Data Protection and Data Ethics Specialist

Job overview:

Do you have expertise in the safe and ethical management of clients’ personal data within the humanitarian or development sectors? Do you want to use this experience to improve the way in which one of the world’s largest iNGOs manages its data? This could be the role for you!

In order to deliver its services, IRC collects data about our clients, including data that is highly sensitive such as health, vulnerability and demographic information, as well as data about which services someone uses. IRC is significantly growing our use of electronic tools to collect and manage this data. While this offers huge opportunities in terms of security, efficiency and analysis, it also offers potential risks and challenges. In order to meet our moral, legal and compliance obligations, it is critical that all staff handling data understand how to do so safely (ensure data is collected and stored securely and only accessed and processed by those who need it and have appropriate training) and ethically (ensuring data is collected only where it is needed, and can be collected in a safe and dignified manner). This role will support the development of policy, procedure and training related to data protection and ethics

Responsibilities:

1. Assess current data protection practice:

• Review a sample of current information management practices to understand how staff are typically trained and managed on data protection and ethics, and where current policy and guidance is adhered to
• Conduct Key Informant Interviews with staff in roles with data protection responsibilities to assess current onboarding and oversight mechanisms, understanding and perceived importance and relevance of current policies and guidance
• Where specific concerns about practice are identified, provide short term targeted support to in-country, regional and technical unit colleagues to address identified data protection risks

1. Improve relevant policies and guidance:

• Liaise with relevant colleagues to identify all relevant policies and guidance
• Review selected material, highlighting areas where they conflict, are out of date or where there are gaps in IRC’s approach
• Redraft relevant materials in line with above recommendations
• Develop an uptake strategy for new policies and guidance, including communications sharing new materials with relevant team members in HQ and country and regional offices, identifying where mandatory training should take place, and agreeing roles and responsibilities for cascading information and following up with key stakeholders.

1. Develop training materials. These will consist of a standard course for all staff, materials for guided conversations between staff and managers, and other reference documents.

• Identify staff to target for training.
• Develop learning content: synthesizing existing relevant material and filling in gaps where necessary
• Participate in course pilot and rollout of additional materials.

Key working relationships:

Position Reports to Sr Director, Measurement Unit.

Position directly supervises: None.

Works closely with:

• Learning and Training Advisor – Measurement Unit
• Director of Data and Monitoring – Measurement Unit
• Regional Measurement Advisors
• Measurement Unit IT teams
• MEAL Focal Points – Technical Units (Health, Education, Violence Prevention and Response, Economic Recovery & Wellbeing and Governance)
• Delegated focal points from Legal, Information Security, Awards Management,

Requirements:

Essential:

• Formal training in data protection/ethics, whether a dedicated course or a degree in which data protection and management is routinely taught (such as healthcare, law, social work, information management).
• Four to six years’ experience of records management or other role handling sensitive data, preferably in a multinational organization or similar environment;
• Experience of reviewing and drafting organizational policy and guidance;
• Familiarity with data ethics principles across frameworks such as data equity or data feminism
• Strong written communication and verbal presentation skills;
• Consistent track record of working with diverse groups of people in a multicultural environment;
• Proficiency in English (written and speaking) crucial. Proficiency in Spanish, Arabic or French, or working in multi-lingual environments an advantage
• Experience of developing training content, or delivering training a significant advantage.
• Experience of working on multi-departmental projects an advantage

Preferred

• Experience using Articulate 360 (Storyline, Rise) or similar platforms to develop e-learning content

At IRC – we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment.

We acknowledge and honor the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other human demographic.