Data Protection Officer

Essence Coaching Group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 400 000 - 500 000; Full time

Job summary

An established organization is seeking an experienced Data Protection Officer in Johannesburg to oversee data privacy and compliance with POPIA. The successful candidate will develop and implement data policies, manage compliance audits, and provide advisory services on data privacy. This role requires 8-10 years of experience in data protection and a strong understanding of relevant legislation. The ideal candidate should also possess leadership skills and the ability to navigate high-pressure situations.

Qualifications

• 8-10 years of experience in data protection, data privacy, or information security, including compliance and implementation experience.
• Minimum 3 years of management or team-leadership experience.
• Deep knowledge of POPIA and relevant information legislation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement policies to ensure lawful processing of personal information.
• Oversee POPIA and PAIA compliance, including standards, procedures, and documentation.
• Conduct privacy impact assessments and recommend corrective actions.

Skills

English Language

Compliance assessment

Project management

Quality assurance

Education

Honours degree in Compliance, Law, Information Systems, Risk Management, or a related field

Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM)

Additional certification such as CISSP, CISM, or similar

Job description

Data Protection Officer

Location : Pretoria Gauteng

Job Type : Full-Time Onsite

Annual Salary : ZARgross yearly

Overview

An established organisation is looking for an experienced Data Protection Officer to lead and oversee all data privacy and POPIA compliance activities. This role ensures the lawful processing of personal information regulatory alignment risk management and privacy governance across the Group.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement policies and frameworks to ensure lawful processing of personal information.


• Oversee POPIA and PAIA compliance including standards procedures privacy tools and documentation.


• Conduct privacy impact assessments and recommend corrective actions.


• Lead incident and subject-request management in line with SLAs.


• Guide internal investigations and respond to regulator or stakeholder queries.


• Provide training to key roles and promote privacy awareness across the organisation.


• Present privacy updates to boards executive committees and management committees.


• Deliver statutory regulatory reporting as required.


• Provide advisory and consulting services on data privacy and access to information.


• Monitor international and local privacy trends and apply relevant best practices.


• Ensure governance forums meet legislative and privacy requirements.


• Approve privacy and security technical solutions to ensure compliance.


• Manage internal and external stakeholder relationships.


• Lead and prioritise organisation-wide privacy auditing.


• Manage team performance resource utilisation and quality of deliverables.

Requirements

• Honours degree in Compliance Law Information Systems Risk Management or a related field.


• Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) or equivalent qualification.


• Additional certification such as CISSP CISM or similar.


• 8-10 years of experience in data protection data privacy or information security including compliance and implementation experience.


• Minimum 3 years of management or team-leadership experience.


• Deep knowledge of POPIA and relevant information legislation.


• Compliance assessment


• Project management


• Quality assurance


• Continuous improvement


• Business and industry awareness


• Professional development and learning

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Expert understanding of data privacy legislation


• Strong leadership and stakeholder-management skills


• Excellent analytical and compliance-focused mindset


• Able to navigate high-pressure environments with sound judgment


• Strong communication advisory and training capabilities

Key Skills

• English Language


• JSP


• IT Help Desk


• General Services


• After Sales Service


• Commerce

Employment Type : Full Time

Vacancy : 1