The Child and Family Agency was established on 1st January 2014 and is responsible for a range of statutory functions including provision of child protection, alternative care, specified regulatory services and a range of family support services. The Agency has commenced a major improvement programme with significant focus on Practice, Culture and Structure.The Agency currently has responsibility for a budget of circa €1.2billion and delivers its servicesthrough over 5,500 people in 259 locations across the Country.The Child and Family Agency has responsibility for the following range of services:Child Protection and WelfareParenting, Family Support and Early Help ServicesAlternative CareBirth Information & Tracing and AdoptionTusla Education Support Services (TESS)Children's Service RegulationData Protection Unit (DPU)Tusla processes a large volume of highly sensitive personal data on a daily basis in order to deliver the critical services it provides to Children and Families across the State. In doing this, Tusla must ensure that it has adequate organisational and technical measures in place; that the rights and freedoms of Tusla service users are respected and that privacy risks to those rights and freedoms are minimised; and that a fit for purpose operating model for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (FOI) and is implemented.The role of the DPU includes:Data Protection Operations, such as data subject requests (access, erasure, rectification etc.); managing personal data breaches; provision of a data protection helpdesk to all staff; and support for the regional Privacy Officer NetworkData Protection ComplianceData Protection and Privacy technical advice and supportFOI complianceThe DPU also leads Tusla's GDPR Programme, a multi-annual strategic transformation programme. The GDPR programme focuses on driving a wide range of improvements in Tusla's data protection and FOI compliance and control environment, including for example:Data Protection Operating Model Design and Implementation, such as policy and process enhancements or organisation design changes, including the establishment of regional privacy network;Data Protection Impact Assessments and Third-Party Privacy Risk Management, to assess complex data processing activities and third party data sharing arrangements to identify the required privacy safeguards and controls;Regulatory Engagement with the Data Protection Commission and the Office of the Information Commissioner in relation to Tusla's regulatory obligations; andChange Management, Training & Awareness, to embed best practice data protection across Tusla and ensure all staff fully understand their roles and responsibilities in relation to data protection and FOI compliance.Further information is available on Coordinate and manage regional requirements for Data Protection and FOIManagement of Regional Data Protection and FOI employeesDevelop and ensure consistency in operations and practice across the Region with regards to application of the GDPR and FOI legislative obligations.Regional Link to DPU to drive best practice and ensure consistency regarding GDPR and FOI compliance and practice.Proactively work with functional area across the region to promote GDPR compliance and awareness and, in conjunction with relevant stakeholders, develop/ deliver training as appropriateMain Duties and ResponsibilitiesData Protection & FOI OperationsIdentify, develop, and implement efficiencies to ensure the region function to a high levelLead on awareness raising initiatives promoting best practice for compliance with GDPR and FOI legislationWork with key stakeholders to ensure appropriate development and adherence with data sharing agreementsProactively collaborate with records management office on matters related to FOI / GDPR.Ensure there is an efficient and effective system to support processing of Data Subject Rights Requests and FOI in line with legislation.Act as an operational escalation point for the Privacy and FOI Network nationally and for regional and national service business support leads.Manage and support regional employees on reporting, investigation, and remediation of local area breaches.Stakeholder EngagementLead and convene the Privacy and FOI Network Governance Group on a bi-monthly basis. Comprising of senior representatives from the Agency, this group works towards embedding a high functioning Privacy and FOI Network in the Agency.Engage with Regional, Directorate and Services teams to promote Network priorities.Represent the DPU at national training and awareness raising events.Attend DPU management meetings where required.Processes and ProceduresWork closely with the DPU leads to ensure new processes and procedures are fit for purpose for the Network.Operationalise Standard Operating Procedures for the processing of Data Subject Rights Requests, FOI request requests, breaches, and queries.Liaise with the DPU leads on development of appropriate training for the Privacy and FOI Officers.Data Protection AdvisoryPrimary escalation point for regional Privacy and FOI Network on data protection related queries.Deliver presentations, reports, updates to senior management as required.Manage and support the region in advisory and communications functions.Health & SafetyComply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the service for example National Standards for Child Protection and Care and comply with associated Tusla – Child and Family Agency protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.Show more Show less