Remote Data Protection Officer (Legal Focus)

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work arrangement

Provident fund contribution

Generous leave and study leave

Performance bonuses potential

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a highly qualified Remote Data Protection Officer with a strong legal background to oversee POPIA compliance for the South African operation. This role is fully remote and the DPO will advise on processing activities, DPIAs, data subject requests, and breaches.

You will be the main contact for supervisory authorities, lead audits, provide staff training, and help shape our data protection practices across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Admitted lawyer with 6+ years in data privacy and POPIA.
• Experience conducting DPIAs and audits.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills; able to work remotely.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain POPIA-aligned data protection policies.
• Monitor compliance, audits, and DPIAs.
• Advise on DPIAs for new projects.
• Serve as liaison with authorities and data subjects.
• Provide staff training on data protection.
• Investigate data breaches and coordinate remediation.

Job description

About the Role

Our client is actively seeking a highly qualified and experienced Remote Data Protection Officer (DPO) with a strong legal background to join their organisation. This position is fully remote, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere within South Africa. The DPO will be responsible for overseeing the company's data protection strategy and implementation to ensure compliance with POPIA and other relevant data privacy regulations. You will be the primary point of contact for data protection matters, advising on data processing activities, conducting impact assessments, and managing data subject rights requests, all within a completely remote operational framework.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive data protection policies and procedures in line with POPIA.
• Monitor compliance with data protection regulations and internal policies, conducting regular audits and assessments.
• Advise on data privacy impact assessments (DPIAs) for new projects and processing activities.
• Act as the point of contact for supervisory authorities and data subjects regarding data protection matters.
• Provide training and awareness programs to staff on data protection best practices.
• Investigate and manage any data breaches, ensuring timely notification and remediation.

Requirements

• A legal professional (e.g., admitted attorney or advocate) with at least 6 years of experience, with a significant focus on data privacy law and POPIA compliance.
• In-depth knowledge of data protection principles, regulations, and best practices.
• Experience in conducting data protection audits and DPIAs.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to work autonomously and manage projects effectively in a remote setting . Relevant certifications (e.g., CIPP/E, CIPM) are highly desirable.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package and potential for performance bonuses.
• Fully remote work arrangement, offering significant work-life balance.
• Contribution towards a provident fund.
• Generous leave allowance and study leave for further professional development.
• Opportunity to shape data protection practices within a forward-thinking organization.