Principal Technology Advisor - Privacy Enhancing Technologies

Various Technology Opportunities 

Technology is driving fundamental changes to our society, driven by the critical role personal data is playing in our digital lives. What role could you play in influencing the way we support innovation and technological change while also protecting privacy and information rights?

We have vacancies for several positions across the directorate – roles that will help us shape how emerging technologies and information practices impact the lives of the UK public. For more information, please look at our Technology and Innovation opportunities page.

About us

As an independent body serving the public, the work of the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is interesting and immensely rewarding. We uphold information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals.

In the last year we have been involved with prominent issues ranging from addressing the use of intrusive technology in our personal lives, to the privacy implications of the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our work has never been so important or high profile.

The ICO’s technology group deals with some of the most complex privacy, data rights, data protection and emerging technology issues that society faces. The aim of the group is to make sure the ICO can assess and respond to these developments, and most importantly, to shape the future privacy, data and technology landscape.

About the roles

We are looking for technical experts with experience in the following domains;

• AI and Data Science and Design
• Biometric technologies
• Cyber security
• End-to-end encryption
• Online tracking and surveillance technologies
• Privacy enhancing technologies (PETs)

You may have previously worked as an engineer, developer, designer, product manager or academic. As Principal Technology Advisor you will help the ICO identify and respond to the use of emerging technologies by providing expert insight into how they work, how they are used, and the impact they can have. You will have a focus on a specific domain area but will be able to assess other emerging technologies enabling you to join the dots between a range of technological developments and their impact on society.

You must be passionate about ensuring the development and use of emerging technologies addresses the risk of harm to citizens while ensuring the societal benefits can be realised. You will help ensure the ICO can respond to and proactively shape developments to support the rights and interests of citizens.

About you

Our ideal candidate will have:

• 2 years’ post higher degree experience in emerging technology domains related to the job role
• Up to date expert knowledge of current trends and practices in the relevant domain area and emerging technology more broadly
• Experience of working in a team and on a range of projects and programmes of work
• Extensive knowledge of computing sciences and IT theories, principles and practices
• Ability to apply legislative requirements to the development and application of information and communications technologies
• A strong desire and aptitude to continually develop technical knowledge, skills and abilities as technology evolves
• Excellent standards of literacy and written communication skills

How to apply

To apply for this Privacy Enhancing Technologies specialist post please submit your CV and covering letter. Please ensure that your covering letter is no more than 2 pages. We also ask that you do not include any personal information (eg name, address) within your CV or cover letter, as these will be entered via a separate form.

In addition to considering your past experience, we will be shortlisting against three core competencies. They are:

•  a higher degree, relevant professional qualification or relevant work experience demonstrating postgraduate level ability, 
• an extensive knowledge of the specific domain you are applying to, and
• excellent analytical and research skills demonstrating an ability to identify emerging technology trends, developments, and issues.

Closing date: 12pm (midday) Wednesday 1 December 2021

Why work for the Information Commissioner's Office? 

We are proud to provide our people with a premium benefits package including

• a generous leave allowance,
• civil service pension arrangements,
• flexi time 
• flexible working arrangements such as compressed hours
• staff medicals

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The ICO is committed to promoting and enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion. We are focused on developing a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve and together we are building an inclusive workplace where all of our colleagues have the opportunity to make a real difference.

We are championing this through our Equality Diversity and Inclusion Board together with a number of staff networks.

If you are disabled and have difficulty using our online application system please email the HR team at recruitment@ico.org.uk who
can arrange for you to submit an application via an alternative method.