Data Privacy Specialist

Job Description

UN Global Pulse UN Global Pulse (UNGP) is an initiative of the Executive Office of Secretary-General (EOSG) founded in 2009. We work in support of the Secretary-General’s priorities, in advancement of the UN Charter. UNGP serves as a cross-pillar lead and hub for experimentation and digital innovation. We have a globally distributed team in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. The teams work with digital innovation, strategic foresight, real-time data and artificial intelligence to further sustainable development, humanitarian and peace outcomes. Our vision is ‘A world in which responsible and inclusive digital innovation serves to empower people and protect the planet’. Our mission is to work at the intersection of digital innovation and science to inform, inspire and support the entire UN and those it serves, to anticipate and respond to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

The goals of the UNGP Network are: i) to generate knowledge, capabilities and approaches that support the transformation of the United Nations into a more agile and resilient ‘next-generation’ institution; ii) to create and accelerate the development of globally accessible approaches that help communities and partners anticipate and address emerging global challenges; and iii) to advocate for the global transformation of policies, practices and culture required to maximize the impact of digital innovation, minimize its risk of harm, and ensure pathways to scale and sustainability.

Global Pulse’s GDAI is an initiative managed by UNOPS and the Executive Office of the Secretary General (EOSG) and across Pulse Labs that brings together UN agencies and private, public, and social sector partners for the development of data and AI products as digital public goods (DPGs). GDAI aspires to catalyze the formation of a cohesive and responsibly open ecosystem of data and AI products and services that reduces inefficiencies in the development of digital solutions for sustainable development and humanitarian action—with an initial focus on natural disaster response and recovery—to accelerate attainment of the sustainable development goals.

The Data Privacy Specialist is a key role, instrumental for the success of GDAI, and advises on the responsible use of data and AI in order to minimize the risk of data misuse reduce the missed use of data, avoid the opportunity cost incurred due lack of access and use of data, and minimize ethical and human rights risks associated with the development and use of AI, while contributing to realizing and maximizing the data and AI potential for public benefit. With experience in data and AI governance, the Data Privacy Specialist will be accountable for the development of the GDAI data and AI governance framework and for promoting responsible and ethical AI and data use and data sharing. Under the supervision of the GDAI Strategy Lead and in collaboration with the GDAI project manager, the Data Privacy Specialist will identify relevant policies, legislations and regulations related to data governance, data protection and privacy, AI ethics and governance, and related topics given the geographies of current and future operation of GDAI and will develop a data and AI governance framework for GDAI. This will include the development of a data sharing legal framework to streamline on-boarding of GDAI platform users and data sharing across the platform and a roadmap to incorporate data protection and privacy protections within the GDAI implementation plan. The Data Privacy Specialist will also serve as an advocate for the responsible and ethical use of data to shape current dialogue towards a more equitable and inclusive future so as to ensure that no one is left behind. The Data Privacy Specialist will work in collaboration with the GDAI Technology Lead to advise on the adoption and implementation of best-in-class privacy-by-design approaches. Working with a variety of contributors, from data engineers and data scientists to front-end developers and data and AI ethics experts, the Data Privacy Specialist will take a proactive approach in surfacing requirements for responsible and ethical AI and data use and data sharing and will adopt a solutions-oriented mindset throughout collaboration.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a new initiative and to shape the direction of data and AI products as digital public goods to enable the development of digital solutions for impact at scale. The incumbent of this position will be a personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of functions:

1. Responsible for the development of the GDAI data and AI governance framework

2. Oversee the development of data sharing arrangements between GDAI stakeholders

3. Advise on data protection & privacy issues and best practices

4. Provide guidance on GDAI implementation

5. Promote responsible and ethical data sharing

6. Promote cross teams collaboration among UNGP project team and partner teams.

1. Responsible for the development of the GDAI data and AI governance framework

• Conduct policy and legal research of relevant regulatory and legislative frameworks, including as they relate to data governance, data protection and privacy, open data, AI ethics, and governance, etc.

