CCF Data Protection Legal Officer

Vacancy Notice 728

INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization, with 196 Member Countries. Created in 1923, it facilitates cross-border police co-operation, and supports and assists all organizations, authorities, and services whose mission is to prevent or combat international crime. 

INTERPOL strives to achieve a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcomes applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. To achieve our Diversity goals, we encourage applications from women and nationals of under/unrepresented member countries who are passionate about our mission. INTERPOL’s recruitment process is merit-based hence all hiring decisions are made considering the applicant’s qualifications and the needs of the Organization.

Job Title: CCF Data Protection Legal Officer
Reporting To: Secretary to the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL's Files
Location: Lyon, France
Type of contract: Short-term Contract
Duration (in months): 12.00, with contract end date no later than 31 December 2025
Grade: 5   
Number of post: 1
Level of Security screening:  Enhanced
Deadline for application: 21 November 2024

For internal candidates holding fixed-term appointments, selection for this position will be treated as a Temporary Assignment.

Conditions applying for all candidates

Only professional experience for which candidates can provide official proof of employment will be considered. Candidates could be requested to provide copies of such official documents prior to interviews/test.

* This position has a temporary nature and carries, in principle, no expectation of renewal. Any potential subsequent extension will be subject to the terms of the Organization’s Staff Manual, to satisfactory performance and to availability of funds.

Tests/interviews in connection to this selection procedure will take place approximately two to three weeks after the deadline for applications. Applicants are kindly requested to plan their availability during this period accordingly, in case they are short-listed.

​Selected candidates will be expected to report for duty approximately two months after receiving an offer of employment at the latest.

This selection exercise may be used to generate a reserve list of suitable candidates that may be used to address Organization's similar staffing needs in the future.

POST OVERVIEW

Under the direct supervision of the Secretary of the Commission or his/her representative, the post holder provides legal support to the Commission and its activities. In particular, he provides legal expertise in Information and Communication Technology (ICT)/Data Protection Law, in accordance with the instructions provided to him/her. He/she contributes to the analysis of any INTERPOL project involving the processing of personal data, the drafting and implementation of the Commission’s decisions, and the assessment of legal risks associated with the Commission’s functions. He/she facilitates the work of the Commission within the Organization, represents it when needed, and participates in capacity building and support activities for the Commission when needed.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ACTIVITIES

DUTY 1: Ensuring compliance with ICT/data protection rules

• The post holder essentially assists the Supervisory and Advisory Chamber of the Commission in effectively carrying out its functions.
• The post holder conducts analytical and legal studies on ICT/data protection issues related to files assigned to him/her on matters or projects involving the processing of personal data through INTERPOL’s channels (such as new cooperation agreements between INTERPOL and private, public or international entities, new analytical files, new databases, new rules). He/she also conducts various checks to ensure compliance with rules of personal data processed through INTERPOL’s channels and to identify potential sources of risks. He/she looks for appropriate solutions to settle issues identified or mitigate risks.
• He/she monitors legal and business developments related to ICT/data protection, including enforcement of rules by national and international regulators, and the jurisprudence of national, regional or international courts in this area. He/she assesses their potential impact on the work of the Commission as a whole.
• He/she prepares drafts of conclusions of the Commission (decisions, opinions, and recommendations) on files assigned to him/her that he may be required to present to the Commission’s members. He/she follows-up/monitors their implementation (in particular when corrective measures have been decided). He/she also prepares general reports, minutes of meetings, internal rules and other documents intended for the Commission, the Organization’s bodies (General Secretariat, General Assembly and Executive Committee) or external entities in relation to ICT/data protection projects, following specific instructions laid down by the Secretary of the Commission or his/her representative.

DUTY 2: Processing of requests

• The post holder also supports the work of the Requests Chamber of the Commission. He/she analyzes, synthesizes, and finalizes individual requests assigned to him/her. In this context, he/she will have to correspond with requesting parties, IPSG and the NCBs for the proper administration of the cases assigned to him/her and to draft quasi-judicial decisions based on elements provided in the case, in light of INTERPOL’s and the Commission’s rules, of human rights principles and other international legal standards, and of the applicable national or regional law.
• He/she presents them for deliberation and adoption by the Commission usually during its sessions and ensures the follow-up their implementation.

DUTY 3: Transversal legal activities related to the work of the Commission

• He/she works across various functions relating to all activities of the Commission’s both Chambers with flexibility and comprehensive knowledge of the Commission’s rules and precedents.
• He/she carries out documentary research of a legal nature in a variety of areas for the information of the Secretary of the Commission, his/her representative or members of the Commission.
• He/she may be required to liaise with the General Secretariat, members of the Commission, or NCBs.
• He/she provides administrative and logistical support whenever necessary.
• He/she may also be required to take part in meetings, working groups, task forces and to represent the Commission, and speak at international conferences and meetings.

DUTY 4: Any other related duty

• He/she performs any other duties in accordance with instructions given by the Secretary of the Commission or his/her representative.

QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATION REQUIRED:

• Three-to-four years’ education at a University or other specialized higher education establishment in Law.
• Master's, LLM, LLD or equivalent in Law would be an asset.
• Specialization in data protection desirable.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• At least three years of working experience in the relevant field of activities.
• Ten years’ experience in the area is required if the post holder does not have the required level of education.
• ICT/data protection law would be an asset.

LANGUAGES:

• Fluency in English.
• Proficiency in a second official working language of the Organization (French, Spanish, Arabic) will be an additional asset.

SPECIFIC SKILLS:

• Good knowledge of ICT/data protection law.
• Technology affinity with a natural interest in technical innovation relating to data processing.

ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Maturity, with effective oral and written communication skills and ability to maintain professional contacts, particularly in an international/ multicultural environment.
• Excellent drafting skills and ability to problem solve with a global view.
• Ability to work persistently and under pressure with tight deadlines.
• Ability to take initiative and work collaboratively in a team or individually.
• Discretion and diplomacy.
• Ability to maintain objectivity and apply logical reasoning.
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to a dynamic international environment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Remuneration for appointment on contract: Salary scales of all duty stations of INTERPOL can be found at https://www.interpol.int/What-you-can-do/Careers/Vacancies. The starting point is step 1 and one additional step will be granted for every 3 years of fully relevant experience. The salary scales of INTERPOL’s officials are adjusted at least once per year (more under exceptional circumstances) on the basis of the methodology used for the calculation of the Purchase Power Parity (PPP).
• The successful candidate may be offered appointment on a higher step depending upon professional background and experience. For more information regarding conditions of service see Employment conditions for contracted officials available on the Organization’s career website (https://www.interpol.int/What-you-can-do/Careers).
• The incumbent may occasionally be required to work occasional overtime based upon workload and to go on missions.
• Within the limits of the applicable regulations in the duty station, INTERPOL supports selected candidates’ visa applications and/or special residence permits.

In compliance with INTERPOL’s Confidentiality regime the successful candidate will have to undergo a security screening according to the clearance level attached to the function.

• INTERPOL has four official languages: English, French, Spanish and Arabic.
• INTERPOL retains the right not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower or upper grade, to make an appointment with a modified job description or for a shorter or longer duration than indicated above.
• INTERPOL would like to inform candidates that their application may be considered for other similar positions.
• INTERPOL operates a non-smoking policy.