FOI Officer (Open Competition)

A. Details                

Position: FOI Officer

Reports to: Data Protection FOI Manager

Grade: Executive Officer

Whole Time Equivalent: Part-time 0 .5 -17.5 hours per week (2.5 days)

Duration: Permanent

Role Closing Date: 12 noon, Monday 7th of September, 2026.

B. Department Role Overview:

The Arts Council is the national government agency for funding, developing and promoting the arts in Ireland. Its role is to advocate, advise, invest and work in partnership with others, to cultivate a vibrant arts environment at the heart of Irish society.

An FOI Officer is required to assist in the Arts Council’s statutory function of the processing of Freedom of Information requests. This involves liaising with relevant colleagues, government departments/agencies and third party organisations as appropriate, communicating with requestors, and ensuring co-ordinated responses in a timely, specific and confidential manner.

C. Key Responsibilities

• Liaise with The Arts Council’s FOI decision-makers and key stakeholders to ensure all FOI legislative and regulatory procedures are adhered to as well as consistency in discharging The Arts Council’s FOI functions;

• To conduct internal research to locate all paper and electronic records held that relate to FOI requests;

• Work with decision makers to review and assess information to ensure accurate and legally compliant decisions are made regarding the disclosure or nondisclosure of information;

• Work with decision makers to come to appropriate decisions and the use of exemptions to withhold information, where that is the appropriate course of action;

• Regular review and updating of the FOI Publication Scheme and Disclosures Log, in particular review the OIC annual report;

• Tracking all matters relevant to FOI, including managing documentation;

• Active assistance and co-ordination of FOI internal reviews, by preparing case files, supporting internal reviewers and providing guidance on preparing correspondence when required.

• Regular reporting and further development of KPIs around FOIs.

• Assist with FOI training for staff.

Note: Arts Council roles and responsibilities are subject to change as per on-going and future organisational requirements and developments.

D.  Skills Knowledge and Experiences

• Proven ability and expertise in the area of FOI, strong understanding of the Freedom of Information Act and its application including exemptions;

• Prior training in FOI is essential;

• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, including the ability to gather and analyse reports and plans;

• Strong record keeping skills and ability to work to deadlines.

• Ability to express self in a clear, polite and articulate manner when speaking and in writing;

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the capacity to deal with situations requiring diplomacy and tact;

• Exceptional self-starter with the ability to work on their own initiative;

• A commitment to high standards of public service.