Data Protection Officer

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Data Protection Officer
Location: Rome
Country: Italy
Deadline Date:

Job Details

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 commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to its strategic objectives and operations, focusing on improving agricultural productivity, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable management of natural resources.

Job Overview:
The Data Protection Officer position is situated within the Data Protection Unit (DPU) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. This role is crucial for providing analytical and technical advice on data protection matters across the organization. The officer will be responsible for the planning, management, and delivery of multi-disciplinary data protection activities, ensuring compliance with the FAO Data Protection Policy. The officer will work closely with various units within FAO, including the Legal Office and the Digitalization and Informatics Division, to address a wide range of data protection issues. The position requires a proactive approach to developing and conducting sensitization and awareness-raising activities, as well as participating in working groups and meetings to promote data protection best practices.

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

• Providing advice to various units within FAO to support compliance with the 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 to address diverse data protection matters.
• Advising the Senior Data Protection Officer on the analysis and evaluation of requests and complaints from data providers.
• Coordinating secretariat support for the Data Protection Oversight Committee.
• Developing and conducting training and awareness-raising activities related to data protection.
• Participating in working groups, meetings, seminars, and conferences as assigned.
• Establishing and maintaining tools and processes for managing DPU records.
• Performing other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in a relevant discipline, such as law, computer science, or information technology. Additionally, data protection certifications like Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP), Certified Privacy Manager (CIPM), or Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT) are required. Candidates should have at least seven years of relevant experience in various data protection disciplines, including data protection laws, information governance, and incident response. A strong understanding of data ethics, data retention, and privacy by design is also essential. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in English and have intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in a relevant field. This could encompass disciplines such as law, computer science, information technology, or related areas that provide a strong foundation for understanding data protection and privacy issues. Additionally, candidates are expected to hold relevant data protection certifications, which validate their expertise in the field.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in various data protection disciplines. This includes experience in developing and implementing data protection frameworks, compliance with data protection laws, and managing data protection programs. Candidates should have a proven track record of working in international environments, whether in public or private sectors, and experience in providing training and raising awareness about data protection issues is highly desirable. Experience in field positions or in multiple locations is also beneficial.

Languages:
Candidates must have a working knowledge of English at proficiency level C and intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) at level B. Proficiency in additional FAO official languages is considered a strong asset and may enhance a candidate's suitability for the role.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Rome, Italy, at the FAO headquarters. It is essential for candidates to demonstrate integrity and adherence to the highest ethical standards, as well as the capacity to deliver objective advice while maintaining confidentiality. The role is full-time and involves collaboration with various stakeholders within the organization. The FAO offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional development and engagement in international data protection initiatives.