Chief Information Officer

Directorate General of Administration (DGA)

Description & Requirements

Your Team

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.

Your Role

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 Qu