The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is inviting applications for a Data Protection Specialist consultancy that can be carried out entirely from home. The opportunity is designed for experienced professionals with backgrounds in data protection, privacy, information security, information technology, law, or related fields.
The FAO Home-Based Consultant Opportunity 2026 is a six-month consultancy within FAO’s independent Data Protection Unit. The selected consultant will support the implementation of FAO’s Data Protection Policy and provide specialist advice on privacy compliance, data protection risks, operational procedures, and information lifecycle controls.
The vacancy is open to qualified professionals who meet FAO’s education, professional experience, language, and technical requirements.
FAO Home-Based Consultant Opportunity 2026: At a Glance
- Organization: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- Position: Data Protection Specialist
- Vacancy Number: 2601889
- Location: Home-Based / Remote
- Contract Type: Consultant / Personal Services Agreement
- Duration: Six months
- Organizational Unit: Data Protection Unit
- Posted: September 24, 2026
- Application Deadline: October 1, 2026
- Work Arrangement: Fully home-based
About the FAO Data Protection Specialist Opportunity
The consultant will work within FAO’s Data Protection Unit and support the organization in implementing and monitoring its Data Protection Policy across headquarters, regional offices, and country offices.
Reporting to the Head of the Data Protection Unit, the successful candidate will provide technical and operational guidance to FAO divisions and offices on data protection and privacy matters.
Because the position is home-based, the consultant will not be required to work from FAO premises.
The assignment combines policy implementation, privacy compliance, risk management, operational guidance, training, and data protection controls.
Key Responsibilities
The Data Protection Specialist will be responsible for a range of activities related to privacy governance and data protection across FAO.
Key responsibilities include:
- Drafting new operational guidance and updating existing data protection procedures.
- Supporting FAO divisions and offices in establishing processes, standards, and technical controls.
- Providing advice on data protection compliance and privacy-related matters.
- Supporting the implementation of FAO’s Data Protection Policy.
- Responding to requests from data subjects and other data providers.
- Advising organizational units on privacy risks and compliance requirements.
- Developing and reviewing data protection training and awareness materials.
- Preparing updates and reports for oversight committees, senior management, and FAO governing bodies.
- Supporting data protection risk management activities.
- Providing guidance on data protection throughout the information lifecycle.
- Representing FAO in relevant meetings with other United Nations organizations when required.
- Supporting the development of practical procedures and controls for responsible data management.
Technical Focus of the Consultancy
The assignment covers data protection throughout the complete information lifecycle.
This includes:
- Data collection
- Data processing
- Data storage
- Data transfers
- Data access and use
- Data retention
- Data disposal
- Privacy risk management
- Data protection compliance
The consultant will help FAO develop practical procedures, guidelines, and controls while supporting offices in addressing privacy and data protection risks.
Applicants with experience applying recognized data protection frameworks and privacy regulations may be particularly relevant for this assignment.
Qualifications and Education Requirements
Applicants should normally have an advanced university degree from a recognized institution in a relevant field.
Relevant academic backgrounds may include:
- Law
- Data protection
- Privacy
- Information management
- Information systems management
- Business
- Information security
- Computer science
- Information technology
- Other disciplines relevant to the assignment
Candidates with a bachelor’s degree may also qualify if they have two additional years of relevant professional experience, according to the vacancy requirements.
Professional Experience
Applicants should have at least five years of relevant professional experience in areas such as:
- Data protection
- Privacy
- Information security
- Data ethics
- Information governance
- Privacy compliance
- Related fields
Experience working across multiple locations or organizational environments can be valuable.
Experience with international organizations and relevant legal or regulatory frameworks is also considered relevant to the assignment.
Data Protection and Privacy Experience
Candidates should ideally have practical experience applying data protection frameworks and privacy regulations.
Relevant experience may include working with frameworks such as:
- GDPR
- ISO 27701
- National privacy regulations
- State or regional privacy laws
- Organizational data protection policies
Experience dealing with data provider requests, privacy concerns, data breaches, risk assessments, and compliance matters is also relevant.
Language Requirements
Working knowledge of English at C1 level is required.
Knowledge of additional United Nations languages can be an advantage.
Limited knowledge of languages such as:
- Spanish
- French
- Arabic
- Chinese
- Russian
is considered desirable for the consultancy.
Technical and Professional Skills
The successful candidate should have strong communication skills and be able to explain complex data protection and privacy requirements in clear, practical language.
FAO is looking for professionals who can translate technical, regulatory, and policy requirements into operational guidance that can be applied by different offices and teams.
Relevant capabilities include:
- Data protection compliance
- Privacy risk management
- Information security
- Policy development
- Regulatory analysis
- Data governance
- Technical writing
- Training and awareness
- Stakeholder engagement
- Risk assessment
- Communication and advisory skills
Certifications
Professional certifications in privacy, information security, or data protection can strengthen an application.
FAO identifies certifications such as the following as useful:
- Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP)
- Certified Privacy Manager (CIPM)
- Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT)
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Applicants should only list certifications they actually hold and can verify.
Professional Competencies
Applicants may also be assessed on competencies including:
- Results focus
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Building effective working relationships
- Knowledge sharing
- Professional judgment
- Ability to work with different stakeholders
The role requires someone who can work independently while also collaborating with teams and offices across an international organization.
Who Can Apply?
This opportunity is intended for experienced professionals with relevant qualifications and professional experience in data protection, privacy, information security, information management, law, computer science, IT, or related fields.
The home-based arrangement means that the selected consultant can perform the assignment remotely, subject to the applicable terms and conditions of the consultancy.
Applicants should carefully review the official FAO vacancy to confirm all eligibility and contractual requirements before applying.
How to Apply for the FAO Home-Based Consultant Opportunity
Applicants should apply through the official FAO recruitment system.
Candidates should create or update their online profile and ensure that their:
- Employment history
- Academic qualifications
- Professional experience
- Language skills
- Certifications
- Other relevant information
are accurately presented.
Applicants should also prepare and attach a letter of motivation as required by the vacancy.
FAO states that applications submitted through its official recruitment system will be considered, while incomplete applications may not be considered.
Application Deadline: The stated deadline is October 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
Because the deadline is approaching, eligible applicants should review the vacancy requirements and submit their applications before the closing time.
Disclaimer: OpportunityShape shares international job, consultancy, fellowship, scholarship, and career opportunities for informational purposes. Applicants should always verify eligibility, terms, deadlines, and other requirements directly through the official organization before submitting an application.
