Data Governance & Compliance Specialist

Role Purpose

To establish and maintain a data governance and compliance program within SANS. This includes defining and roll-out policies, procedures, and standards for data management, as well as ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations within the set KPIs, agreed budgets, and adopted policies and procedures.

Key Accountability Areas

Key Activities

Data Governance 

• Develop and maintain data management and governance policies, procedures, and standards.
• Monitor the performance of data management and governance program and develop the required reports and KPIs.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to obtain input and reports relevant to data management and governance programs.
• Assist with preparation and managing the data management and governance committees and track feedbacks and action items
• Provide awareness and training to staff on data governance, management and privacy best practices
• Conduct enterprise-wide data management capability maturity assessment and track the same on a periodic basis as defined 
• Monitor and report on the effectiveness of the data governance program and make recommendations for improvements as needed.
• Develop periodic reports on Data Governance KPIs values and present them to the Data Strategy and Governance Section Head
• Promote effective collaboration and communication with internal team members and maintain cross-departmental alignment to ensure synergy and coherence.

Data Compliance 

• Conducting NDMO regulatory compliance for data and document the outcomes, maintain and present the evidence for respective controls to the internal/external audit firms 
• Monitor and oversee compliance with national regulations and policies related to data management and governance.
• Monitor and oversee compliance with data protection policies and regulations
• Manage all violation related to data management and ensure proper escalation when needed.
• Manage and oversee investigative processes and develop & direct final resolutions to ensure compliance with applicable law and regulation related to data management.
• Assist in developing methods to effectively monitor and measure risk, compliance and assurance efforts.
• Assure data management assessments are conducted regularly, followed by appropriate remedial action verification.
• Support in promoting a culture of compliance in the company
• Manage data assessments in addition to provide technical assurance capabilities to verify effectiveness of data management controls and protection
• Monitor and report on the effectiveness of the data compliance program and make recommendations for improvements as needed.

Policies, Processes and Procedures

• Conduct day-to-day activities while ensuring compliance to policies and procedures
• Contribute to the identification of opportunities for continuous improvement of systems, processes taking into account leading practices, changes in business environment, cost reduction and productivity improvement

Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum of 6 years of experience in governance, risk compliance and policies development is required
• Strong knowledge of data management principles, best practices, and regulatory requirements

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Data Management, Information Technology, cybersecurity)
• Relevant certifications (e.g., CDMP) are a plus