The Junior Data Protection Officer (DPO) plays a pivotal role in supporting the organization’s adherence to data protection laws and regulations, particularly the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the UK Data Protection Act 2018, as well as relevant international regulations. This role is fundamental in safeguarding personal data of individuals, including customers, employees, and other stakeholders, thereby maintaining the organization’s reputation for data privacy and trustworthiness.
Key Responsibilities:
Regulatory Compliance:
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Assist in ensuring compliance with GDPR, the UK Data Protection Act, and other relevant data protection laws across various office locations.
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Support the development and maintenance of data protection policies, procedures, and related documentation.
Data Subject Rights:
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Help manage and respond to data subject access requests (DSARs) and other rights requests, such as requests for rectification, erasure, and restriction of processing.
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Ensure timely and accurate responses to these requests in line with legal requirements.
Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs):
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Assist in conducting and documenting DPIAs for new projects, systems, or processes involving personal data.
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Identify potential data protection risks and recommend mitigation measures.
Training and Awareness:
Incident Response:
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Support the investigation and management of data breaches and other data protection incidents.
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Assist in reporting data breaches to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and affected data subjects when necessary.
Record Keeping:
Liaison and Communication:
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Serve as a point of contact for data protection queries from employees, customers, and other stakeholders.
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Collaborate with departments such as IT, HR, and Legal to ensure organization-wide data protection compliance.
Audits and Reviews:
Qualifications:
Knowledge of Data Protection Laws and Regulations:
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Comprehensive understanding of GDPR and the UK Data Protection Act 2018.
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Awareness of other relevant laws such as the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and international privacy laws.
Technical Skills:
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Ability to assist in conducting Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and maintaining Records of Processing Activities (ROPA).
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Skills in managing and responding to data breaches and other data protection incidents.
Analytical Skills:
Ethical Judgment and Integrity:
Preferred Qualifications:
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Professional Certifications: CIPP/E, CIPM, CIPT, BCS/ISEB Certificate in Data Protection (desirable but not mandatory).
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Educational Background: Degree in Law, Information Technology, Business, Compliance, or a related field.
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Previous Work Experience: Experience in data protection, privacy, compliance, legal, or related areas, including handling DSARs, policy implementation, incident management, stakeholder interaction, and training initiatives