Chief Strategy and Policy Planning

The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) is the only global intergovernmental organization exclusively dedicated to promoting the rule of law to advance peace and sustainable development.

The Strategy and Policy Planning Unit (SPPU) is situated within the Office of the Director-General (DGO), and in close collaboration with the Executive Office, supports the Director-General in her overall management and leadership of IDLO. The Strategy and Policy Planning Unit is responsible for coordinating organizational strategy and policy planning, institutional monitoring and reporting, and policy advocacy. The Chief, Strategy and Policy Planning supervises the Strategy and Policy Planning Unit and reports to the Director, Office of the Director-General.

Key Functions

 1. Strategy and Policy Planning

• Work under the guidance of the Director, Office of the Director General to coordinate inputs across IDLO for the organizational planning processes and the development of IDLO’s Strategic and Management Plans and Budgets.
• Lead on policy formulation, and the development and implementation of organizational plans and strategies and ensure their alignment with overall organizational policies and priorities.

2. Institutional Monitoring and Reporting

• Coordinate corporate monitoring and reporting systems to track progress on the implementation of IDLO’s Strategic Plan including the development of management dashboards, departmental workplans and budgets and reporting for the Strategy and Policy Planning Framework.
• Oversee the preparation of key institutional reports including the Director-General’s reports to IDLO’s Governing Bodies.
• Support the implementation of IDLO’s data and knowledge management strategy.

3. Policy Advocacy

• Ensure the alignment of IDLO’s advocacy and external engagements with the Strategic Plan and institutional priorities.
• Provide quality control for knowledge products to ensure substantive alignment.
• Contribute to the development of the DG’s policy statements, speeches, major reports, and other internal and external communications, ensuring that the documents are timely and of high quality.

 4. Management

• Effectively manage the SPPU team by providing clear direction, addressing development, and performance management through ongoing dialogue, and mentoring; fostering a teamwork approach in meeting objectives and goals; address possible conflicts in a positive and constructive manner; encourage initiative and maintain effective working relationships within a multi-cultural setting.

Education and Work Experience

• Master’s degree or equivalent in law, management, public administration, international relations, or development studies
• Minimum ten years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, policy, project/programme management in the context of rule of law, democratic governance, or development cooperation.
• Experience in policy research, reporting, strategic planning, operational and project management required.
• Experience in organizational planning and reporting highly desired.
• Experience working in an international context required, with field experience highly desirable. 

Languages

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Proficiency in French or another working language is an advantage.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Innovative thinker with strong analytical and drafting skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills – ability to present and influence at the highest levels both internally and externally.
• Strong problem-solving skills with proven record of focus on delivery.
• Demonstrated experience and capacity to interpret political and policy developments in international organizations and work with senior officials from governments and international organizations.
• A motivated self-starter, able to work under pressure and tight deadlines and manage multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated track record of managing and coaching employees in addressing work related issues; proven skills in fostering teambuilding to effectively contribute to institutional objectives.
• Flexible, adaptable, able to identify improvements to working practice, make recommendations and implement change.
• Demonstrated success of working with senior executives.
• Proven ability to see through tasks set and deliver results.
• Good team player, positive attitude, comfortable with working in multi-cultural settings.
• Keen sense of ethics, integrity, and commitment to IDLO’s mandate. Self-motivated and dynamic with a willingness and ability to use initiative to assist the organisation to achieve its objectives.

For this internationally professional recruited position, IDLO shall offer the selected candidate a Fixed Term Contract of 24 months, with possibility of extension subject to performance and availability of funding. IDLO shall also offer a yearly basic salary of EUR 93,353 and a benefits package including provident fund contribution, medical insurance, leave entitlements in accordance with IDLO Employee Regulations and Rules. Relocation and installation support are also available for internationally recruited employees.

IDLO employees are responsible for compliance with income tax laws of their country of nationality or residence and/or of any other relevant fiscal jurisdiction.

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for IDLO vacancies.

IDLO does not tolerate sexual exploitation or abuse, any kind of harassment, including harassment of a sexual nature; or discrimination. As such, IDLO will conduct careful reference and background checks of all selected candidates as part of its selection process.

In the interest of making the most effective use of resources, only short-listed candidates will be contacted during the selection process.

Application deadline: 20 March 2026 (23:59hrs Rome time).