JOB DETAILS 

Title: Data Protection Lead
Job Family: Programme Manager
Duration: 24 month fixed term contract 
Salary: €55,100 - €57,000, dependent on experience
Reporting to: Head of Compliance and Legal Affairs

BACKGROUND INFORMATION 

The Irish Red Cross Society (IRC) is part of the world’s largest independent humanitarian network, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The IRC is committed to and bound by its Fundamental Principles of Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality.  

The vision of the Irish Red Cross is to be a leading humanitarian organisation, providing impartial services and support to vulnerable communities both at home and abroad. Our mission is to identify and deliver humanitarian assistance to those who are most in need. 

SUMMARY OF ROLE 

The Data Protection Lead is responsible for planning, directing, and implementing the organisation’s Data Privacy Programme, ensuring that data protection safeguards are effectively implemented across all operations, including humanitarian programmes, safeguarding, and fundraising.

Managing data protection activities across the organisation, the role ensures that the organisation’s use of personal data aligns with GDPR, Irish data protection law, and the ethical principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, particularly the commitment to “do no harm” and protection of vulnerable individuals.

The postholder drives delivery of a strategic, organisation-wide privacy programme, translating policy into action and ensuring consistent, high-quality execution across teams and projects.

ROLE RESPONSIBLILTIES 

In this role, the Data Protection Lead will: 

• Plan, develop, and ensure delivery of a multi-year Data Privacy Programme, leading on  a defined portfolio of data protection initiatives and projects supporting organisational compliance and ethical data use, Specifically, the role will:
• Ensure delivery of key activities such as:
  • Ensuring data mapping across the organisation is complete and up to date
  • Ensuring Data Protection Impact Assessments are completed where needed
  • Reviewing and implementing data processing agreements where needed
  • Supporting departments to ensure key processes such as those related to breaches, data retention and minimisation and subject access requests programmes are understood and adhered to
• Translate GDPR and RCRC data protection principles into practical, organisation-wide workplans
• Support cross-functional project teams and delivery, influencing teams without direct authority where required
• Provide reports to SMT on data protection matters across the organisation
• Provide training supports to key personnel as required
• If required, have direct budget and line management responsibility
• Undertake training and development as required. 
• Abide by and uphold the Principles of the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. 
• Undertake any other reasonable work-related duties and responsibilities assigned by the relevant line manager that are consistent with the nature of the job and level of responsibility. 

ROLE REQUIREMENTS 

Essential Criteria 

• Excellent attention to detail. 
• Ability to work as part of a team. 
• Ability to respond to a varying workload in a busy environment
• Strong knowledge of GDPR and Irish data protection law
• Proven experience managing programmes, projects, or complex initiatives
• Experience implementing organisational frameworks or compliance programmes

Desirable Criteria 

• Experience in humanitarian, NGO, or charity sector
• Familiarity with RCRC data protection and ethical frameworks
• Relevant professional qualifications (e.g. CIPP/E, CIPM)