Ref.
2026/DTCEFG/15446
Job offer type
Experts
Type of contract
Service contract
Activity sectors
Strengthening Defence and Security Forces
Deadline date
2026/08/03 15:18
Duration of the assignment
Beaded expertise
Contract
Freelancer
Duration
4 mois
Defence Test Centre Expert for Greece (M/W)
Département Paix, stabilité, sécurité - P2S > Pôle Renforcement des forces de sécurité et de défense
Published on : 2026/05/12
CONTINENTAL EUROPE
GREECE
ATHENS
Mission description
The expert’s assignment is to recommend all necessary procedures for HCDI to operate as a coordinator for testing activities during the implementation of R&D defence or dual-use projects. The expert’s role is also to define the preliminary draft strategy for the development of a defence and dual-use technology test and evaluation centre. This includes identifying test and evaluation needs, analysing existing test centre models, defining the required equipment and skills, and drafting a funding plan. Related activities include conducting a feasibility study, defining the test centre's areas of expertise, identifying potential partners, developing a detailed business plan, mapping funding sources and proposing a governance structure.
The expert will build their work on previous deliverables produced by Expertise France.
The expert will carry out, inter alia, the following tasks:
Activity 7.1: Testing Framework
Map and categorize Greek/European test centres by HCDI focus areas (e.g., drones, cybersecurity). Identify gaps, recommend SME access roadmap to Greek facilities, and advise on test design with GAF end-users.
Activity 7.2: Feasibility Study
Assess market demand, target users (SMEs, GAF), volumes, infrastructure needs, costs/revenues, risks, and success criteria in sectors like aeronautics.
Activity 7.3: Expertise Areas
Define TEC specialities: UAVs/UGVs, cybersecurity, secure comms, radar, military electronics, extreme environments.
Activity 7.4: Partners Identification
Engage industry (HASDIG/SEKPY, etc.), universities (Demokritos), agencies for collaboration.
Activity 7.5: Business Plan
Detail investments, revenues (services, grants), financial models, marketing, KPIs.
Activity 7.6: Compliance Framework
Incorporate NATO STANAGs, data security tools, protocols.
Activity 7.7: Funding Mapping
Identify EU/national funds (EDF, EDIP, SAFE), PPPs, investors.
Activity 7.8: Governance Structure
Propose roles (test officers, engineers), boards, committees, oversight
Project or context 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 7 of the project: Draft strategy for the development of a Test and Evaluation Centre.
- Location: missions to Athens (HCDI premises and other institutions) and home based work from the expert’s country of residence.
- 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.
- The expert will report to the Expertise France Project Manager and work closely with the Team France and other project experts.
- 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.
- The contract will run for four (4) months.
Required profile
Qualifications
· Advanced degree (Master's/PhD) in aerospace/defence engineering, cybersecurity, or related discipline.
· 10+ years in defence R&D testing, including EU-funded projects (EDF, PESCO).
· Proven delivery of test centre strategies or feasibility studies for dual-use tech hubs.
Professional experience
· Led mapping of national/European test infrastructures and gap analyses.
· Conducted business planning and funding roadmaps for tech evaluation centres.
· Collaborated with military end-users (e.g., GAF equivalents) on test protocols and evaluations.
· Experience in Greece/EU defence ecosystems, ideally with HCDI, HASDIG, or Demokritos.
Technical skills
· Experience in facilitating workshops and conducting consultations with multiple stakeholders (public administrations, armed forces, industry, reseach community).
· Expertise in TEC domains: UAVs/UGVs, cybersecurity, radar, secure communications equipment, extreme environments.
· Proficiency in NATO STANAGs, data security tools, financial modelling (costs/revenues).
· Tools: Risk assessment, SWOT analysis, GIS for infrastructure mapping.
· 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 project management for multi-stakeholder coordination (industry, academia, agencies).
· Excellent communication for reports, workshops, and C-level presentations.
· Adaptability to sensitive defence contexts with IP/security awareness.
Additional information
Deliverables :
Testing Framework (20 days)
Feasibility Study (25 days)
Full strategy (25 days)
Selection criteria for applications
The selection process for candidates will be based on the following criteria :
- Candidate’s training/skills/experience
Deadline for application : 2026/08/03 15:18
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.