Data Protection and Cybersecurity Expert

Organizational Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports sustainable agri-food systems globally. FAO Country Offices provide policy advice and technical assistance to achieve food security and sustainable agricultural development. The FAO Representation in Bangladesh (FAOBD) is assisting the "Technical Assistance for Repurposing of Agricultural Public Support Towards a Sustainable Food System Transformation in Bangladesh (TARAPS)" project, funded by the World Bank. This project aims to assess the feasibility of e-voucher systems and promote Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this position is to provide expertise in data protection laws, cybersecurity frameworks, and risk management within the context of the TARAPS project in Bangladesh. The expert will review national digital legislation and global best practices for digital infrastructures. This role is crucial for ensuring the security and integrity of digital systems, particularly the proposed e-voucher delivery models and the KYC-enabled beneficiary registry, aligning them with FAO's security standards and policies.

Responsibilities

The Data Protection and Cybersecurity Expert will support the TARAPS team by reviewing technical data protection and cybersecurity requirements for a KYC-enabled beneficiary registry of over 500,000 individuals, ensuring robust security controls for demographic, behavioral, and transactional data. The expert will assess the data protection and cybersecurity safeguards within proposed e-voucher delivery models, including smartcards and mobile wallets, from technical and operational viewpoints. Additionally, the role involves verifying alignment of digital solutions with FAO's ICT and CSI security standards, providing support on risk mitigation measures for the e-voucher system, and performing other related technical tasks within the scope of data protection and cybersecurity as requested by FAO.

Work Experience

Requires 8 years of experience in driving digital financial services and innovative payment infrastructures. Experience in assessing and benchmarking digital infrastructures and e-voucher ecosystems against global best practices is essential. Proven capacity to evaluate national digital ecosystems and competency in stakeholder engagement for digital transformation initiatives are also key.

Skills

Key skills include a proven track record in leading large-scale e-payment platforms and digital banking solutions. Strong understanding of digital systems, data protection, and cybersecurity is vital, with experience in designing secure digital platforms. Expertise in assessing digital infrastructures, evaluating national digital ecosystems, and engaging diverse stakeholders is required. Familiarity with legal and regulatory frameworks for digital financial services, data privacy, and cybersecurity is necessary. Ability to identify implementation barriers and operational risks, assess digital payment delivery models, and advanced knowledge of data protection and KYC systems are crucial.

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