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Position: Information Commissioner – Data Privacy Director
Reports to: Head of NEOM Infrastructure
Sector: Neom Interim Authority
Job Location: Sharma, KSA
Role Purpose:
The NEOM Data Protection Administration (the DPA) upholds data protection rights across the NEOM Regulatory and Economic Freezone Zone in Saudi Arabia, and has responsibility for regulatory governance over, monitoring and independent enforcement of the NEOM Data Protection Law and Data Protection Regulations. The DPA is led by the Administrator – the role for which this job description has been created . In other regions, this role is often titled the Information or Privacy Commissioner.
The DPA is a component of the NEOM Authority, which is aiming to disrupt existing models for governance and set a new regulatory standard in the world. It will institutionalize the Authority of the Future, which is digitally native, adaptive, lean but also citizen and business centric.
Following NEOM’s vision, the DPA aims to be a front-runner in the regulatory field of data protection, becoming the world’s most forward-looking, digitalised, and efficient DPA. In line with this vision, the NEOM DPA should also be innovative and effective, adopt an outcome and risk-based approach and enable responsible use of the world’s most advanced technologies.
The Administrator will be an outstanding individual, who will provide executive and thought leadership, strategic direction for the DPA, and will be ultimately accountable for all responsibilities, powers and tasks conferred to the DPA by the NEOM Data Protection Law.
Through their leadership, the DPA will be at the forefront of regulatory best practice – delivering effective and practical data protection for individuals, whilst empowering responsible, ethical data use and accountable innovation.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & ACTIVITIES :
The Administrator provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the NEOM Data Protection Authority (the DPA) and is ultimately accountable for all responsibilities, powers and tasks conferred to the DPA by the NEOM Data Protection Legislation.
The Administrator makes decisions on issues of strategic importance to the DPA, aligning its activities to its aspiration of becoming a world leading, digital regulator. The Administrator will focus on an outcome-based and participatory approach using co-regulatory tools –such as regulatory sandboxes.
Considering the strategic value of data and the opportunities that lie in accountable innovation and the use of emerging technologies, the Administrator will lead a strategy that fosters responsible and ethical uses of personal data and ensures high standards of digital transparency and protection of personal data, in order to drive growth across the NEOM economy.
Representing NEOM’s long term vision of international regulatory leadership, the Administrator will build and maintain excellent relationships with key stakeholders including controllers, business service providers, innovators and entrepreneurs, NEOM and Base Economy Authorities, public interest groups, and international counterparts.
Key Accountabilities
- Oversee the implementation of the DPA’s strategies, services and operating model, in line with its regulatory mandate
- Lead the promotion of NEOM’s innovative data protection regime to all interested parties, including individuals, businesses, and other regulatory bodies
- Supervise the grant of exceptions or approvals for specific processing activities
- Provide executive leadership to the operations of the DPA’s three divisions:
- Privacy Technology and Innovation
- Regulation & Enforcement Activity
- Regulatory Strategy
- Be accountable for carrying out all powers and responsibilities under the NEOM Data Protection Law and Regulations
- Report the DPA’s activities and significant developments to the NEOM Governor
- Coordinate and cooperate with relevant Base Economy (KSA) Authorities
- Create and facilitate advisory committees and bodies
- Coordinate development of regulatory strategy and annual public reports
- Enter into international agreements relating to cross-border data transfers
- Represent the DPA internationally, including maintaining international relations with other regulators and the (international) business sector, and identifying where the DPA can best contribute to data protection best practice globally
- Supervise the delegation of powers and the appointment of DPA personnel
BACKGROUND, SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
This is an exceptionally high-profile and demanding role. As such, the Administrator must have the knowledge, experience and skills appropriate to the seniority and responsibilities of the role, including:
- Experience working at a strategic level of public or commercial affairs in the area of data protection law, policy and compliance within a range of jurisdictions globally
- A successful track record of credible and strategic executive leadership and stakeholder management skills, building and maintaining effective and efficient teams
- Extensive international experience, including representing organizations at fora and conferences, and building international relationships with stakeholders from private and public sectors alike
- Strong business and technology acumen in the context of their application to innovative and high-risk data processing
- The ability to make sound, independent judgements and decisions under pressure and, where necessary, to defend these against internal and external challenge
- Strong financial and performance management skills, including the ability to deliver value for money and achieve operational excellence
- Demonstrated experience in policy creation and execution of strategies
Qualifications And Experience.
- Degree in Law, Public Administration and Policy, or other relevant education
- Experience in a high-profile executive role, preferably leading a function within a regulator or public sector agency (in data protection or a parallel regulatory sector), or in a corporate environment with relevant regulatory experience
Benefits
- Free Accommodation.
- Free Laundry and housekeeping.
- Free transportation.
- 2 flights per month domestic round trip.
- 1 Annual Travel Allowance.
- Relocation Flight.
- Free Meals ( breakfast, lunch, dinner ).
- Schooling – 60K SAR per child up to 3 children.
- Bonus 20-30% annual (performance based).
- Savings Plan ( Long-term incentive plan ).
- Medical insurance ( VVIP health coverage), for Employee, Family & Parents.
- Annual Leave 30 working days annual.
- Remote Working 24 working days annual
