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Open recruitment for Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data begins

   The post of Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data opens for application today (March 31).

   The advertisement for the post, which sets out the requirements for potential candidates and other details, is published in newspapers today. Candidates should be permanent Hong Kong residents and have:

(a) a good general education;
(b) at least 10 years of relevant experience in public administration, professional practice or private sector management at a senior level;
(c) clear vision, impeccable integrity, good leadership qualities, management skills, and mature personality; and
(d) strong language and communication skills, including good command of Chinese and English.

   It would be advantageous to possess:

(a) experience in leading and managing a sizable public or private organisation;
(b) experience related to personal data privacy and familiarity with technological developments that have implications on personal data privacy;
(c) good track record in public or community service in Hong Kong; and
(d) a legal background.

   The new Privacy Commissioner will receive a basic salary of HK$162,750 per month (equivalent to Point 5 of the Directorate Pay Scale (DPS) in the Civil Service) which will be subject to the same adjustment as will be applied to the DPS. In addition, the other terms include a fixed sum of cash allowance (to substitute for fringe benefits received by an officer at the equivalent Directorate rank in the Civil Service) and a gratuity payable upon satisfactory performance.

   In line with the practice of open recruitment for senior positions, the Government has engaged an executive search firm, Korn/Ferry International (HK) Limited, to carry out the recruitment exercise.

   Applications should be submitted by post to Korn/Ferry International (HK) Limited, 2107-2109 Gloucester Tower, The Landmark, Central, Hong Kong, or by email to PCPD@kornferry.com, by April 21.

   The term of appointment of the incumbent Privacy Commissioner will expire on July 31, 2010. Under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, the appointment authority of the Privacy Commissioner rests with the Chief Executive. A selection board will recommend the most suitable candidate to the Chief Executive for appointment. The board is chaired by Mrs Laura M Cha, and its members comprise Professor Lawrence Lau Juen-yee, Dr Elizabeth Shing Shiu-ching and the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs.

   The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) is an independent statutory body set up to oversee the enforcement of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. The Privacy Commissioner has to perform statutory functions and powers under the ordinance. These functions and powers include monitoring and supervising compliance with the provisions of the ordinance, and promoting awareness and understanding of, and compliance with, the provisions of the ordinance. He/she will also be responsible for the administration and management matters of the PCPD.

Ends/Wednesday, March 31, 2010