disclosure requests received by Social Security Scotland within the statutory timescales.
• You will provide advice and support to all agency staff to ensure requests are handled sensitively. The information will at times be very sensitive.
• Dealing with Freedom of Information reviews and appeals.
• Responding to complex requests and complaints on Information Rights ensuring compliance with appropriate legislation.
• You will support colleagues across the wider team to help deliver our legislative responsibilities.
• You will manage a team of B1s, responding to Information Rights requests.
• You will actively manage your learning and understanding of relevant legislation. Additional training will be provided and you may have the opportunity to undertake accredited external training. 
• You will follow best practise in request and information handling. Including the release of information safely and securely.
• You will take part in the on-call rota for our out-of-hours service.
• You will have expert knowledge and experience of SPM and where information is held within the organisation.

Success Profiles
We use an assessment framework called ‘Success Profiles’ which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each. Find out more about the framework here.

For this opportunity, the following Success Profile elements will be assessed:

Experience:

1. Robust experience of Social Security Scotland case management system SPM, with the ability to easily navigate the system and understand where different pieces of information are held.
2. Demonstrable experience of planning your workload to balance competing demands with tight deadlines.
3. Good written and verbal communication skills.

4. Experience of using guidance and/or legislation to inform, and evidence decision making

Technical / Professional Skills

You can find out more about the skills required by referring to the GKIM profession skills framework.

1. Providing advice and guidance: Data Protection Act (2018) and UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) – Level: Working

2. Providing advice and guidance on: Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act (2002) - Level: Working

How to Apply
Please apply online, providing a Supporting Statement (of no more than 750 words) providing evidence of how you demonstrate the Success Profiles noted above.

Please note that a CV is not required for this opportunity.

If you are interested in this opportunity, you should seek permission from your manager and C-band manager before applying on a level transfer (TLT) basis. If applying on Temporary Promotion you should inform your manager and C-band manager from the outset of your intention to apply. If successful in your application, your release must be agreed by your line manager and C-band manager or relevant unit head.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

Expected Timeline (subject to change)
Closing Date - 12 noon on Tuesday 17th November 2026
Sifting - 17th and 18th November 2026
Informal chats - week commencing 23rd November 2026

Duration of Temporary Opportunity
This opportunity is for up to 6 months duration.

Working Pattern
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week, and we offer a range of flexible working options, depending on the needs of the role. We embrace a hybrid working style where all colleagues will spend time in either our Glasgow or Dundee offices. There is an expectation of a minimum 2 days per week in your assigned location.

Equality Statement
Social Security Scotland are committed to equality and inclusion, and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment, should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process, please contact us at Recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them. 

Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.

Further Information
This post requires the successful candidate to clear additional National Security Vetting clearance (SC) before a start date can be offered. Further information regarding National Security Vetting clearance can be found here - United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK (United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK)

This role is only available to those currently employed by Social Security Scotland, Scottish Government Main or Common Citizenship organisations, who have successfully passed probation and were recruited via Fair and Open means. Please note that applicants from Common Citizenship organisations may apply only on a promotion basis and not via a level transfer.

Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment, should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process, please contact us at recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot

If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form, please contact the Resourcing Team via recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot

If you have any questions about the role please contact Nadia Forrest at Nadia.Forrest@socialsecurity.gov.scot.