Job Title : Data protection specialist
Location : Den Haag
Company : Europäische Patentorganisation
Salary :
Open Date : 2023-03-01
Close Date : 2023-07-01

The European Patent Office (EPO) is in the midst of a major transformation and making agile principles a reality. It's like nothing we've ever done before!

Our mission is to support innovation, competitiveness and economic growth across Europe. We pride ourselves on taking innovation seriously and are fully committed to our digital transformation.

Whilst preparing our next strategic plan, we are seeking talent to reinforce our teams and prepare the next generation of tools and practices, to increase the productivity of our workforce.
We are looking to recruit highly creative individuals with a broad range of skills across the field of IT, as well as developing a talent pool in anticipation of future openings.

Directorate IT Planning (D 4.6.2) plays a key role in helping BIT to deliver digital transformation and to this end works on the management of programmes, projects and adaptive changes with a focus on facilitating the delivery of IT-related pipelines. Its remit also encompasses the sourcing of third-party products and services to support both strategic developments and operational work in BIT. Achieving the objectives set requires a sound risk-based approach, which is also one of the directorate's mandates along with ensuring compliance with internal and external rules and regulations. Information security acts as an overarching, unified view of the security function and addresses strategic and operational needs direct.

Within IT Planning, the IT Sourcing, Risk and Compliance department performs a strategic function with responsibility for a number of complementary objectives. The Compliance team is responsible for maintaining BIT's integrated management system and ensuring compliance with standards adopted by the EPO (ISO 9000, ISO 45000, EMAS, ISO 27000) as well as co‑ordination of internal and external audits. The Sourcing team's focus is on the efficient planning and procurement of the IT goods and services required. Many areas of the organisation benefit from our support in data protection matters to ensure compliance with DP rules in the context of procurement transactions or use of IT systems. In order to minimise the impact of unforeseen events on our business, we build a robust business continuity plan for BIT. Sustainability of the IT services delivered and green IT is also part of our core activities. Finally, we work on all of the above by integrating strategic risk analysis and risk capabilities at all times and throughout BIT.

We are looking for a collaborative and eager-to-learn individual to join the Data Protection team. You will join a dynamic and friendly group that will help familiarise you with the BIT directorates as well as the Data Protection Office. You will be responsible for supporting and co‑ordinating data protection activities in general and data protection liaison activities in particular. This job brings with it a great opportunity to collaborate extensively with many areas across BIT and the organisation.

With us you will:

• monitor and provide follow-up on data protection requests from all across EPO
• assist the team in monitoring and assuring compliance with the Data Protection Rules
• maintain an up-to-date repository of mandatory documentation
• monitor and report on progress in the various data protection activities
• keep an up-to-date record of data protection information in the OneTrust data protection tool
• evaluate the data protection measures taken by suppliers

Apply if you have:

• flexibility, the ability to work in teams and co-operate with colleagues EPO-wide
• a thorough understanding of the priorities, sensitivities and risks of the EPO
• excellent organisational and communication skills, including vis-à-vis management
• an understanding of technical and organisational security measures
• the ability to advocate for data protection values throughout BIT
• an excellent understanding of the EPO's Data Protection Rules

It would be considered an asset to have:

• an understanding the concepts of risk management and related terminology
• a good understanding of cybersecurity
• relevant certification in data protection, risk management or information security

Minimum requirements

• Diploma of completed studies at master's level or – in exceptional cases – equivalent professional experience
• Excellent knowledge (at least C1) of one official language (English, French and German) and the ability to understand the other two; alternatively, excellent knowledge (at least C1) of English (in such cases, the willingness to learn the missing languages and to reach level B2 within a set time frame would be required)
• Citizenship of one of the member states of the European Patent Organisation

What we offer

• An opportunity to participate in complex IT projects at the heart of the EPO's digital transformation initiative
• Daily collaboration with a diverse, hard-working and united team of highly skilled and dedicated professionals from all over Europe
• Self-development opportunities through a broad range of training activities provided by our Talent Academy
• A challenging yet highly rewarding working environment
• A comprehensive and family-friendly benefits package
• A flexible working model
• Access to a wide variety of social activities and clubs
• Flexibility to work in either Munich or The Hague

Process:
The successful candidate will be selected on the basis of qualifications and relevant experience, supplemented as appropriate by interviews, tests and/or a personality questionnaire.

Key information

Job group: 4
Grade: G7 to G10 (net basic) monthly salary* for this vacancy: EUR 6 459 to 9 364, depending on experience and location)
Duration of appointment: Five years
Career path: Technical
Location: Hybrid based in Germany (Munich) or The Netherlands (The Hague)
Application deadline: 29 March 2023
Interviews planned: April and May 2023

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