Investigation Support Officer

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Investigation Support Officer

Fixed term until end November 2026

Full time / Part time 

Salary:          £27,785 - £31,137, with potential for further progression to £35,061pa with our pay progression scheme. 

Location:       Hybrid 

Contracted to our Wilmslow office, however, we offer flexible home and office-based working opportunities. There will be times when you will be expected to attend the office to collaborate with colleagues or travel due to business need. Please note, from Autumn 2026 our head office will relocate from Wilmslow to Manchester city centre.  

Why work for the ICO? 

• Pay progression scheme.
• Hybrid and flexible working options.  
• 25 days paid holiday per year, plus privilege and public holidays. 
• Flexi leave (up to 26 additional days leave per year). 
• Pension
• Online discount scheme to save money at major supermarkets, retailers, gyms, restaurants, insurance providers and many more. 
• Health Cash Plan. 
• Fantastic development opportunities to learn and progress. 

Further details can be found on the benefits section of our website . 

Job summary

The Investigations department take risk-based, proportionate and effective regulatory action under the Data Protection Act (DPA), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the independent regulator of information rights. In a data-driven world, we provide advice, guidance, and support to organisations enabling compliance with their obligations, as well as protecting individuals and their personal data.

As an employer, we are passionate about making a positive difference to the lives and careers of our people, and we empower you to be curious, impactful, collaborative and respectful.

Job description

As the Investigation Support Officer you will primarily be responsible for providing support to teams across the directorate, with a particular focus on the privacy and digital marketing investigation team. This team has responsibility for investigations targeting individuals and organisations causing harm to the general public through nuisance calls and messages.

The role of Investigation Support Officer is varied and you will be responsible for a wide range of duties required to support the work of all members of the investigation team in order to help with the achievement of ICO objectives.  

Key responsibilities:

• To provide general investigative and administrative support for the core functions of the Investigation teams, including through project and case planning, case research and enquiries, preparing requests for information from third parties, analysis of data, and assisting with preparation for operational activity such as the execution of search warrants.
• Administer the case management systems and conduct Quality Assurance activities ensure records, access controls and supporting policies meet agreed quality standards and are up to date.
• To act as Directorate Secretariat providing support to ICO Senior Management, Private Office and Team Management.
• To assist team management through the development and drafting of case specific briefings, reports and through the compilation of timely and accurate management information.
• Act as secretariat and minute taker for high profile meetings, including regulatory action meetings and those held with external stakeholders including law enforcement agencies and other regulatory bodies.
• Provide good customer service to all parties, managing expectations sensitively and communicating clearly, regularly and at an appropriate level, in writing, face to face and over the telephone.
• Develop and maintain up to date knowledge of relevant UK legislation particularly the Data Protection Act (DPA), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).

Person specification

Essential criteria assessed at application stage:

• Experience relevant to the role requirements, as described in the role responsibilities and person specification, and accumulated through any combination of academic or vocational qualifications or experience.
• Experience of applying DPA, GDPR or similarly complex legislation (also measured at interview).
• Excellent intellectual ability in order to be able to analyse complex legislation and to apply it to particular cases, and to understand the business of organisations across the public sector (also measured at interview).
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate and maintain good relationships with officials in all areas of public life; (also measured at interview).

Essential criteria assessed during interview:

• Ability to rapidly assimilate and digest large volumes of information.
• Ability to prepare/present briefings/reports. Production of statistics, management information, charts etc.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage actions and activity and prioritise key work-streams.
• Good judgement and ability to take high profile decisions.
• Strong communication skills including excellent written skills.

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. Read more about our commitment on our website.  

Candidates with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for this vacancy will be invited to interview as part of the ICO’s commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme. 

As part of the ICO’s commitment to our EDI objectives and creating a workplace that represents the communities and societies we serve, we guarantee an interview to candidates who declare they identify as belonging from an ethnic minority background and who meet the minimum criteria for this vacancy

If you are disabled or have an impairment and require an alternative application method, please email the HR team at [email protected] 

Closing Date 

Please submit your CV by 23:59, 8 February.

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. To ensure your application is considered, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application, please contact us at [email protected].

In the event of a high volume of applications, we may not be able to invite all candidates who meet the minimum criteria to interview. However, we encourage you stay in touch and apply for future roles that match your interests. 

All candidates who meet the minimum criteria and apply in-line with our guaranteed interview scheme for disabled and ethnic minority applicants will be interviewed.