Data Protection Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. FAO's mission is to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, make agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable, reduce rural poverty, and enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. The organization employs thousands of professionals across various fields, including agriculture, nutrition, and environmental sustainability, and operates through a decentralized structure with regional and country offices.

Job Overview:
The Data Protection Officer position is situated within the Data Protection Unit (DPU) at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. The DPU functions independently under the Office of the Director-General (ODG) and is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the FAO Data Protection Policy. This role involves providing analytical and technical advice on data protection matters across all units of the organization. The Data Protection Officer will work closely with various departments to ensure compliance with data protection regulations and policies, and will be instrumental in managing multi-disciplinary data protection activities. The position requires a proactive approach to advising on data protection impact assessments, data sharing agreements, and the development of procedures and guidelines. The officer will also be responsible for coordinating with relevant units to address a wide range of data protection issues and will play a key role in raising awareness and conducting training on data protection within the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Data Protection Officer will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Providing expert advice to various units within the organization to ensure compliance with the FAO Data Protection Policy, including guidance on data protection impact assessments and data sharing agreements.
• Analyzing information and drafting reports and documents for the Governing Bodies and Senior Management as required.
• Coordinating with relevant units such as the Legal Office and the Digitalization and Informatics Division to address diverse data protection matters.
• Advising the Senior Data Protection Officer on the analysis and evaluation of requests and complaints from data providers, ensuring appropriate responses in collaboration with concerned FAO units.
• Coordinating the provision of secretariat support to the Data Protection Oversight Committee.
• Developing and conducting sensitization and awareness-raising activities related to data protection.
• Participating in working groups, meetings, seminars, and conferences as assigned.
• Advising on the establishment and maintenance of tools and processes for managing DPU records.
• Performing other duties as required to support the objectives of the DPU and the FAO.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as law, computer science, or information technology.
• Relevant data protection certifications, including but not limited to Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP), Certified Privacy Manager (CIPM), or Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT).
• A minimum of seven years of relevant experience in various data protection disciplines, including data protection and privacy programs, data protection laws, information governance, incident response, and data ethics.
• Proficiency in English (level C) and intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) (level B).

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree, specifically a Master's degree or equivalent, in a relevant field. This could encompass disciplines such as law, computer science, information technology, or other areas pertinent to data protection and privacy. The emphasis on advanced education underscores the complexity and importance of the role in managing data protection issues within the organization.

Experience:
Candidates are expected to have a significant level of experience, specifically a minimum of seven years in relevant fields related to data protection. This experience should encompass various aspects of data protection, including the development and compliance of data protection frameworks, as well as practical experience in applying data protection rules in international or national contexts. Experience in an international environment, whether in the public or private sector, is highly desirable, as it indicates familiarity with diverse regulatory landscapes and operational challenges.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is a working knowledge of English at proficiency level C. Additionally, candidates must possess intermediate knowledge (level B) of another FAO official language, which could be Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. Proficiency in another FAO official language beyond the mandatory requirement is considered a strong asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively within the organization and with its diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Rome, Italy, at the FAO headquarters. While the job description does not specify a deadline for applications, it is important for candidates to check the job posting link for any updates. The role is likely to be full-time, and given the nature of the organization, it may involve international recruitment. Compensation and benefits details are typically provided during the hiring process, and candidates should be prepared for a thorough assessment of their qualifications and experience.