Jobseeker's Guide to Landing a DPO Vacancy in Singapore

The need for data protection officers (DPO), or roles related to data protection management, has been growing over the years with an increase of 106% in 2020 compared to 2019 for Singapore. This need arises as generative AI goes mainstream as an enterprise initiative, according to DPEX Centre’s Singapore Data Protection Job Demand 2024 report. The rising cyber security concerns that organisations face emphasizes the need for specialised professionals to safeguard sensitive data.

There was a further 54% increase in demand for dedicated DPOs in 2021, according to this research, against the backdrop of COVID-19.

With the boom in the demand for data protection expertise, job seekers looking to carve a new niche for themselves and find the right environment for career growth may want to transition to being a DPO. So what are the necessary qualifications and skillsets to become an effective DPO? 

In this article, we will discuss the certifications available that will help boost any interested jobseeker’s resume and provide some suggestions on how to convince the hirer that you have transferable skills from your previous work experience that can help you excel as a DPO. You can check out our courses page here.

Job description and finding DPO vacancies

A Data Protection Officer (DPO) is responsible for ensuring that an organisation complies with data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This role involves overseeing the company's data handling practices, advising on privacy policies, spearheading risk analysis, and implementing security measures to protect sensitive information.Given the increasing importance of cyber security expertise, DPOs must also be proficient in identifying and mitigating potential cyber security risks that could compromise data integrity.

These following resources are great starting points to score a place with  a DPO vacancy in Singapore:

1. Job Portals: Career websites and also business networking sites such as  LinkedIn often list job openings for Data Protection Officers. You can use specific search terms like "Data Protection Officer" or "DPO" along with the location filter for Singapore, and enable job alerts for new listings.

2. Company Websites: Many organisations post DPO job vacancies directly on their websites. Check the careers page of companies, especially those in sectors like finance, technology, and large corporations that are likely to have a need for Data Protection Officers and related compliance roles.

3. Recruitment Agencies: Reach out to recruitment agencies that specialise in IT, legal, or data protection roles. Agencies like Robert Walters, Michael Page, and Hays may have listings and can also assist in your job search.

4. Professional Networks: Join a professional DPO network and groups focused on data protection and privacy, such as Straits Interactive and the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) or local data protection forums. Networking can often lead to job opportunities.

5. Social Media: Follow relevant hashtags and groups on platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook where job postings are frequently made. Joining discussions related to data protection can also lead to job leads.

6. Industry Conferences and Events: Attend seminars, webinars, social activities, and industry events related to data protection and privacy from time to time. These events are not only informative but can also provide networking opportunities that can lead to job openings.

By utilising these resources, you can increase your chances of finding vacancies for Data Protection Officer positions in Singapore.

Available data protection-related certifications

It is important to determine the route that is most suitable to your circumstances before embarking on the journey to gain theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience from the data protection courses available. These will guide your professional development as you apply for a DPO vacancy.

At DPEX Network, we have provided a roadmap with various routes that individuals who are looking to upskill or apply for DPO jobs can take to enhance their data protection competencies and become successful candidates:

• Data Protection / DPO Hands-on course

• Academic Qualifications Route

• Professional Certification Route

• Governance, Risk Management & Compliance (GRC) Route

Beginner level

The data protection hands-on course is considered the foundation that will enable learners to gain basic knowledge of industry topics, such as data protection law and principles, through hands-on learning and experience. In this phase, it's also best to build a familiarity with privacy technicalities and cybersecurity topics.

Intermediate level 

After the individual has gained a better understanding or sound knowledge of data protection principles, they can opt to expand their knowledge via the academic certification routes which are modular courses that lead up to Advanced Certificates or Advanced Diploma with partner training providers like SMU academy.

Expert level

If learners want to develop further and qualify for any DPO vacancy in Singapore, it will be important for them to get an internationally recognised certification as a Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), which will give them more credibility and provide the organisation with greater confidence and assurance.

Depending on the circumstances, those who seek DPO employment should figure out a plan by selecting a path that suits their needs. Gain better clarity of how to start your career in data protection by watching a three-part series featuring Samantha from Project Jobless and Qian Li, leader of the Fellow of Information Privacy's Affinity Group where they discuss career options in Data Protection in which demand is heating up and the annual salary has been rising by as much as $5,000 year on year.

Part 1: Introduction to Data Protection

Part 2: Career Roadmap in Data Protection

Part 3: Tips on Data Protection for Everyone – How To Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones

Find out more about the learning roadmap in this article that elaborates on each path here.

PDPC's DPO competency framework and training roadmap

A supervisory authority, Singapore's Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC), has provided a DPO competency framework that gives individuals interested in pursuing a data protection (DP) career a basic description of the job functions of DP roles and the types of competencies needed.

Competencies:

1. Data Protection Management

2. Business Risk Management

3. Cyber and Data Breach Incident Management

4. Stakeholder Management

5. Audit and Compliance*

6. Data Governance

7. Data Ethics*

7. Data Sharing*

8. Design Thinking Practice*

DPO skills you need 

To secure DPO jobs, an aspirant also needs soft skills, such as being able to relate to others, even though it is necessary to have specific data protection knowledge and expertise. They would also need to have:

1. Project management skills - to handle different types of data protection and compliance monitoring related projects within the organisation

2. Negotiation skills - to communicate effectively between stakeholders, e.g. within the DPO network, the staff, and regulators

3. Communication skills - to engage a wide-ranging audience, from management to individuals (data subjects), managers, as well as, IT staff and lawyers

4. Stakeholder management - to ensure that stakeholders are aware of their role in ensuring that data is safe and secure

5. Leadership skills - to lead the data protection management team and achieve stated objectives involving a diverse set of stakeholders and managing varied projects

6. Adaptability - to be a self-starter with the ability to monitor the industry and to gain the required knowledge in dynamic environments

Check out our article here to understand the critical role of a DPO better.

Transferable skills that are valuable as a DPO 

Taking on a new path is an exciting time for professionals. As a result of their previous work experience, many mid-career switchers possess quite a few transferable skills. For instance, they may have experience leading a team to achieve their yearly objectives and goals. This tells the organisation that they are able to communicate effectively with the team (part of stakeholder management) so that they understand their roles and responsibilities and are effective project managers as well.

Hence, for those who want to try DPO jobs, it is important to first understand the concept of data protection and gain theoretical knowledge before embarking in professional development. This way, they have the opportunity to assess if they feel comfortable pursuing their career journey in this evolving industry.

Learn more about what being a DPO entails here.