Freedom of Information Officer - Harlow

Job description

Freedom of Information Officer - Harlow

Harlow District Council

Temporary (12 months), Full Time

£20.00 - £25.00 per hour

Location: Harlow

Closing Date: 7th September 2026

Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Harlow Council to recruit a Freedom of Information Officer on a temporary basis.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a knowledgeable and detail-oriented Freedom of Information (FOI) Officer to join our team. This role is pivotal in ensuring the organisation meets its statutory obligations under the Freedom of Information Act and related legislation.

With a significant proportion of requests relating to housing services, this role will particularly benefit from a strong understanding of the housing function within local government.

The successful candidate will be highly organised, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. You will be confident communicating with a wide range of stakeholders and have a proactive, solutions-focused approach.

Accountabilities
• Act as the first point of contact for all incoming Freedom of Information requests
• Triage requests effectively, ensuring they are directed to the appropriate service areas for response
• Monitor and track requests to ensure compliance with statutory deadlines
• Provide guidance and support to internal stakeholders on FOI processes and requirements
• Review responses to ensure they are accurate, legally compliant, and appropriately redact sensitive information where required
• Maintain accurate records and reporting on FOI activity

The Experience You Will Bring
• Demonstrable experience in handling Freedom of Information requests
• Strong knowledge of housing services within a local government context
• Sound understanding of FOI legislation and a general awareness of legal principles relating to information governance
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to assess, triage, and manage requests efficiently and accurately
• Experience working within a local authority setting
• Knowledge of related legislation (e.g. Data Protection / GDPR, Environmental Information Regulations)
• Experience using case management or records systems

Note: ECC are advertising this role on behalf of Harlow Council.

What you should do next

If you are interested in finding out more about this role, we would love to hear from you. Please apply via working for Essex website.

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email [email protected]