Homeoffice Data Protection and Governance Lead (Home Based) - [Open to All applicants] at United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Development Programme · New York, United States Of America · Remote
- Senior
Background
UNDP is the development arm of the United Nations. Present in 170 countries with over 17,000 people, UNDP works on the world’s biggest challenges, from rising poverty and inequality to a rapidly changing climate, the emergence of crises and the continued degradation and destruction of our natural world. Our UNDP Digital Strategy 2022 – 2025 aims to support our partner countries to unlock the power of digital to tackle these pressing issues. The strategy lays out UNDP’s ambition to use a rights-based approach to digital technologies to improve our development results and help build inclusive digital ecosystems globally that leave no one behind.
In line with UNDP’s strategic commitment to remain at the forefront of development innovation and transformation, a new organizational structure – the Digital, AI and Innovation Hub – has been established within BPPS, effective 2 April 2025. This Hub consolidates the Chief Digital Office (CDO), Accelerator Labs, Strategic Innovation Unit (SIU), and selected elements of the SDG Integration team into a unified platform.
The Hub builds on years of foundational investment in digital transformation, grassroots innovation and data-driven development. It is designed to enhance coherence across programmes, strengthen organizational learning, and improve operational efficiency. Most importantly, it will serve as the central point of contact for governments and development partners seeking support on digital and systems transformation, working in close collaboration with regional bureau, country offices, and global policy teams.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Data Protection & Governance Lead is responsible for safeguarding personal data, ensuring compliance with international data governance standards, implementing robust data governance frameworks, and shaping the organization's strategic approach to emerging technologies (such as AI).
This role enhances data usage across UNDP's operations and programmes. The incumbent develops and enforces data protection policies, advises senior management on data-related matters, conducts privacy risk assessments, manages data breaches, and promotes a culture of responsible data within the organization.
Reporting into the Advisor, Data and Technology at the Digital, AI, and Innovation Hub, the incumbent will be responsible for below:
Responsibilities:
Lead Implementation Initiatives for Governance and Compliance
- Lead the implementation and review of UNDP’s Data Protection and Privacy policy, ensuring alignment with the United Nations Principles on Personal Data Protection and Privacy and international best-practice.
- Advise senior leadership on regulatory developments and emerging best practices in data governance, protection, and AI ethics.
- Work with the IT Management team to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place for data transfers and oversee the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to data retention, deletion, and breach management.
- Provide support in managing and responding to data subject access requests (DSARs) in compliance with internal policies.
Ensure Effective Data Protection and Risk Management (Operations)
- Conduct data protection impact assessments (DPIAs), providing strategic recommendations for risk mitigation.
- Identify and assess data protection and privacy risks across UNDP's global operations, working with relevant departments to mitigate these risks.
- Lead the development of a data breach management process, ensuring timely notifications and responses to breaches.
- Develop a repository of data processing activities and support the data mapping efforts to improve oversight of data handling practices within UNDP.
Lead the development of Responsible AI and Data Innovation Strategy
- Provide policy and ethical guidance on the use of artificial intelligence and algorithmic tools within UNDP programs and digital systems.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to integrate responsible AI principles, such as fairness, transparency, and accountability, into data strategy and project design.
- Support scenario planning and horizon scanning related to emerging technologies and their implications for data governance.
Advocacy, Thought Leadership and Knowledge Management
- Design and deliver training on data protection, responsible data use, and AI risk mitigation for staff and leadership.
- Promote a culture of data ethics, including principles like privacy-by-design, data minimization, and rights of data subjects.
- Raise awareness of data protection obligations, ensuring compliance with the UN’s data protection principles and related best practices.
- Collaborate with the Digital Capacity Building and the Digital & AI Programmes team to offer subject matter expertise and support in developing data governance training modules for both country offices and government stakeholders.
- Establish and manage monitoring systems to ensure compliance with data governance and protection frameworks.
- Report on data privacy compliance to senior management, providing insights and recommendations for improvement based on trends and lessons learned.
Ensure Effective Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as a key contact point for internal and external inquiries related to data protection and AI policy within UNDP.
- liaise with other UN agencies, legal entities, and external organizations to ensure UNDP’s compliance with evolving data protection and privacy frameworks.
- Actively engage in inter-agency forums, working groups, and external engagements related to data protection, governance, and responsible AI.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
| Core | |
| Achieve Results: | LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact |
| Think Innovatively: | LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems |
| Learn Continuously: | LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences |
| Adapt with Agility: | LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands |
| Act with Determination: | LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results |
| Engage and Partner: | LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration |
| Enable Diversity and Inclusion: | LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity |
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
| Thematic Area | Name | Definition |
| Digital | Cyber and Data Privacy Security Risk Management | Ability to anticipate, prepare and respond to potential Risks and issues that may result in Data breach that can cause potential identity theft and personal harm and can also negatively impact UNDP’s reputation. |
| Digital | Artificial intelligence thought leadership | Deep understanding of current and emerging trends in AI, along with their social, ethical, and economic implications, including data privacy and human rights. Familiarity with international laws and standards regarding technology, particularly in a multi-stakeholder environment like the UN. |
| Digital | Data privacy and digital ethics | Knowledge of ethical usage of digital technology (e.g. AI, robotics, automation) and data. Ability to assess ethical implications when using, combining or sharing data, when building or implementing AI systems, and when advising on robotisation and automation etc. Ability to design privacy protocols to ensure data is protected and used for legitimate purposes without unnecessary privacy risks. |
| Digital | Data governance | Knowledge of data science, skills to develop data management tools, organize and maintain databases and operate data visualization technologies. |
| Business Management | Project management | Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals |
| Business Direction & Strategy | System Thinking | Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system. |
| Business Management | Risk Management | Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks. |
Required Skills and Experience
| Min. Education requirements |
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| Min. years of relevant work experience |
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| Required skills |
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| Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section |
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| Required Language(s) |
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| Professional Certificates |
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Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
