Data Security Officer

Join us to make a difference for all students in NSW

Position details

• Clerk Grade 5/6
• Ongoing, full-time opportunity
• Close to Wynyard station & hybrid work arrangements available

Join NESA's new Cybersecurity, Information Assurance & Data Protection team – multiple roles now open

This is a unique chance to join a newly established team shaping the future of data and information security at NESA. Led by our Chief Information & Security Officer, you'll help protect sensitive information, drive compliance, and set the standard for cybersecurity and data governance while making a real, visible impact.

About the role

As a Data Security Officer, you will play a pivotal role in managing and enhancing data classification processes, data quality assurance, and risk management activities across the organisation. Your work ensures that data is accurately categorised, consistently maintained, and compliant with operational and regulatory requirements.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an individual passionate about data governance and information assurance, who thrives on maintaining high standards of accuracy and integrity while influencing the adoption of best practices across a dynamic organisation.

On a day-to-day basis you will be responsible for:

• Maintaining and regularly reviewing data classification schema to ensure alignment with business sensitivity, legal, records, and privacy frameworks.
• Supporting the implementation of data tagging and labelling across core systems, providing advisory support to project teams, privacy officers, and ICT solution designers.
• Liaising with data stewards to facilitate the effective adoption of classification and quality processes, including running training sessions for staff responsible for data entry and information handling.
• Developing and maintaining centralised registers for classified data assets and critical datasets, and producing supporting materials such as playbooks and data quality plans.
• Reviewing records of access, quality flags, and exception handling procedures, generating KPIs and reports on data quality, accuracy, completeness, and usability.
• Assisting in audit readiness by providing evidence of compliance with classification and stewardship obligations.

Key challenge you will help address:

• Ensuring comprehensive data classification coverage and compliance across the organisation.
• Improving the timeliness and accuracy of data quality reporting.

• Driving staff adoption of stewardship roles and implementing risk reduction actions based on classification insights.

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Experience in implementing and maintaining data classification frameworks and data quality processes
• Proven ability to liaise effectively with stakeholders to improve data adoption, accuracy, and compliance.
• Strong organisational skills, with the capacity to document, report, and maintain centralised data registers.
• A proactive approach to driving compliance, supporting audits, and enhancing data stewardship culture.
• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
• A valid Working With Children Check (WWCC) clearance.

Download the role description.

About us

At the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) we work with the NSW community to drive improvements in student achievement.

We achieve this by supporting all school sectors with high-quality syllabuses, assessment (including managing the HSC and NAPLAN), teaching standards (e.g., accrediting teachers) and school environments (including setting and monitoring school standards).

To find out more about the important work we do for NSW visit our website.

Ready to join us?

Select apply and attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages). Also address the 2 targeted questions below in your online application:

1. Give an example of a time when you improved a data quality or classification process within an organisation. What steps did you take to analyse the problem and implement a solution? What was the outcome?
    
2. Describe a situation where you identified a potential risk or issue related to data management, records, or information handling. How did you address it and communicate your concerns?
    

Advice on applying for NSW Public Sector roles

If you need reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process and workplace, please reach out to the contact person above.

Close date: 16 September 2025 at 11.59pm AEST

Thank you for your interest, we look forward to receiving your application.

Important information

We particularly welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with a disability, people of all ages, genders, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans and refugees.  

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. For ongoing roles, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident. Australian Temporary Residents may be considered for a fixed term contract for the length of their visa, depending on the requirements of the hiring area and the position.

A Talent Pool (valid for 18 months) may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles.