The HCDI was created with the primary purpose of developing the innovation ecosystem in the dual-use and defence research and development (R&D) sector, stimulating technological progress, and implementing structural reforms aimed at enhancing resilience. Furthermore, the EU’s “ReArm Europe” initiative emphasizes the need to strengthen military preparedness and effectiveness, in line with objectives to translate the operational needs of the Greek Armed Forces into concrete solutions. Additionally, the future of European defence, as defined by the European Commission in the White Paper on the Future of European Defence, involves developing strategic autonomy and collaborative defence strategies within the EU.

As a key entity tasked with transforming the operational needs of the Greek Armed Forces into concrete solutions, HCDI faces several challenges, including the underdevelopment of dual-use technologies, the absence of a comprehensive government-wide innovation strategy, and limited access to financial instruments. These gaps hinder innovation, weaken national security preparedness, and create inefficiencies in resource allocation.

The Key Expert will serve as the central operational anchor for the project, ensuring seamless technical and operational implementation of all key outputs while bridging Expertise France headquarters with Greek counterparts (HCDI, MoND, GAF). Reporting directly to the Expertise France Project Manager, the expert will monitor progress across the logical framework toward specific outcomes—such as enhanced GAF resilience through innovative procurement (target: ≥5 R&D-derived products adopted) and a strengthened dual-use ecosystem (targets: 30% EU funding, 30% startup collaborations, 10% private investment complement).

The role encompasses hands-on oversight of deliverable production (O7-O11), proactive risk management (e.g., regulatory hurdles, stakeholder engagement gaps), and internal coordination with the Policy/Innovation Expert (on funding mechanisms, dual-use accelerators like EuroQuity Defence) and Legal Expert (on governance reforms, EDF/EDIP compliance). The Key Expert will drive multi-stakeholder alignment through workshops/interviews, ensure timely STE mobilization, and guarantee coherence between market analysis, institutional reforms, financial tools, and capacity-building activities, ultimately positioning HCDI as a competitive player in European defence innovation.

The project activities are based in Athens, Greece. Therefore, the Key Expert has to be available for regular missions for stakeholder workshops, expert interviews, and peer consultations (primarily Greece, potential EU partners like France).