Lead Technical Expert - Information Governance
Job summary
Fixed term secondments at the HRA. Information Governance leads currently working in NHS/HSC (Northern Ireland) Organisations
The Health Research Authority (HRA) is offering a new, exciting opportunity for senior, experienced members of the professional information governance communities working in health and care research.These roles will contribute to improving study set-up by streamlining processes and supporting sites to take assurances, reducing time taken to setup research to meet the ambitious government target of 150 days or less.
We are seeking expert input and leadership to support this work, and appointments will be made from this pool of experienced professionals. Roles will be offered on a fixed-term secondment basis, with flexible whole-time equivalents, recognising that they will be undertaken alongside existing professional responsibilities.
Successful individuals will work on behalf of the HRA to help develop improvements in set-up and assurances provided for research involving information governance. They will work closely with HRA staff and existing experts who advise us to support change in the NHS and HSC (Northern Ireland) help organisations make proportionate use of study-wide assurance, provide early expertise and advice to industry sponsors and partners including the NIHR RRDN, CRDCs and Industry Hub.
Opportunities are offered up to 1.0 WTE IG lead in total and may be shared by up to 4 individuals depending on interest, expertise and availability.
Main duties of the job
In addition to the person specification, you will:
- be a senior member of staff with experience relevant to Information Governance and the set-up and delivery of commercial research
- currently work in the NHS/HSC (Northern Ireland)
- have experience of working across wide collaborative groups to drive improvements in practice, or evidence of authoring professional guidance or standards
- have direct experience within an NHS/HSC organisation of advising on Information Governance requirements related to the set-up of health and care research
- have relevant experience of cybersecurity and digital-system assurance, including experience of DSPT or devolved nation equivalents and understanding how assurance applies to third-party suppliers, electronic systems, devices and local integration in a research context (desirable)
- have a pragmatic and proportionate approach to research set-up and delivery
- be able to see the big picture and excited to deliver improvements for the UK as a whole
- have internal agreement and the time to commit to this fixed-term secondment opportunity
About us
At the HRA, we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive working environment where we actively invest in the development and empowerment of our staff, enabling them to perform at their best. We strive to promote a healthy workplace culture where wellbeing, collaboration, and professional growth are valued and encouraged.
Working at the HRA, we support flexible working, recognising that home based or hybrid arrangements provides us with the most productive environment to work well. Where possible, we'll offer a working pattern that suits you.
The HRA offers home based contracts for all locations. Newcastle, Manchester and Nottingham based staff can be office based and hybrid working arrangements are also possible. We encourage you to speak with us to explore how this could be accommodated.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that helps us to deliver the best services. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community: age, disability, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and other diverse characteristics, and we have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification documents for full details about this role.
When completing your application, ensure you clearly demonstrate how your experience and skills align with the criteria outlined for this position.
We recognise that generative AI tools can be helpful in supporting applicants during the recruitment process, particularly for tasks such as proofreading, structuring, or refining written responses. However, we encourage candidates to use AI responsibly and sparingly. Applications should reflect your authentic voice, personal experiences, and genuine qualifications. Over reliance on AI-generated content can result in generic or inaccurate submissions that fail to meet the criteria or convey your individuality. Misrepresentation of skills, knowledge, or experience, including through AI-generated content, may lead to the rejection of your application, withdrawal of your offer, or your dismissal if you do start with us. If you choose to use AI, please ensure it enhances rather than replaces your own input, and be transparent about its use where appropriate. False and insincere examples go against our values of integrity and transparency.
Important information We are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship arrangement as we do not hold a sponsorship licence. Applications requiring sponsorship will not be considered.
Applications that do not clearly demonstrate how the essential criteria outlined in the person specification are met will not be shortlisted.Only the information provided in the application form will be considered. CVs will not be reviewed. We do not accept applications via recruitment agencies or other third parties.
The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficient number of applications.
Our fixed term roles are also open to applicants who wish to apply on a secondment basis. Applicants who fit this category are advised to speak with their line manager before applying and visit their organisations Secondments Policy.
Organisational structure and directorate overview The HRA is made up of five directorates: Approvals, Chief Executive, Digital, Policy and Partnerships and Resources.
This role is in the HRA Approvals Service directorate which consists of teams that work together, across the HRA and across the UK research landscape to provide the appropriate approvals for health and care research in England and, in some cases, across the UK, and to coordinate and standardise research regulation policy and practice across the UK.
This directorate issues HRA Approval, provides the research ethics service in England, supports the Confidentiality Advisory Group advising on the use of confidential patient information without consent; and coordinates technical assurances for pharmacy and radiation. We lead work to refine and maintain the systems and processes researchers need to follow to ensure a swift, robust and simple experience. We do this by working collaboratively with external partners and nearly 1000 committee volunteers to improve the research environment.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
- Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience in information governance, data protection, or a related field
- Knowledge of UK data protection law and confidentiality requirements as applied to health and care research
- Relevant professional qualification (e.g. ISEB/BCS Data Protection, or equivalent)
Professional Appointments
- Currently employed in a senior information governance, data protection or research governance role within an NHS/HSC organisation or equivalent
- Experience of supporting or advising on the use of confidential patient information for research purposes
- Experience of working with or alongside research ethics or confidentiality advisory processes (e.g. REC/CAG or equivalent)
- Experience of representing an organisation in national or cross-organisational professional forums
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Significant experience of advising on information governance in the context of health and care research, including data protection and confidentiality considerations
- Experience of reviewing research applications, protocols or data flows to assess information governance requirements
- Understanding of study set-up processes and the interaction between sponsors and NHS/HSC organisations
- Ability to apply a pragmatic and proportionate approach to information governance issues arising during research set-up and delivery
- Current evidence of Continuing Professional Development
- Experience of contributing to the development of guidance, policy or standardised approaches to information governance in research Experience of working across organisations to support consistent or proportionate approaches and influence changes in operational practice
- Experience of cybersecurity and digital-system assurance, including DSPT or devolved nation equivalents and an understanding of how assurance applies to third-party suppliers, electronic systems, devices and local integration in a research context
Areas of expertise
- Conversant with health and care research undertaken across a range of settings (e.g. clinical trials, observational research, data-enabled research)
- Understanding of key information governance considerations including data minimisation, transparency, lawful basis, and confidentiality
- Understanding of sponsor and site responsibilities in the set-up and delivery of health and care research
- Understanding of study-wide assurance and the distinction between matters that can be relied upon centrally and those that genuinely require local action
- Ability to contribute to UK-wide policy, guidance and standardised approaches, working across the Four Nations where required, and to provide authoritative professional advice to a range of stakeholders.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
Employer details
Employer name
Health Research Authority
Address
3 Piccadilly Place
London Road
Manchester
M1 3BN
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.hra.nhs.uk/