Chief Information Officer (CIO)

The Directorate of Information Technology (DIT) enables the Council of Europe to deliver its mandate through secure, resilient and effective digital services. Its more than 50 professionals manage the Organisation’s information systems and digital environment in Strasbourg and its external offices.

The Directorate safeguards the Organisation’s digital environment against cyber threats, security breaches and unauthorised access. It also supports the Organisation’s digital transformation by developing innovative and cost-effective solutions, enabling data-driven activities and simplifying business processes, including through the responsible use of artificial intelligence.

The Directorate is finalising its strategy for 2028–2031 at a time when the Organisation is reforming itself to be better adapted to current challenges, including by simplifying its working methods and strengthening its capacity to deliver. The next CIO will play a central role in this transformation, ensuring the reliability and security of today’s digital environment while shaping the Organisation’s future digital capabilities.

Reporting to the Director General of Administration and as a member of his management team, you will lead the Directorate of Information Technology and act as the Organisation’s senior adviser on technology, digital transformation, data and artificial intelligence.

You will ensure that the Council of Europe’s digital environment is secure, resilient, cost-effective and responsive to users’ needs, while using technology, data and AI to help transform the way the Organisation works and delivers its mandate.

You will work across the Organisation to translate institutional priorities into a coherent digital portfolio, balancing innovation with operational resilience, security, affordability and the Council of Europe’s standards and values.

Strategy, governance and investment

• finalise and implement DIT’s 2028–2031 strategy, aligned with the Organisation’s priorities and reform agenda;
• establish governance with client entities to set priorities, service levels and the sequencing of digital investments;
• manage the IT budget and portfolio, demonstrating value through cost, delivery, adoption and user satisfaction;
• maintain a secure, interoperable and cost-effective technology architecture and IT platforms that support effective data and knowledge management across the Organisation;
• manage strategic technology dependencies, procurement and supplier relationships, in cooperation with the relevant services.

Digital transformation, data and artificial intelligence

• partner with business owners to simplify and redesign priority processes using technology, data and AI where they add value;
• lead the responsible adoption of AI, with appropriate governance, human oversight, transparency and security, applying internally the principles and standards the Organisation promotes among its member states;
• promote experimentation and user testing before solutions are scaled, and build the capabilities needed for effective adoption through training, communities of practice and shared methods;
• ensure that the Organisation’s data, information and knowledge, including its conventions, case law, reports and expertise, are reliable, findable, interoperable and reusable for decision-making and AI-enabled services, reducing duplication and unnecessary collection of information.

Digital services, cybersecurity and resilience

• ensure reliable, secure, user-friendly and cost-effective digital services accessible from any duty location, with reliable equipment and responsive support, for staff, governing bodies and senior management;
• protect the Organisation’s information systems against cyber threats and manage technology risks, while promoting security awareness throughout the Organisation;
• ensure effective detection, response, recovery and business continuity, supported by regular testing and crisis exercises involving relevant senior management, and by active operational co-operation with peer international organisations;
• modernise DIT’s delivery methods through clear service ownership, measurable service levels and shorter, user-focused delivery cycles;
• ensure that technology, data and digital services are designed and operated in accordance with the Organisation’s applicable data protection and privacy requirements.

Organisational coherence and collaboration

• promote coherence across the Council of Europe’s digital landscape and avoid unnecessary duplication of systems and investments;
• work closely with the IT teams of the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare and the Registry of the European Court of Human Rights to explore opportunities for interoperability, shared solutions, common standards and efficiencies, while respecting their respective mandates;
• promote the reuse of technology, capabilities and good practices across the Organisation.

Leadership and staff management

• lead and develop the Directorate’s staff, review performance, set clear direction and accountability while encouraging initiative and responsibility, and enable decisions to be taken at the appropriate level, close to delivery;
• anticipate future skills needs, particularly in cybersecurity, data and knowledge management, cloud, AI, architecture and service management, and plan recruitment and development and mobility accordingly;
• foster a culture of service, collaboration, experimentation, continuous learning and accountability for results, supported by effective internal communication, cooperation and team spirit.

Communication, partnership and representation

• advise decision-makers and governing bodies on technology, digital, AI and cybersecurity issues and their organisational implications;
• build strong partnerships with organisational entities, understanding their needs and accounting for service delivery and results;
• represent the Organisation, as appropriate, in relevant international networks and exchanges on technology, data, AI and cybersecurity, promote its values and interests, and contribute to dialogue with member states in these areas;
• represent the Director General at internal or external events when requested.

You must:

• hold a higher education degree equivalent to a master’s degree (2nd cycle of the Bologna process framework of qualifications for the European Higher Education Area) in information technology or another relevant field; this requirement may be waived for candidates with at least 12 years of relevant professional experience;
• have at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in technology and digital management, including substantial management responsibility in a large and complex organisation;
• have led significant digital or organisational transformation from strategy through to implementation and adoption;
• have demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary teams, significant budgets, technology portfolios and external suppliers;
• have a very good knowledge of English or French and a good knowledge of the other, or have the ability to acquire it rapidly on the job.

• Managerial - Vision and Strategic Insight
• Managerial - Leadership
• Managerial - Management of teams
• Managerial - Decision making
• Interpersonal - Service orientation

• Results Orientation
• Professional and technical expertise:
  • have strong experience in cybersecurity, technology risk, IT governance, architecture and service management;
  • have experience with data management, artificial intelligence and their application to organisational transformation.

• Managerial - Organisational and contextual awareness
• Operational - Creativity and innovation

• Communication:
  • demonstrate the ability to advise senior decision-makers and communicate complex technology choices clearly to non-technical audiences;
• Professional and technical expertise:
  • experience in a public-sector, international or other mission-driven organisation would be an advantage.

This job vacancy is for an international external recruitment. You can consult the conditions of employment (salaries, allowances, pension scheme, social insurance, etc.) on the webpage What we offer.

For more information on how we recruit, you can consult the page Our recruitment process. This recruitment is carried out in accordance with Articles 490 and 4140 of the Council of Europe Staff Rules. The deadline for applications is indicated in the General information section of this vacancy notice (see above) and is fixed at 23:59:59 (CET/CEST). When applying, make sure your motivation shows how your competencies make your profile the best for the role.

As an equal opportunity employer, the Council of Europe welcomes applications from all suitably qualified people, irrespective of sex, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic or social origin, disability, religion or belief. Under its equal opportunity policy, the Council of Europe is aiming to achieve gender parity in staff employed in each category and grade. At the time of appointment, preference between suitable people shall be given to the person of the gender which is under-represented in the relevant grades within the category to which the vacancy belongs.

Applicants with specific needs are encouraged to request reasonable accommodations at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact us at talents@coe.int, we will ensure that your request is handled.

The information published on the CoE’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication of the vacancy notice. Any changes to these conditions during the recruitment process will be updated on our Portal and will apply at the time of the job offer. Our career's website is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have. Should you have remaining questions, please contact us at talents@coe.int.