Legal Counsel Digital Law (ID2201)

As part of the AO’s support units, Legal and Compliance is dedicated to ensuring that the AO Foundation adheres to laws and regulations, minimizing legal risks and maintaining ethical standards.

As Legal Counsel Digital Law, you will work at the intersection of law, technology, data privacy and artificial intelligence, helping the organization navigate an increasingly dynamic digital regulatory landscape, at the guidance of and implementing frameworks designed by the Global Principal Digital Law AI & Data Governance, Data Privacy & DPO. 

During the absence or unavailability of the Global Principal Digital Law AI & Data Governance, Data Privacy & DPO, you will deputize him/her also in the role of the Data Protection Officer (DPO), ensuring continuity of the statutory DPO function. 

Main Reponsibilities:

• Support the Privacy Framework implementation under the oversight and guidance of the Global Principal Digital Law AI & Data Governance, Data Privacy & DPO: 
  • internal and external documentation, policy, disclaimer and notice drafting, execution, coordination within established templates
  • execute (negotiate and conclude) routine DPAs and data sharing agreements within established frameworks and templates
  • support in maintaining and keeping current the Records of Processing Activities (RoPA), including intake of new processing activities from business units and coordination with departments
  • support Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), including coordination with relevant business and technical stakeholders  
  • in incident response and data breach handling processes as directed

• Support the AI Governance framework implementation under the oversight and guidance of the Global Principal Digital Law AI & Data Governance, Data Privacy & DPO: 
  • administer the AI use-case intake and evaluation process
  • support AI system risk classification under the EU AI Act and comparable frameworks
  • maintain the AI risk register

• Assist in the design and delivery of privacy and digital compliance training for staff across both entities
• Support the Global Principal Digital Law AI & Data Governance, Data Privacy & DPO in monitoring legal and regulatory developments in privacy, digital law, and AI governance, and support with implementing the necessary changes and requirements  
• Act as a secondary point of contact for internal stakeholders on routine data protection and digital compliance questions and inquiries  

Main Requirements:

• Law degree (Bachelor and/or Master); Swiss or EU qualification 
• Experience as a legal professional (lawyer, counsel, advisor or similar) in-house, law firm, or consultancy 
• Relevant professional experience in IT related legal topics, privacy, digital law, AI governance is an advantage  
• Strong attention to detail and preference for an operational, process-driven legal work. 
• Structured and solution-oriented approach, legal pragmatism  
• Good stakeholder communication skills; ability to work in cross-functional and international teams and environment 
• Fluency in English required; German is a strong plus 

Preferred Skills:

• Practical experience of data protection requirements under GDPR and the Swiss FADP; familiarity with the global and EU digital law landscape and the EU AI Act is a strong plus 
• Basic understanding of IT systems and experience with IT/cloud solutions, data flows, and cloud/vendor architecture is a strong plus. Practical experience or personal interest in AI solutions and the relevant legal requirements and frameworks globally is a strong plus 
• Interest in continuous learning and growth in emerging technologies topics and willingness to keep up with the fast-paced regulatory landscape