Job Description

VACANCY NOTICE 1757

This vacancy announcement pertains to law enforcement and/or governmental officials within INTERPOL's member countries only.

Please read the Conditions of Secondment in force at INTERPOL (shared via the NCB) including the maximum duration of secondment.

Please be aware that your home Administration/Agency/Service/Government will be responsible for all of your salary/remuneration, social insurance, pension contributions, welfare benefits, family allowances, benefits during your assignment at INTERPOL as well as travel, removal expenses related to your arrival at and departure from INTERPOL, and any other related costs depending on your circumstances. It is requested that you obtain in writing, confirmation from your home Administration/Agency/Service/Government that it agrees with these CONDITIONS OF SECONDMENT. This confirmation letter should be forwarded to us THROUGH THE NCB.

INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization, with 196 member states. Created in 1923, it facilitates cross-border police co-operation, and supports and assists all organizations, authorities, and services whose mission is to prevent or combat international crime. INTERPOL is now looking for a qualified candidate as a SECONDMENT - Chief Data Officer within the which is part of the​​​​​​ Information & Communication technology

Job title: SECONDMENT - Chief Data Officer
Reporting To: Chief IT Governance Officer
Location: Lyon
Duration (in months): 36.00
Grade: 3
Number of post: 1
Security Clearance Level: Enhanced
Deadline for application: 23 June 2026

INTERPOL actively encourages applications from women and nationals of member countries that are currently unrepresented among our staff ( please click on this link to access the list of countries). Candidates from these countries are particularly encouraged to apply.

INTERPOL’s recruitment process is merit-based hence all hiring decisions are made considering the applicant’s qualifications and the needs of the Organization.

OF THE ASSIGNED DUTIES, INCLUDING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE POST

As part of the General Secretariat of INTERPOL, the world’s largest international police organization, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Executive Directorate delivers trusted, secure, and innovative digital platforms and services that form the technological backbone of the Organization. ICT enables global police cooperation and supports INTERPOL’s strategic and operational objectives, ensuring that law enforcement agencies across member countries can collaborate effectively and securely.

The Chief Data Officer (CDO) reports directly to the Chief IT Governance Officer (CITGO) within the ICT Executive Directorate.

He/she leads the Data Governance and Quality function, responsible for defining and implementing INTERPOL’s organisation-wide Data Management framework. The incumbent acts as the organizational focal point for data governance, stewardship, and quality, ensuring that INTERPOL’s data assets are accurate, secure, and leveraged effectively to support operational and strategic objectives.

He/she coordinates closely with the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), and the Organization’s Data Protection functions to ensure that all data management practices are coherent, compliant, and aligned with organizational and international standards.

He/she develops and maintains the policies, standards, and tools that enable a hybrid Data Governance model, combining centralized oversight with distributed ownership by data domain experts.

The incumbent ensures that INTERPOL’s data lifecycle—from acquisition and storage to usage and archiving—meets the highest standards of quality, security, and interoperability, in accordance with international best practices and the Organization’s data strategy.

He/she drives the implementation of data quality programs, metadata and master data management, and fosters a culture of accountability and excellence in data stewardship across all ICT and business functions.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ACTIVITIES

DUTY 1 – Data Governance Framework Definition and Implementation
Define, implement, and maintain INTERPOL’s enterprise Data Governance framework.

• Establish policies, standards, and procedures for data governance in line with DAMA-DMBOK principles.
• Define data roles and responsibilities (data owners, stewards, custodians) across domains.
• Lead the creation and operation of the Data Governance Board, ensuring cross-directorate coordination and decision-making.
• Promote the hybrid governance model, centralizing frameworks and distributing accountability to business and technical data owners.
• Ensure alignment of data governance with ICT governance, security, and risk management frameworks.

DUTY 2 – Data Quality Management and Stewardship
Establish organization-wide standards and tools for data quality management.

• Define and monitor data quality dimensions (accuracy, completeness, consistency, timeliness).
• Develop and enforce processes for data validation, correction, and continuous improvement.
• Implement key data quality metrics and dashboards to measure and communicate progress.
• Ensure that Data Stewards and owners are supported and trained to maintain data quality at the source.
• Lead initiatives to increase trust in data and promote evidence-based decision-making across the Organization.

DUTY 3 – Metadata, Master Data and Reference Data Management

• Oversee the implementation and operation of metadata management tools and processes.
• Define metadata standards and ensures consistent cataloging of data assets.
• Lead the modernization of Master Data Management (MDM) platforms, ensuring a unified view of critical organizational data.
• Coordinate with the CTO and CTO Teams, such as Engineering, Architecture and the AI & Data Competency Center, to ensure that metadata, MDM, and data governance requirements are correctly embedded within data platforms, analytical solutions, and engineering workflows. Promotes interoperability, traceability, and data lineage documentation across systems.

DUTY 4 – Data Lifecycle, Policy, and Compliance Management

• Define and maintain data lifecycle management policies (creation, retention, archival, and disposal).
• Ensure compliance with INTERPOL’s Rules on the Processing of Data (RPD), the Data Protection Office, and applicable privacy regulations.
• Collaborate with the CISO to ensure data security controls are embedded in data management practices.
• Ensure auditability, transparency, and accountability in all data-related processes.
• Contribute to the preparation and response to data-related audits or compliance reviews.

DUTY 5 – Data Culture, Communication and Enablement

• Promote a culture of data-driven decision-making across the Organization.
• Develop communication and training programs to raise awareness of data governance and quality principles.
• Support the establishment of data stewardship communities and knowledge sharing across Directorates.
• Act as a key advocate for data ethics, data literacy, and responsible use of data.
• Provide expert guidance to business and ICT units on data management best practices.

DUTY 6 – Strategic Planning and Continuous Improvement

• Lead the execution of the multi-year Data Management Strategy and Roadmaps.
• Coordinate with the CTO and CTO Teams, such as the Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Data Competency Center , to align the evolution of data platforms — including the Data Lakehouse and analytical environments — with governance, quality, and interoperability requirements.
• Identify and prioritize initiatives that enhance data governance, quality, and accessibility.
• Define performance indicators and maturity metrics for Data Management.
• Report regularly to the CITGO and ICT leadership on progress, risks, and opportunities.
• Ensure that emerging technologies (AI, analytics, cloud) are supported by robust data foundations.

Other duties: Perform other related duties as required by the hierarchy.

QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

Education and qualification required:

• University degree (minimum 5 years) in Information Management, Computer Science, Data Science, or related field.
• Advanced certifications in Data Management, Governance, or Quality (e.g., DAMA, DCAM, ISO 8000) are strong assets.

Experience required:

• At least 8 years of progressively responsible experience in data governance, management, or quality assurance.
• Proven experience establishing and operating enterprise data governance frameworks.
• Experience managing data quality and metadata programs in complex or international organizations.
• Familiarity with data protection, compliance, and audit processes.
• Strong collaboration with technical and business teams in implementing hybrid governance models.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in other official language of the Organization (Arabic, French, Spanish) would be an asset.

SPECIAL Abilities required:

• Strong leadership, analytical, and organizational skills.
• High integrity, accountability, and discretion in handling sensitive data.
• Excellent communication and facilitation abilities.
• Ability to translate technical concepts into strategic policy actions.
• Commitment to fostering a culture of data stewardship, ethics, and innovation.