Chief Information Officer

Council of Europe; Strasbourg; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Council of Europe in Strasbourg seeks a Director of Information Technology to lead the Directorate and serve as the Organisation’s senior adviser on technology, digital transformation, data and AI. The role drives a secure, resilient, cost-effective digital environment and aligns priorities into a coherent digital portfolio.

You will manage the IT budget, governance, and investments while balancing innovation with operational resilience and security, and you will represent the Organisation in

Qualifications

• Master's degree in information technology or related field; 12+ years' senior tech/digital leadership experience preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible technology and digital management experience in large organisations.
• Led major digital or organisational transformation from strategy to adoption.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams, large budgets, tech portfolios and external suppliers.
• Very good knowledge of English or French and good knowledge of the other language; ability to learn quickly on the job.

Responsibilities

• Lead and shape the Directorate of Information Technology and advise on technology, digital transformation, data and AI.
• Strategise, govern and invest in digital capabilities aligned with the Organisation's priorities.
• Ensure secure, interoperable and cost-effective IT architecture and platforms; manage tech dependencies and supplier relations.
• Partner with business owners to redesign processes using technology, data and AI; oversee responsible AI adoption with governance and security.
• Promote interoperability and collaboration with other directorates; represent the Organisation in international tech dialogues.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Cybersecurity

Cloud

AI governance

Architecture

Service management

Stakeholder management

Education

Master's degree in information technology

Tools

Cloud platforms

Security architectures

Data management platforms

Job description

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.

Requirements to apply

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.

You must also:

• be a citizen of one of the member States of the Council of Europe and fulfil the conditions for appointment to the civil service of that state;
• have discharged any obligation concerning national service (military, civil or comparable);
• not be the parent, child, stepchild or grandchild of a serving staff member of the Council of Europe;