Day-to-day privacy advice
Assessing questions from the organisation on lawful bases, purpose limitation, retention, data subject rights and data sharing. Answers the business can act on.
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Embed AI · Zahed Ashkara
Hire an interim privacy officer or privacy counsel
Has your privacy officer left, is the backlog growing, or is a project stuck on privacy questions? As interim privacy officer or privacy counsel I take over the day-to-day privacy work or strengthen your team: advisory questions, DPIAs, data processing agreements, data breaches and alignment with the business and IT. Legal counsel with assignments in financial services, education, critical infrastructure and government.
Availability: by arrangement, hybrid, from 24 hours per week. Start date and duration are agreed at intake.
How I support your team
DPIAs, records and processing agreements
Screening and carrying out DPIAs, maintaining the record of processing activities, and reviewing data processing agreements and suppliers.
Data breaches and incidents
Assessing reports, deciding on notification to the Dutch Data Protection Authority and data subjects, and recording decisions in the breach register.
Handover and continuity
Backlog, decisions and arrangements documented so your permanent privacy officer or DPO can continue the work after the assignment.
How do we start?
- 01Discuss your situation: which role, what backlog and from when.
- 02Agree hours per week, duration, way of working and rate.
- 03Start, with a fixed weekly check-in and a handover at the end.
Who you engage
Zahed Ashkara is a legal counsel and freelance AI and privacy consultant, with assignments at Rabobank, Sanoma, drinking water utility PWN, central government and municipalities. Certified AI Compliance Officer and member of the NEN AI & Big Data standards committee.
View my experienceDownload profile (PDF)Practical privacy and GDPR knowledge hub
Frequently asked questions
How does this differ from a Data Protection Officer (DPO)?
A DPO is a statutory, independent oversight role with its own position in the organisation (Articles 37 to 39 GDPR). A privacy officer or privacy counsel advises and executes. I work as privacy officer or privacy counsel; whether a formal DPO designation fits is a separate conversation.
How quickly can you start?
That depends on my current assignments. Include the desired start date and hours per week in your request and you will get an honest estimate.
Can you work on site?
Yes, hybrid. We agree the number of on-site days around the assignment.
Do you also work for government and the social domain?
Yes. I have advised central government, municipalities and a joint municipal body in the social domain on privacy, transparency and responsible data use.
What is the rate?
The rate depends on the role, responsibilities and commitment. We discuss it upfront and put it in writing.
Legal source: AVG / GDPR, including Articles 5, 6, 28 and 35.
Discuss your assignment
Include the desired start date, weekly hours and duration if known.