Information Governance Manager

Information Governance Manager -research and compliance

6 months initially
£280 per day inside IR35
London (hybrid)

We are seeking an experienced Information Governance professional to lead and shape IG support for research across the Trust. This pivotal role will see you act as the key advisor to senior leadership, ensuring research activity is compliant, secure, and underpinned by the highest standards of data protection.

You will provide expert guidance on complex research proposals, data sharing, and ethics, while developing clear policies, training, and governance frameworks that enable colleagues to deliver research confidently and effectively. Alongside managing audits, the NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit, and IG risk assessments, you will represent the Trust at national forums, helping to influence policy and share best practice.

As a leader, you will manage and develop staff, oversee budgets, and deputise for the Head of Information Governance when required. This role offers the opportunity to combine operational delivery with strategic influence, making a significant impact on how research is governed and supported within the NHS.

• Coordinate and manage IG operations in support of research, keeping the Head of IG, the Director for Research, and the Chief Operating Officer for INSIGHT apprised of outcomes and escalating issues as appropriate
• Provide expert and specialist IG advice and expertise on health research and related data access initiatives, developing high-quality, user-friendly and accurate guidance in a range of formats
• Provide expertise and advice on research management and proposals (grant applications), including research ethics and data sharing/licensing and/or service agreements involving personal data, liaising with the Head of IG
• Manage information asset accession and information security reviews relating to research proposals, including Information risk assessments, data protection impact assessments for new and existing research systems/processes/projects involving processing of data, ensuring that proposals are compliant and in the required format for approval
• Ensure research related policies, procedures and guidelines are compliant with data protection legislation and are implemented effectively and efficiently across the research function.
• Assess and report on the discharge of procedures and processes to identify gaps in current practice, and where required make recommendations.
• Work with the managers and principle investigators to ensure the maintenance of their entries to the information asset register
• Develop and provide tailored IG training and guidance for research colleagues
• Investigate and report on IG complaints and incidents in line with Trust policy as required, particularly where they are linked to research
• Coordinate, develop and review appropriate information-sharing protocols that provide clarity of purpose and enable streamlining of information disclosure routes
• Ensure the Trust is compliant with legislative requirement for data sharing or licensing
• Provide input to the Trust’s IG and corporate risk registers and reporting requirements.
• Manage the NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) activity, including the collation and provision of evidence, and coordination of returns
• Assist with DPA requests relating to research (including requests that overlap between the DPA and the FoIA) and respond to DPA complaints where necessary
• To assist the Head of IG with IG Departmental work planning. This includes planning and coordinating specialist project advice and technical support, planning and coordinating specialist advice and guidance
• There is an expectation that the postholder may be responsible for contractors/consultants hired to undertake a discrete piece of service work, and/or agency temporary staff
• Monitor and support internal and management audit of research processes to identify IG gaps or weaknesses in current practices or systems. Ensure all recommendations are implemented to deliver an improvement in the research function delivery
• Provide leadership for, and the IG element of research governance groups, ensuring terms of references are up to date and aligned with other governance structures at the Trust
• Manage, support and develop the Information Compliance Officer
• Attend external Information Governance and Research Forums to develop strong and productive relationships with Information Governance leads in other NHS organisations and with wider stakeholders and to help influence the national policy agenda on Information Governance
• Continue to maintain an up to date knowledge of Information Governance and other related initiatives which may affect the Trust
• Provide expert advice to the Trust on information governance related for contracts and agreements for research that involve processing personal data
• Financial and Physical responsibility: hold budget, monitors budget, procurement of capital equipment and supplies
• Human resources duties: manage training, appraisals and recruitment of staff into the department