Role: Data Protection Regulatory Specialist (Financial Services)
Start Date: Immediately
Duration: 12 months
Contract: Full-time position
Compensation: Competitive, dependant on experience
Location: UK / remote
ABOUT FINANCIAL INNOVATION FOR IMPACT (Fii)
Financial Innovation for Impact (Fii) is an international, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the advancement of scalable, sustainable, and evidence-based financial and regulatory innovation.
We work with academic institutions, digital finance ecosystem partners, and other stakeholders to create knowledge and apply data-driven insights to inform the development of fintech and the decision-making of central banks, securities regulators, and other financial authorities.
Fii generates research, develops digital tools, and delivers capacity building at scale through technical assistance programmes to benefit financially excluded, marginalised, and disadvantaged populations.
Fii was spun out of the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) and incorporated in the United Kingdom in 2023. CCAF is a research centre at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School. CCAF’s mission is to create and transfer knowledge addressing emergent gaps relating to technology-enabled financial innovation, and to support evidence-based decision making by market participants, regulators, and related stakeholders.
Fii achieves its mission through a symbiotic collaboration with CCAF as one of its Principal Collaborators, and leveraging a global network of expertise, academic relationships, and data science capabilities to deliver impact in countries that we work in.
THE ROLE
We are looking for a Data Protection Regulatory Specialist (Financial Services) to support Fii’s programmatic activities, with a focus on data protection and privacy in digital financial services.
The digital transformation of financial services has created a complex data ecosystem where vast volumes of behavioural, transactional, and biometric data flow through markets with uneven levels of oversight. At the same time, regulatory responses remain fragmented. To support building a responsible digital finance ecosystem and unlock better economic outcomes, Fii is working to foster cross-regulatory collaboration between financial and data protection authorities.
This role will involve conducting research on the global landscape of data protection and privacy regulation, analysing country-specific regulatory frameworks, and identifying practical mechanisms to align the efforts of financial authorities, data regulators, and other relevant stakeholders. The role holder will also contribute to the development and delivery of the Cambridge Data Protection and Privacy Research Report, with a particular focus on digital financial services.
The role will work closely with a network of technical experts and regulatory analysts across the Fii/CCAF network and report to the Head of Market and Infrastructure Observatory.
RESPONSIBILITIES
* Conduct research and analysis on global and national data protection and privacy frameworks, drawing on regulatory comparison and policy analysis to identify cross-regulatory gaps, alignment opportunities, and implementation challenges (particularly in the financial services sector).
* Design and deliver regulatory engagement workshops, both virtual and in person, to promote collaboration between financial regulators and data protection authorities.
* Publicly represent Fii in international fora and among key partners, including central bank officials, regulators, government departments domestically and internationally, universities, think tanks, grantees, donors, international standard setting bodies, and commercial providers.
REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS
The individual in this role must have strong research and communication skills and a demonstrable interest and expertise in data protection and privacy framework. They should also possess a solid understanding of how these frameworks intersect with financial services regulation, particularly in digital financial services contexts, to identify opportunities for regulatory alignment and collaboration.
Essential
The ideal candidate should have the following qualities, skills, and attributes.
* A degree in law, public policy, data governance, information technology, economics, or a related field.
* Minimum 5–8 years of relevant professional experience in data protection, privacy regulation, or digital financial services, ideally with exposure to both regulatory and market perspectives.
* In-depth knowledge of global and national data protection frameworks, with a demonstrated ability to analyse their implications for financial services and identify opportunities for regulatory alignment.
* Ability to develop strong links with relevant stakeholders including regulatory authorities, standard-setting bodies, development partners, and other relevant governmental and international bodies.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey research findings and ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences.
* Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment, as well as delegate and work independently when required.
* Driven and committed, demonstrating initiative and self-motivation.
* Ability to organise/prioritise work and meet deadlines within a fast-paced environment with multiple and competing demands.
Desirable
* Experience working directly with or within a financial regulatory authority, data protection authority, or international standard-setting body, particularly in countries such as Nigeria, Uganda, Ethiopia, Philippines, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, South Africa, and Brazil.
* Familiarity with privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs), data sandboxes, or other innovative regulatory tools in the context of financial services.
* Demonstrable track record in conducting comparative policy and regulatory research, including in an academic environment.
* A strong network of contacts within the regulatory, policymaking, and/or FinTech spaces
* Knowledge of international standards, guidelines, and best practices in the field of data protection and privacy.
* Experience in programmatic reporting and evaluation/assessment
WHAT WE OFFER
* A job and a team with a purpose. This is a chance to work on important challenges in the financial sector that greatly affect our economies and society, and to have a real impact using data and tech to transform the public sector.
* Opportunity to innovate and to break new ground in this field.
* Exposure to leading thinkers, researchers, and solution creators in the financial and technology space and academia.
* Opportunities to frame evidence-based discussions in a rapidly evolving industry.
* Opportunities to work and collaborate with exceptional teammates, experts, and partners globally.
* Competitive compensation.
* Flexible work schedule.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should apply via LinkedIn or submit their CV and a cover letter to jobs@fii.international.