Data Privacy Specialist (Legal Adviser)

About the role

CERN is hiring a Data Privacy Specialist for its Office of Data Privacy (ODP) in the Office of the CIO. ODP is CERN's independent and impartial centre of expertise in data privacy. The specialist reports to the Data Privacy Advisor, CERN's Data Protection Officer, and advises CERN management, data subjects and external entities on all data privacy issues. The post is based in Geneva, on a limited-duration contract of 5 years, with 40 hours per week and a hybrid arrangement.

Key responsibilities

• Provide specialised legal and operational advice so that CERN's processing of personal data complies with data privacy requirements across the data lifecycle, including projects, contracts, risk assessments, data transfers and data breach response.
• Manage or contribute to privacy and data protection projects with internal and external stakeholders, such as international data-sharing initiatives.
• Advise on governance structures, policies, documentation and stakeholder engagement, and maintain regulatory relationships supporting CERN's data privacy framework.
• Ensure data subject rights are exercised effectively and that grievances and complaints are handled promptly.
• Promote a data privacy culture through communication, awareness campaigns, guidance materials and training.
• Oversee the effectiveness of the data privacy framework, identify improvements and align with evolving regulatory expectations and best practice.

Required profile

• Master's degree or equivalent experience in Law, Data Protection, Privacy, IT or a related field.
• Proven data protection expertise, with extensive practical experience applying data protection rules, preferably under the EU framework.
• Experience in an international environment and with EU actors, bodies or inter-governmental organisations is preferred.
• Independence and impartiality, and the ability to work on several projects at once while maintaining confidentiality.
• Spoken and written English and French.

Required skills

• Knowledge of EU regulations and administrative rules and procedures.
• Drafting of official documents, stakeholder relationship management and compliance auditing.
• Risk assessment for compliance and data protection purposes.
• A certification in data privacy (e.g. IAPP, CIPP) or admission to the bar is an asset.

What we offer

• Tax-free salary increasing with years of relevant experience.
• 30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 weeks annual closure.
• Health insurance coverage for yourself, spouse and children, and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
• Family, child and infant monthly allowances.
• Relocation package depending on circumstances.
• Possibility to extend the contract up to 8 years and eligibility for an indefinite contract.