Apprentice Data Protection Support Assistant (2171)

Do you want to help create a better world for animals? At the RSPCA, we believe animal welfare is everyone's welfare. Join us in creating a better world for every animal. We can do it if we work together, everyone for every animal.

Choose a career with us and make a difference.

We are looking for a new team member as an Apprentice Data Protection Support Assistant.

• Working hours: 35 hours / Monday - Friday. 
• Hybrid role: Your base will be at either our Horsham, West Sussex or London Hub.
• Depending on your experience, the maximum expectation to visit our office for this role will be once a month, and this is open to flex around you and the operation.

*This role is a 24 month fixed term contract*

Take a look at our Digital Apprenticeship booklet to learn more about our apprenticeship opportunities and what it's like to join the RSPCA as one of our  apprentices.

• Apprenticeship Programme: This apprenticeship vacancy has been paired with Level 3 Business Administration
• Apprenticeship Training Provider: Chichester College
• Delivery Model: Remote/Virtual Delivery with some face to face visits.

Entry requirements: 

• Certificates demonstrating Maths & English at Grade C / 4 or above (or equivalent)
• Candidates must have resided in the UK for the last 3 years to be eligible for this apprenticeship vacancy
• Candidates who have already completed an equivalent or higher level qualification within the same subject area are unfortunately unable to complete this apprenticeship programme.

If you are successful and secure an interview, we will require you to complete a task as part of the interview process.

It's important to us that you feel part of our team from the start. We like to keep in touch with regular check-ins and team meetings. There's always a teammate around for support or a quick chat.

Are you ready to join our movement?

Here at RSPCA no two days are the same, as an Apprentice Data Protection Support Assistant,  we've added a short summary of what a typical day might look like, for a full insight please refer to the attached job description.

You will provide administrative support to the Data Protection Team, the postholder will have great people and organisation skills and be a strong communicator.

The role will involve detailed work where personal/sensitive information is held and we'd require you to have strong attention to detail, accuracy, security and confidentiality, given the nature of the material being dealt with.

Day to day, you will be:

• Monitoring and assisting with the team email inboxes and database used for every day Data Protection work related matters
• Answering the Data Protection Team's general phone line for any Data Protection matters
• Record/log requests for disclosure of information, requests for advice/guidance, subject access requests and breaches onto the appropriate tracking sheets
• Create and assist with managing electronic files on our Google Drive, along with handling retention and deletion of data
• Prepare routine correspondence
• Handling incoming and outgoing post
• Work closely with all of the Data Protection team members and understand when matters need to be referred to them for clarification and instruction and when matters can be progressed independently
• Assist the Data Protection team in responding to information-related requests e.g. requests for disclosure of information etc and responding within the legal timeframes set
• Order supplies and book registrations e.g. training courses, workshops, meetings and processing invoices
• Make travel arrangements when required e.g. train tickets and hotel bookings
• Coordinate internal and external meetings.

To be successful in this role, you must have:

• GCSEs Grade C/4-5 or above in both English and Maths
• Experience using Google Suite
• Ability to handle confidential information and highly sensitive data appropriately
• Have good communication and organisational skills with the ability to maintain strong working relationships
• Able to prioritise tasks effectively to meet any specified deadlines 
• Able to work under pressure and remain resilient to changing organisational requirements
• A high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
• Proactive and have great enthusiasm to learn
• Be an all around team player, along with being a strong self starter when working alone.

Successful candidates for certain RSPCA roles will need to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK - We are unable to sponsor visas at RSPCA.

Due to high interest in some of our roles, we review applications as they are received. This can occasionally result in positions closing earlier than advertised. Therefore, we strongly recommend submitting applications early.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applications after the posted closing date.

We want to ensure we do all we can to give you a positive candidate experience through our recruitment. Whilst we do try to give feedback where we can, sometimes due to receiving high levels of applications, this may not always be possible.

We are building the future of a diverse Society, and our priority is to support animal welfare by finding people from all backgrounds who are committed  to our mission.  For this reason we actively encourage a wide diversity of applications - in particular from members of minority ethnic groups, and people with disabilities - as these candidates are currently under-represented at the RSPCA. Your transferable skills & lived experiences could make you a valuable addition to our RSPCA Family! 

Should you need any support with your application or interview process please contact resourcingteam@rspca.org.uk / 0300 123 0685.

Our mission is to ensure animals have a good life by rescuing and caring for those in need, by advocating on behalf of all animals and by inspiring everyone to treat them with compassion and respect.