Ref.
2026/DPAIEFAEPIG/15095
Job offer type
Experts
Type of contract
Service contract
Activity sectors
Strengthening Defence and Security Forces
Deadline date
2026/04/03 15:43
Duration of the assignment
Long term
Contract
Wage portage
Duration
9
Defence Policy and Innovation Expert for an EU project in Greece (M/W)
Département Paix, stabilité, sécurité - P2S > Pôle Renforcement des forces de sécurité et de défense
Published on : 2026/03/25
CONTINENTAL EUROPE
GREECE
ATHENS
Mission description
Expertise France, the French agency for international technical cooperation, is a key actor in supporting sustainable public policy development worldwide. It designs and implements projects that strengthen governance, security, climate, health, and education systems in developing and emerging countries, contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.
Greece has requested the support of the European Commission to assist in the capacity-building of the Hellenic Centre for Defence Innovation (HCDI). Through the Technical Support Instrument (TSI), SG REFORM is financing Expertise France to provide expertise and ensure the strengthening of HCDI’s capacities.
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.
To address these issues, the project will strengthen Greece’s defence innovation ecosystem by enhancing HCDI’s capabilities.
Within this framework, under the ELKAK DEFENCE INNOVATION project, Expertise France is hiring an expert to implement the Output 5 of the project: Draft strategy for the operation of HCDI.
Project or context description
The expert’s assignment is to prepare, in close coordination with the Expertise France project team and HCDI, an operational multi annual strategy for HCDI, including stakeholder mapping, strategic analysis, definition of objectives and performance indicators, and a detailed action plan.
The expert will build their work on previous deliverables produced by Expertise France, specifically Output 2 (dua-use Market Study) and Output 4, ensuring full alignment and coherence with project findings to date.
The expert will be responsible for producing the following deliverables under Output 5:
· A mapping of key players involved in defining and implementing defence and innovation policies in Greece and in Europe (ministries, agencies, armed forces, industry, universities, research centres, European actors, etc.).
· An analysis of relevant strategic documents (national and EU level) to identify objectives, priorities and funding instruments relevant for HCDI.
· The definition of three year strategic objectives for HCDI, with clear and measurable key performance indicators (KPIs) and related targets.
· A Strategy Report for the operation of HCDI, including a detailed action plan and a mechanism for annual update and monitoring of the strategy.
· Contributions to stakeholder consultation workshops, as well as to the presentation and validation of results with HCDI, SG REFORM and other key actors.
The expert will carry out, inter alia, the following tasks:
1. Stakeholder mapping
2. Strategic document analysis
3. Definition of strategy objectives and KPIs
4. Preparation of the Strategy Report and Action Plan
5. Stakeholder consultation and validation
6. Cross cutting support to the project team
· Work in close coordination with experts in charge of the market study (Output 2) and the ecosystem report (Output 6) to ensure consistency and synergies across outputs.
· Contribute, as needed, to progress reports and project monitoring meetings (Steering Committee, technical meetings).
à Location: missions to Athens (HCDI premises and other institutions) and home based work from the expert’s country of residence.
à The expert will work under the supervision of the Expertise France Project Manager, in close coordination with the Bpifrance team and with HCDI and SG REFORM counterparts.
à The expert will report to the Expertise France Project Manager and work closely with the Team France and other project experts.
à Regular meetings (online or in person) will be held with Expertise France, Bpifrance, HCDI and, where relevant, SG REFORM to monitor progress and validate key milestones
Required profile
Qualifications
· Master’s degree or equivalent in political science, international relations, economics, public administration, security/defence studies, innovation/technology or a related field.
· Additional training in innovation management, industrial policy or defence strategy is an asset.
Professional experience
· At least 10 years of professional experience in developing institutional strategies, public policies or action plans in the fields of defence, security, innovation or dual use technologies.
· Proven experience in stakeholder mapping, strategic analysis and design of performance frameworks (KPIs, results based approaches).
· Previous experience with EU funded or international cooperation projects, ideally related to defence or innovation, preferably in a European context.
· Knowledge of the Greek context (defence policy, innovation system, defence industry) is a strong asset.
Technical skills
· Excellent command of strategic planning, results based management and monitoring and evaluation methodologies.
· Strong ability to analyse complex strategic documents and translate them into operational recommendations.
· Experience in facilitating workshops and conducting consultations with multiple stakeholders (public administrations, armed forces, industry, reseach community).
· Very strong report writing skills in English.
Language skills
· Full professional proficiency in English (spoken and written), as working language of the project and deliverables.
· Knowledge of Greek and/or French would be an asset.
Soft skills
· Strong analytical and synthesis skills.
· Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
· Diplomacy, discretion and respect for confidentiality, given the sensitivity of the defence sector.
Selection criteria for applications
The selection process for candidates will be based on the following criteria :
- Candidate’s training/skills/experience
Deadline for application : 2026/04/03 15:43
Expertise France is the public agency for designing and implementing international technical cooperation projects. The agency operates around four key priorities :
- democratic, economic, and financial governance ;
- peace, stability, and security ;
- climate, agriculture, and sustainable development ;
- health and human development ;
In these areas, Expertise France conducts capacity-building initiatives and manages project implementation, leveraging technical expertise and acting as a project coordinator. This involves combining public sector expertise with private sector skills to drive impactful results.