Data Protection Specialist
Data Protection Specialist
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Job Description
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
13 September 2025-23:59-GMT01:00 Central European Time (Rome)WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race colour national origin ethnic or social background genetic information gender gender identity and/or expression sexual orientation religion or belief HIV status or disability.
ABOUT WFP
The World Food Programme is the worlds largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict disasters and the impact of climate change.
At WFP people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse committed skilled and high performing teams selected on merit operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment living WFPs values (Integrity Collaboration Commitment Humanity and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.
To learn more about WFP visit our website: follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok.
WHY JOIN WFP
WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
WFP offers a highly inclusive diverse and multicultural working environment.
WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training accreditation coaching mentorship and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country regional and global offices around the world and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).
ABOUT WFP The World Food Programme is the worlds largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict disasters and the impact of climate change.
At WFP people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse committed skilled and high performing teams selected on merit operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment living WFPs values (Integrity Collaboration Commitment Humanity and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves. To learn more about WFP visit our website: and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok.
WHY JOIN WFP
WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
- WFP offers a highly inclusive diverse and multicultural working environment.
- WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training accreditation coaching mentorship and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
- A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country regional and global offices around the world and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
- We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
This position is located in the Global Privacy Office (GPO) of the World Food Programme Headquarters in Rome Italy.
WFP is on a focused path towards digitally transforming how it operates and how it best serves those in need so that it can accelerate the goal of achieving zero hunger by 2030. Data Protection is at the core of these services to make sure we protect the people we serve.
Under the supervision of WFPs Global Data Protection Officer (DPO) the Data Protection Specialist will provide technical and operational support as part of the WFP Global Privacy Office and will play a role in the roll out of WFPs Privacy Program across all division-wide organization.
As Data Protection Specialist the incumbent will support multiple initiatives where the development has already taken place; he/she will be expected to manage the day-to-day delivery by working with a broad range of colleagues partners and internal stakeholders.
MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Support in developing implementing and operationalizing Data Protection and Privacy policies governance mechanisms procedures and tools to maximize program efficiency and comprehensive roll out across WFP different divisions and offices.
2. Review current WFPs policy and governance framework (e.g. policies guidelines and toolkits) to adapt them to WFPs Privacy Program and corporate operational needs.
3. Draft SOPs/ position papers/guidance as well as conduct legal research and documentation activities with the objective of keeping abreast of key global Data Protection developments trends and regulations on personal Data Protection and Privacy (e.g. biometrics digital identities blockchain big data) and its impact on the humanitarian environment.
4. Provide consistent advice to HQ divisions regional bureaus and field offices on a variety of issues in the context of Data Protection and Privacy identifying needs and priorities arising out of the interpretation or application of WFP principles policies guidelines relevant international standards conventions and best practices on Personal Data Protection and Privacy.
5. Support the Data Protection Office in operationalizing the different elements of WFPs Data Protection and Privacy Program (e.g. privacy notices PIAs register of processing LIAs training and awareness campaigns SARs and data breach response mechanisms).
6. Prepare and/or review Data Protection and Privacy agreements and contracts with public and private entities to meet unique client needs.
7. Proactively contribute to continuously improve systems tools processes and templates to align them to WFPs operational needs.
8. Provide support in the development of reporting mechanisms to allow monitoring of Data Protection and Privacy activities and identify related risks and gaps and support remediation.
9. Document track and report relevant program metrics and milestones on the implementation of the Privacy Program.
10. Prepare Notes for the Record reports memoranda talking points and correspondence on data protection issues as required.
11. Conduct training and awareness activities as required.
12. Perform any other related duties as required.
SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education:
- Advanced university degree in relevant discipline (including but not limited to law computer science information technology) or related field with relevant work experience.
- LLM or Master of Law on data protection privacy computer and communications law compliance international digital or media law.
- Knowledge of international security management systems industry standards (ISO 27001 ISO 27701 NIST) desired.
Required Experience:
- At least 3 years of responsible professional experience in Data protection Privacy and Information Security in a law/ consultancy firm and/or large public/private sector organization on Data Protection.
- Experience in implementing Privacy and Data Protection compliance programs operations and/or risk management programs in large corporations.
- Experience in conducting PIAs LIAS maintaining records of processing activities of incident response management and SARs mechanisms drafting contracts SOPs policies and guidelines.
- Experience working in a global large-scale complex and fast-paced environments.
- Experience in roles that demand accuracy and quality prioritization and execution against timelines. Experience working autonomously with minimal supervision and as part of a team well as to cooperate within a team across different regions and time zones.
Knowledge & Skills:
- In depth knowledge of Data protection Privacy and Information Security regulations international security standards and specific key legal issues;
- Understanding of information technologies and their impact in the protection of personal data (e.g. privacy by design and by default AI big data biometric technologies digital identities blockchain SNSs);
- Ability to identify Data Protection related risks and gaps based on local legal environment developments and projects;
- Ability to contribute to large cross-functional projects;
- Strong analytical interpersonal communications and presentational skills;
Excellent drafting skills with the ability to write concisely and synthetize information from a variety of legal and jurisprudential sources;
- Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and diplomatic skills;
- Ability to work harmoniously with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
- Ability to plan and organize work programme with pre-defined
reporting lines;
- Effectiveness orientation and pro-activity;
- Strong sense of responsibility confidentiality and accountability.
Languages:
Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic Chinese French Russian Spanish and/or WFPs working language.
WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK
WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.
Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation please contact:
NO FEE DISCLAIMER
The United Nations does not charge any application processing training interviewing testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee please disregard it. Furthermore please note that emblems logos names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate complete and includes your employment records academic qualifications language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
Once your profile is completed please apply and submit your application.
Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
Additional documents such as passport recommendation letters academic certificates etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
Please contact us at in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified
All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs job requirements merit and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse all forms of discrimination any kind of harassment sexual harassment and abuse of authority. Therefore all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) FAO Finance Committee WFP External Auditor WFP Audit Committee Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
Employment Type
Full-Time