• Balance the need to minimize risks of data misuse and the cost of inaction/missed use of data, and recommend responsible data sharing approaches that maximize data potential

• Working with the GDAI team, is responsible for the development of the GDAI data and AI governance framework, along with a roadmap for its implementation

• Oversee the development of policies, tools, and processes as relevant to implement the data and AI governance framework

2. Oversee the development of data sharing arrangements between GDAI stakeholders

• Identify best practices and innovative approaches to facilitate and enable efficient data sharing among data exchange platform users

• Is responsible for developing a data sharing framework to streamline on-boarding of GDAI platform users and data sharing across the platform

• Oversee the development of policies, tools, and templates, including the development of standard data sharing agreements and licenses as relevant to implement the data sharing framework

• Provide guidance on relationship development with data sharing partners and liaise with the Partnership team to the GDAI team

• Work with partners to advance innovative approaches to data sharing agreements and securing sustainable data access

3. Advise on data protection & privacy issues and best practices

• Identify applicable data protection and privacy requirements deliver analysis of their impact on GDAI product development

• Conduct data protection impact assessments, identify risks associated with the development of the GDAI data access and processing platform, and propose mitigation measures

• Research and identify data protection and privacy by design approaches and best practices, and, working with the Platform Lead and the Technology Lead, provide advice to the GDAI team on the adoption of appropriate privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs), such as privacy-preserving computation, etc.

• Shape the relevant data protection and privacy protections within the GDAI product implementation plan

• Oversee development of appropriate policies, tools, and processes as they relate to data protection and privacy

4. Provide guidance on GDAI implementation

• Onboard, guide, and supervise the work of contributors from within Global Pulse and across partner organizations with regard to data and AI governance and data protection/privacy, some of whom may join for shorter periods on rotation

• Serve as a data and AI governance and data protection and privacy advisor to the GDAI team, recognize and bring to bear the expertise of contributors to arrive at high quality decisions as a team

• Advise on the development of GDAI’s use cases and data products to ensure responsible, sustainable and ethical data sharing, including respect for data protection and privacy

• Proactively seek to bring in expertise and insights on data and AI governance and responsible and ethical data sharing by convening internal focused groups and drive towards identification of solutions

5. Promote responsible and ethical data sharing

• Conduct research to identify barriers and risks to data sharing and propose solutions to promote responsible and ethical data sharing

• Serve as an advocate for the responsible and ethical use of data to shape current dialogue towards a more equitable and inclusive future

• Convene, identify, and contribute to working groups, panels, initiatives and communities of practice on issues related to data governance, data exchanges and data sharing, data protection and privacy, etc.

• Organize and contribute to UN and non-UN events and forum to promote GDAI and promote global solutions for responsible and ethical data sharing

• Contribute to publications on related topics

6. Promote cross teams collaboration among UNGP project team and partner teams

• Proactively seek to identify and overcome pain points, keep lines of communication with the other GDAI Leads very open

• Contribute to a positive, can-do team culture and attitude

Impact of Results

The effective and successful achievement of project objectives and in particular of the Global Data Access Initiative will position UNOPS’ Global Pulse project and its regional hub in Asia-Pacific as a capable, trusted, and trustworthy voice in digital equity and as an advocate for a fair digital common. This promotes the image of UNOPS as an effective service provider and leader in digital innovation and enhances UNOPS’ competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services at the global, regional, and local level.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• An advanced university degree in public administration, law, political science, computer sciences or other relevant field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with 2 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 (five) years of progressive experience in data protection and privacy; data/AI governance; or related disciplines on ethical/legal aspects of frontier technologies is required.
• Experience in a project management position in the field of data or AI governance or data protection and privacy is an asset;
• Familiarity with local, regional, and global data governance, AI, data protection and privacy regulatory and legislative frameworks is an asset;
• Familiarity with data governance, data exchanges, data markets, data trusts and similar concepts is asset;
• Proven expertise in conducting risk assessments and data protection and privacy impact assessments and developing mitigation plan and assisting product development team in its implementation is an asset;
• Working experience in the context of data partnerships development and management is an asset;
• Prior experience in drafting legal data sharing agreements, data and technology licenses, and similar legal documentation is an asset;
• Experience in policy research and drafting policy recommendations on issues related to digital transformation is an asset;
• Technical expertise or familiarity in the area of AI or data science or related technical fields, including data innovation for social good is an asset;
• Prior experience with people management is an asset;
• Previous working experience working with the UN system is an asset

Language Requirements:

• Full working knowledge of English is required;

• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

1. Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA)
2. Contract level: ICS 10/IICA-2
3. Contract duration: 12 months with possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Disclaimer: In duty stations where the NPO category has been established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), a Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) will be issued for a home-based contract.

About the Organization

Background Information - UNOPS

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors, and United Nations organizations.

South East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO)

The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries South East Asia - 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines. EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine business units: SEMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia, EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Lao PDR, EAPMCO Philippines and EAPMCO Cambodia.

In 2022, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 95.7 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.

The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself.