Executive Head of Privacy

About the role

Safaricom is looking for an Executive Head of Privacy to lead its data protection and digital risk agenda. Reporting to the Group Chief Risk Officer, the role shapes and governs Safaricom's enterprise-wide Privacy, Data Protection and Responsible Data Use strategy, frameworks, controls and capabilities across its Telco-Fintech ecosystem, including M-PESA, digital services, platforms, applications, networks, customer analytics, APIs and partner ecosystems. The position is full time in Nairobi.

Key responsibilities

• Define and govern Safaricom's privacy, data protection and data governance strategy, policies, standards and frameworks, aligned with the Kenya Data Protection Act 2019 and global principles.
• Drive privacy risk assessments, data flow visibility, monitoring of high-risk processing, incident detection, breach response and regulatory notifications.
• Embed privacy by design into technology, product development, analytics, AI/ML models, APIs and integrations, using PIAs/DPIAs, data minimisation and pseudonymisation.
• Strengthen consent governance, customer rights (access, erasure, portability, objection), data retention and deletion controls.
• Protect sensitive and financial data, including M-PESA processing data, and align with AML, cybersecurity and fraud prevention teams.
• Ensure privacy assurance for M-PESA, merchant and agent ecosystems, API partners, fintech integrations, cloud environments and cross-border data flows.
• Deliver privacy dashboards, KRIs, heatmaps, DPIA outcomes and breach metrics, and prepare for ODPC audits, CBK reviews and Internal Audit assurance.
• Build privacy awareness and capability across the organisation and scale privacy technology, automation, data classification tools and consent systems.
• Provide group-level oversight to subsidiaries, define minimum risk standards and report material issues to the CRO and Board.

Required profile

• Relevant Bachelor's degree.
• 12-15+ years of privacy experience, including 5+ in senior leadership.
• Telecom and fintech background.