Job Description

UKRI
Salary: £58,589 per annum.
Band: UKRI Band F.
Contract Type: Fixed Term (12 months).
Hours: Full-time/ Part Time (minimum 0.7 FTE) (flexible working available).
Location: Polaris House, Swindon - Hybrid working available.

Closing Date: Tuesday 7th July 2026.

Employees applying for any opportunity which may mean being away from your substantive role for a temporary period of time, please refer to the UKRI recruitment policy – UKRI for further information in the first instance. If you are made an offer, please ensure you liaise with your Line Manager and the designated HR Team as soon as possible in order that implications of any move are clear and understood, prior to a move taking place.

About the role

The Information Governance group supports UKRI in meeting its obligations relating to Data Protection legislation, the Freedom of Information Act, and Environmental Information Regulations.

The Senior Information Rights Manager – International, will lead a work programme to support international research funding activities. As an international data transfer specialist, they will work closely with UKRI International policy and fund teams to build a deeper understanding of UKRI international activities, support the development of international partnerships and funding programmes, and address the associated information governance challenges.

The postholder will provide leadership and advice on information rights in relation to international research funding activities to support compliance. The work programme they will lead aims to deliver a robust framework to support international partnerships and meet data protection requirements for transfer mechanisms and safeguards, and which can respond to legislative and regulatory change and embed best practice and enables continuous improvement. They will provide advice to a diverse range of colleagues, including members of the executive and senior management.

They will lead the management of timely, high-quality advice and support to international funding teams, leading data protection risk assessments and advising on agreements and data sharing arrangements for partnership activities and funding programmes, and oversee personal data breach incident management involving data transfers.

Working with the Head of Information Governance and others across the Group, they will play a key role in leading and sustaining a full information governance service for UKRI and provide operational leadership to ensure effective governance, accountability, risk management and integrated assurance arrangements. They will represent information governance interests on UKRI and council groups and committees, and externally as required.

Your Responsibilities

Leading a programme of work to enable effective management of personal and confidential data, including data sharing and personal data transfers relating to UKRI international research funding activities. This includes:

1. Development and oversight of the work programme to support international research funding partnerships, focused on delivering key resources to enable sustainable partnerships and support continuous improvement. Includes timely reporting on progress and delivery to senior managers and governance committees, and active resource management to ensure the most effective deployment of people, resources and time.
2. Providing expert advice and assistance on the management of personal data, data sharing and transfers relevant to UKRI international research funding activities. This includes advising on transfer mechanisms and safeguards, including contractual requirements, undertaking transfer risk assessments for specific countries and jurisdictions, identifying appropriate approaches to data management, controls and risks and undertaking data protection impact assessments where needed.
3. Leading the development of effective procedures, guidance, reports and other templates are in place, and are regularly reviewed and updated in line with changing business requirements for international funding activities. This includes managing the procurement and delivery of services from external legal advisors and other suppliers as required.
4. Leading the development and delivery of frameworks and protocols with international partners, addressing the requirements relevant to multiple activities where possible.
5. Monitoring developments in information rights legislation, providing analysis of any implications for UKRI activities and developing proposals to address emerging issues and regulatory change, and disseminating information across the organisation as necessary.
6. Responsible for the personal data breach incident management process for incidents involving international funding activities and international partners, ensuring that incidents are managed effectively, actions are identified and monitored, and where relevant incidents are reported to relevant regulators.
7. Leading the development and delivery of information rights training, addressing international research funding partnerships and international data transfers, including targeted induction, awareness raising activity and specialist training as necessary.
8. Providing expert advice on other areas of UK information rights legislation, such as the Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Information regulations, to support compliance and monitor and improve service delivery. This includes advice to international teams, and international partners and support on information rights requests involving international partnership information.
9. Providing expert, timely and effective advice on information rights matters, including to the Chief Executive, Chief Finance Officer and senior executives across UKRI, through excellent quality written submissions and face-to-face briefings.
10. Reviewing and resolving complex issues and complaints relating to information rights. Providing direction and support across the team when handling complicated or ambiguous queries or raising reputational issues.
11. Driving service improvements through the development and continuous assessments of key performance indicators for information rights operations work supporting international partnerships.
12. Other duties as required, including providing support to other teams across the Group and deputising for the Head of Information Governance as required.

Personal Specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

Essential

• An established information rights professional with appropriate qualifications in data protection or equivalent experience of working in this area in a complex organisation. (S)
• Expert knowledge of data protection legislation and sound understanding of freedom of information and environmental information regulations legislation, and an ability to interpret requirements into effective policies, guidance, and advice. (I)
• Demonstrable experience in providing specialist support on personal data protection to key stakeholders, including to senior management, and to projects and business change initiatives, to ensure compliance and alignment with information rights policies. (S&I)
• Demonstrable experience in developing collaborative working relationships, an ability to influence and negotiate and to build and maintain effective, positive, and responsive relationships with a range of colleagues and external stakeholders. (S&I)
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with an ability to produce high quality, clear and concise briefings, papers, and other materials for a wide range of audiences, including executive and senior management, and non-specialists. (I)
• Sound leadership and management skills with an ability to inspire, motivate and develop capability within a team to deliver quality outcomes.
• Proven prioritisation skills and flexible approach to managing workloads, and an ability to re prioritise individual and team focus in a changing environment. (I)
• Proven project management skills, including project planning and delivery. (S)
• Demonstrable problem-solving skills, with an ability to innovate and challenge established thinking in self and others, and to offer insights and ideas with practical application to influence and drive change and support continuous improvement. (S&I)
• Proficient IT skills to support delivery of work, including an ability to use Microsoft Office packages. (S)

Desirable

• Experience of international policy, collaboration and research and innovation funding (S&I)

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

A list of benefits below:

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options.

Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

For further information on our benefits please see:
Benefits of working for UKRI – UKRI

Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org

Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements 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, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.