Context

 The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization of 35 member states, with a mission to support sustainable democracy worldwide. The Institute pursues this mission by providing comparative knowledge to reform-makers, assisting in conceptualizing and implementing democratic reforms, and influencing policies and politics at national and global levels. International IDEA shares comparative knowledge and supports policy reforms in the following key thematic areas: electoral processes, constitution building, political participation and representation, and democracy assessments. It also addresses the important issues of gender, diversity, and conflict and security as they relate to democracy.

International IDEA has a mandate to support democracy worldwide. Since its establishment in 1995, the Institute has sought to fulfil this mandate by incrementally expanding its geographic footprint. Increasing demand for the Institute´s support in countries in Europe, coupled with key developments that have highlighted the weakness of democratic institutions in some European countries, has motivated the Institute to establish a Regional Europe Programme (REP).

The REP has a strategic objective to support democracy in Europe, with an emphasis on Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans. In Ukraine, International IDEA aims to support state and civil society organisations in enhancing the resilience and quality of democratic institutions and processes. Key areas of our engagement relate to electoral processes and political finance, parliamentary strengthening, and promoting the expertise and capacity of civil society organisations to participate in decision-making processes. To date, the programme has supported important reforms in the fields of the integrity of elections and political finance, constitutional review and reform processes, local and regional democracy assessments. It has delivered this support through country and regional projects.

International IDEA is currently looking to expand its programming in Ukraine. The Programme’s key areas of focus are provision of support to parliamentary strengthening and to enhancing electoral integrity; other areas of work may include activities to foster greater civic engagement in democratic processes, support to strengthening the culture of constitutionalism, digitalization, promotion of gender equality and women’s participation in political and public life.

In the context of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, International IDEA’s work places particular emphasis on democratic resilience, institutional continuity, and safeguarding democratic processes under conditions of heightened security risks and operational constraints.

In the context of post-war recovery and preparation for future electoral processes, Ukraine faces significant challenges related to ICT modernization and cybersecurity, including vulnerabilities in election management systems, increased cyber threats, and the need for secure digital infrastructure. International IDEA is therefore seeking to engage an ICT and Cybersecurity Advisor to support the design, coordination, and quality assurance of ICT and cybersecurity-related activities implemented with the Central Election Commission (CEC), the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (VRU), and other key institutions.

The Project Officer ICT and Cybersecurity will work closely with International IDEA programme staff and institutional partners to ensure that ICT and cybersecurity interventions are strategically aligned, technically coherent, and effectively implemented.

Duties and Responsibilities

 Strategic Advisory and Technical Support

• Provides advisory support on ICT modernization and cybersecurity initiatives related to electoral and parliamentary processes;

• Advises on assessments of vulnerabilities in ICT systems and digital infrastructure, including election-related systems;

• Contributes to the development and review of ICT modernization plans, cybersecurity strategies, and technical recommendations;

• Provides advice on risks related to cyber threats, hybrid interference, and malicious use of digital technologies affecting electoral and parliamentary processes;

• Advises on data governance, ethical use of data, and protection of sensitive electoral and parliamentary information, in coordination with legal and institutional counterparts.

Programme Coordination and Quality Assurance

• Provides overall coordination and management oversight of ICT and cybersecurity workstreams, ensuring coherence between strategic objectives, technical delivery, timelines, and institutional priorities;

• Manages the planning, sequencing, and implementation of multiple ICT and cybersecurity activities in parallel, ensuring effective prioritization and delivery under complex and evolving conditions;

• Supports the planning, coordination, and monitoring of ICT and cybersecurity-related activities under International IDEA programmes;

• Provides technical quality assurance for studies, assessments, project deliverables, and technical reports;

• Contributes technical input to project implementation planning, identifying interdependencies, risks, and timelines;

• Supports internal coordination meetings by providing technical analysis, updates, and recommendations;

• Contributes to the programme narrative reporting to donors and beneficiaries.

Procurement and Technical Oversight

• Provides technical input and review for procurement processes related to ICT and cybersecurity goods and services;

• Reviews technical specifications, vendor proposals, and deliverables to ensure compliance with agreed requirements and standards;

• Lead the procurement process for ICT and cybersecurity procurements.

Capacity Development and Stakeholder Engagement

• Advises on the design and content of capacity-building and training activities related to ICT and cybersecurity;

• Supports engagement and coordination with institutional partners, technical experts, and international stakeholders;

• Represents International IDEA in technical coordination meetings and working groups, as required;

• Supports institutional capacity development with a focus on sustainability, knowledge transfer, and long-term ownership of ICT and cybersecurity solutions by partner institutions.

General Profile

 • Demonstrates advanced expertise in ICT systems, cybersecurity, and digital governance, with the ability to provide strategic and advisory support in complex institutional environments;

• Works effectively in complex institutional and multi-stakeholder environments;

• Applies sound judgement, analytical thinking, and a results-oriented approach;

• Can be expected to travel to any geographical area involved in their projects;

• Acts in accordance with International IDEA’ s core values; Respect, Integrity and Professionalism;

• Integrates a gender and diversity perspective in all activities.

Reporting line

 · Programme Manager, Ukraine

Education and Experience

 • University degree in information technology, cybersecurity, computer science, engineering, or other related discipline;

• Minimum five (5) years of relevant professional experience working in a similar role in ICT and/or cybersecurity, including advisory or coordination roles, in the field of democracy, governance, and electoral processes;

• Experience of working in an international context, e.g. in an intergovernmental organization, considered an advantage;

• Experience in networking and communicating with different stakeholders such as government, public institutions, electoral bodies, UN, NGOs and other organizations is considered an advantage;

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Ukrainian is required.

Terms of Contract:

  • Local Post.

  • Fixed term appointment until 31 December 2026.

  • Remuneration - USD 3,006 Gross per month

Please note as this is a local post, International IDEA will bear no costs relating to the relocation of the selected candidate to the duty station. This position is open to those legally authorized to live and work in Ukraine for the duration of the contract. International IDEA is not able to support work permit applications. 

Applying for this position:

  • Applications should be submitted online no later than 23:59 (CET) 02 April 2024. 

  • Please note that all applications must be made in English.

Selection Process:

  • Evaluation of qualified candidates will include a written test assessment and up to two (2) interviews.

  • Candidates selected to proceed to the next stage of the process will be contacted once all applications have been carefully reviewed.

  • All candidates will be notified of the status of their application via email once the process has been finalized.

Due to the anticipated volume of applications, International IDEA will review applications on a rolling basis, and the vacancy may close earlier than the advertised deadline. Applicants are therefore encouraged to apply early.

International IDEA is an equal-opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.