Data Privacy and Protection Specialist

Job Description
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Data Privacy Specialist (SME) to join our Data Privacy and Protection Centre of Excellence (CoE) with FirstRand. This role is pivotal in strengthening our data privacy and protection capabilities across the organisation. Hello future Data Privacy and Protection Technical SME

FirstRand believes that its people are its single most important resource and will not operate in a sector unless it has people who are right for that market and who share FirstRand’s business values. We recruit self-starters who have a passion for what they do. We empower them, hold them accountable and reward them appropriately. We value diversity in our people, particularly for the way that this contributes to innovative thinking. If you think you will flourish in our environment, and you believe you have the necessary skills and competencies for the position advertised, then we are looking for you!

Key Responsibilities :

Privacy Operations & Governance

- Represent the CoE and provide subject matter expertise in privacy for Information Governance, Data Privacy and Protection Risk Framework, PAIA, and Industry engagements across FirstRand.

- Support the evolution of FirstRand’s Privacy and PAIA program globally in alignment with international data protection frameworks and best practice.

- Draft, review, maintain, and harmonise privacy documentation, including internal procedures, notices, guidance, and training materials.

- Identify and assess potential privacy risks inherent in technical designs and implementations and contribute to implement privacy enhancing features and fixes.

- Maintain and oversee Data Privacy and PAIA risks, coordinating with stakeholders to ensure implementation of mitigation plans.

- Engage with data owners, architects, and product teams to embed privacy-by-design ( PdD ) principles generally. Collaborate with relevant teams to ensure PdD in the development and deployment of AI, analytics, and other emerging technologies.

- Contribute to the privacy risk assessments for AI and other innovative use cases for technology, data sharing, and automation tools.

- Support the automation of privacy operations to scale compliance and accelerate the responsible use of personal information across FirstRand. Oversee implementation, ongoing management, reporting, and quality control of privacy management platforms and tools. Collaborate with information security and information technology teams to align privacy technologies with security controls.

- Develop and maintain user guidelines and provide training on privacy platform functionality and best practices, including privacy assessments, records of processing activities ( RoPA ), third party risk assessments, incident management and PAIA management.

- Review governance and business requirements and define workflows and processes that support efficient privacy and PAIA management activities within FirstRand.

- Enhance and support the privacy incident management process, coordination efforts, investigations and root cause assessments.

- Conduct and advise on privacy and PAIA assurance, monitoring, and audit activities.

- Conduct and advise on data privacy impact assessments, third party risk assessments, and the management of RoPAs.

- Support development and appropriate management of Data Subject Rights' workflows.

- Establish and manage essential PAIA and Privacy management information dashboards and reporting tools. Track key metrics such as the number of Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs), incident volumes and trends, initiated and completed Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), vendor reviews, and other relevant data across FirstRand.

- Coordinate and deliver privacy training and awareness initiatives, ensuring global relevance and compliance with local regulations.

- Assess training needs by engaging stakeholders, reviewing incidents/metrics, and staying current on regulatory requirements and organizational changes.

Required Qualifications:

- Minimum: LLB, B.Com LLB, or Risk Management, Audit, or related field.

- Advantageous: CIPP/E, CIPM, CIPT, or similar.
Experience:

- 4–5 years in Data Privacy Programme Management, or related fields.

- Working knowledge of PAIA and POPIA and their practical application to access-to-information requests.

- Proven experience with data privacy laws, PAIA, compliance frameworks, and IT risk governance.

- Exposure to privacy issues related to AI, data analytics, or other emerging technologies is a strong advantage.

- Advantageous:
- Hands on experience with industry leading privacy management platforms and tools (e.g., OneTrust, TrustArc, Securiti, etc.).

- Governance, Risk and Compliance automation.

- Strong written communication, attention to detail and ability to operate within statutory deadlines.

Core Competencies:

- Ability to deliver practical, pragmatic, and creative privacy solutions.

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use metrics to drive improvement.

- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, with an ability to explain complex privacy and data protection issues to lay audiences.

- Proficiency in data privacy and protection, PAIA principles.

- Understanding of AI ethics and data governance frameworks.

- Familiarity with digitisation, legal advisory, and audit practices. Comfortable working with cross-functional teams across legal, compliance, technology, security, and first line operations.

- Strong case management, record-keeping and documentation capability.
You will have access to:

- Challenging work in a complex and exciting environment

- Opportunities to innovate and create efficiencies.

- Exposure to our direct SA operations and indirect Broader Africa, off-shore operations.

- undefined We can be a match if you are: Curious & courageous - you're driven by always wanting to know more and learn more and you're brave enough toStrong organisational and prioritisation skillsAbility lead through influence and relationship building.Obsessed with mastery - you know what it takes to become good at what you do and are constantly pushing yourself to do it.Strong administration skillsAre you interested to take the step? We look forward to engaging with you further. Apply now!

Important Closing Date Note

Take note that applications will not be accepted on the below date and onwards, kindly submit applications ahead of the closing date indicated below.
31/10/26
All appointments will be made in line with FirstRand Group’s Employment Equity plan. The Bank supports the recruitment and advancement of individuals with disabilities. In order for us to fulfill this purpose, candidates can disclose their disability information on a voluntary basis. The Bank will keep this information confidential unless we are required by law to disclose this information to other parties.