DPO Assurance Lead

Gas Networks Ireland operates and maintains Ireland’s €3bn, 14,725km national gas network, which is considered one of the safest and most modern renewables-ready gas networks in the world.

Almost 725,000 Irish homes and businesses trust Ireland’s gas network to provide efficient and reliable energy to meet their heating, cooking, manufacturing and transport needs.

The gas network is the cornerstone of Ireland’s energy system, securely supplying more than 30% of Ireland’s total energy, including 40% of all heating and almost 50% of the country’s electricity generation.

Gas Networks Ireland is aiming to deliver a repurposed, resized and fully decarbonised gas network by 2045. Its “Pathway to a Net Zero Carbon Network” envisions transforming the existing gas network into two separate systems carrying 100% renewable gas, one dedicated to biomethane and the other to green hydrogen, with the potential to carry approximately 30% biomethane and 70% green hydrogen, as well as offering significant long term energy export opportunities.

The Role

This role will report to Gas Networks Ireland Data Protection Officer, the DPO Assurance Lead role is responsible for supporting the delivery and implementation of a Data Protection service across Gas Networks Ireland. This role will assume responsibility for supporting the data protection of customer, employee and all other personal information.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the development and implementation of the DP strategy across the organisation
• Provide guidance to the business in relation to DP compliance
• Risk assessment of projects and evaluation of DP & privacy related risks
• Provide support to the business in relation to conducting Data Privacy Impact Assessments
• Conduct investigation of any DP related complaints and enquiries
• Conduct investigation of any alleged Data Breaches
• Manage and maintain Registers associated with DP compliance requirements
• Responsible for overseeing Data Subject Requests and Data Subject Rights Requests including triage, liaison with Data Champions, relevant business stakeholders and IT as necessary, through to preparation and issue of final response
• Development and delivery of on-going DP awareness programmes and in-house training
• Active participation in appropriate data governance groups
• Define monthly DP KPIs and Metrics in relation to function activities
• Other data / privacy operational tasks as assigned
• Keeping under review emerging developments for DP & privacy impact and implications
• Responsible for FOI & AIE Requests including triage, liaison relevant business stakeholders through to preparation and issue of final response

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Previous operational data protection experience desirable
• A minimum of 2 years' experience of working in a role requiring the application of analytical skills and sound judgment
• Ability to think and act independently are critical to this role
• Good communication and relationship building skills
• Attention to detail alongside technical aptitude
• A strong track record of managing tasks from start to completion
• Prioritise tasks and deliver high-quality work within tight timelines
• Work independently but also as part of a team
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, in particular a strong ability to distil data protection terminology and concepts into relevant business activities.
• Strong organisational skills, with project management experience an advantage and strong Office 365 skills.
• Attributes:

• Professional
• Proactive
• Adaptable
• Enthusiastic
• Committed

Applications, including current Curriculum Vitae, should be emailed to the following address stating the job title and reference number in the subject line of your email: recruit@gasnetworks.ie

The closing date for receipt of applications for this vacancy is the 8^th of January 2025.

Please note that applications submitted after this closing date will not be accepted.

Gas Networks Ireland is an equal opportunities employer

We are committed to providing a diverse and inclusive place of work and have a robust strategy and framework called ibelong to enable this. We are an equal opportunity employer and through our recruitment process we welcome and encourage applications from interested and suitably qualified individuals regardless of gender, age, racial or ethnic origin, membership of the traveller community, religion or beliefs, family or civil status, sexual orientation/gender identity or disability.

GNI will only hold your data for as long as necessary.  By providing a CV to GNI you are agreeing for GNI to process this information about you. If you have any question about how GNI processes your data please see our Privacy Notice.   If you have further questions, you can contact us at  DataProtection@gasnetworks.ie