Job Title: EU Policy Counsel, Global Privacy
Location: Brussels (hybrid). Candidate must have pre-existing authorization or right to work in the EU.
Reports To: FPF Europe Managing Director
Type of employment: This is a 12-month contract, full time, with the possibility of renewal contingent of performance
Salary Range: EUR 70.000 – EUR 90.000 gross yearly salary (13.92 installments) based on experience.
About Us
The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) is a dynamic global non-profit organization that serves as a catalyst for privacy leadership and scholarship, advancing principled data practices in support of emerging technologies. FPF is an organization at the forefront of global thought leadership in the privacy and data protection space, understanding and explaining legislative trends, regulatory action and best practices related to processing personal data and emerging technologies, across key jurisdictions. Coordinated from its Headquarters in Washington DC, FPF has offices in Brussels, Tel Aviv, and Singapore, as well as a network of experts and partners in Kenya, India, and Brazil, with a long term view of expanding our global presence. To develop its global perspective and contribute to the comprehensive understanding of privacy and data protection trends across the world, FPF is engaging with a vast array of stakeholders, including international organizations, researchers, regulators, privacy practitioners (in house and outside counsel, privacy engineers, technologists), advocates, and policymakers.
To learn more about FPF in Europe, see fpf.org/eu.
General Overview
The EU Policy Counsel will primarily support FPF’s work on data protection and privacy issues in Europe by following and analyzing European and national case law relevant for the field, recent academic research, guidelines, and decisions from the European Data Protection Board and national Data Protection Authorities, Communications of the European Commission, legislative reports of the European Parliament, and the activity of the European Council. The EU Policy Counsel will regularly interact with leading senior figures in government, corporations, academia, advocacy groups, and law firms. The EU Policy Counsel is expected to have advanced knowledge of EU data protection law and policy, be a superior writer, and to speak at conferences and other public events in Europe and occasionally in the US and other parts of the world. This role reports to the Managing Director of FPF Europe and will work closely with the FPF Global Privacy team.
Key Responsibilities:
Candidate’s primary responsibilities will be to advance FPF’s work within Europe and to analyze and discuss European policy developments for a global audience. The specific key responsibilities include:
- Monitor, understand and explain legal and policy developments related to EU data protection, such as guidance issued by the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) and Data Protection Authorities, enforcement cases, CJEU cases, European legal acts related to digital policy and data strategy (25%);
- Work Program Contributions: a) Write and contribute to policy briefs on emerging privacy and data protection issues in the EU b) Author blog posts to communicate complex topics to a wider audience c) Contribute to comprehensive reports on key areas of EU digital policy and data protection d) Collaborate with team members to ensure consistency and quality in all written outputs (20%).
- Engage with and support FPF’s Europe Council through: a) Supporting monthly calls on timely topics b) Keeping its members updated through a bi-weekly newsletter c) Producing resources, such as policy briefs, for the membership portal, all in close collaboration with the staff in FPF’s Brussels office and the EU Managing Director (15%);
- EU Council Newsletter Responsibilities: a) Manage the creation and distribution of the EU Council newsletter b) Curate relevant content, including recent developments, policy updates, and insights c) Ensure timely delivery and maintain high-quality standards for the newsletter d) Collaborate with team members to gather diverse perspectives and comprehensive information (15%);
- Present FPF Europe’s work in conferences, webinars, lectures, roundtables and other events, as well as coordinate panels and events to advance FPF Europe; (10%);
- Collaborate with other teams within FPF on projects implementing the work program (10%);
- Coordinate panels and events to advance FPF Europe’s priorities and work program, including in relation to the annual FPF-VUB Brussels Privacy Symposium (5%).
Requirements:
- Based in Brussels;
- University degree (Law preferred, but other social sciences, like Political Science, or European Studies may be considered);
- 5+ years of work experience in data protection with a focus on the EU in government, academia, non-profit sector, or in-house roles;
- Excellent research and writing skills (a proof of writing is part of the selection process);
- Excellent communicator;
- Excellent analytical skills;
- Ability to summarize complex legal and policy materials;
- Ability to work remotely across different time zones;
- Passionate about both protecting privacy and the potential for data and technology to benefit society.
Desired Attributes:
- Knowledge of general EU law and the EU legislative process;
- Experience conducting research and publishing analysis relevant for data protection and privacy law;
- Experience working with the GDPR, ePrivacy Directive, conducting a data protection impact assessment or transfer impact assessment;
- Experience working with stakeholders in Brussels (e.g., CAST, SNE programs, Bluebook traineeships);
- Reputation for being entrepreneurial, energetic, positive, and focused;
- Experience with Zoom, GSuite, Microsoft Office, and Monday.com;
- Have native or fluent proficiency in another language besides English.
This is a full-time position based in FPF’s Brussels office and it requires pre-existing authorization or right to work in the EU. FPF provides comprehensive benefits beyond Belgian law requirements, such as an annual professional development budget among others, and high flexibility in terms of work schedule (hybrid, with a requirement of minimum 2 days per week in office).
FPF is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace that supports employees professionally and personally through our employment practices and benefits offerings. We encourage applications from individuals who represent a variety of backgrounds based on sex, race, ethnicity, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, and other factors protected by law. If we can make the application process easier through accommodation in the recruitment process, please reach out to [email protected].
To apply, click here.