Adviser, Justice and Digital Innovation (internationally recruited)

The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) is the only global intergovernmental organization exclusively devoted to promoting the rule of law to advance peace and sustainable development. IDLO works with governments, civil society, the private sector, and international partners to build legal systems that are inclusive, accountable, and effective.

IDLO’s Strategic Plan 2025–2028 and Management Plans emphasize Digital Solutions as a cross-cutting “lever of change” across its programmes, research, and policy advocacy. Based in the Department of Programmes, the Adviser, Justice and Digital Innovation will play a central role in operationalizing these priorities by leading and coordinating the integration of digital innovation across IDLO’s programmes, operations, and institutional systems.

THE POSITION

The Adviser, Justice and Digital Innovation supports the systematic integration of digital innovation across IDLO’s programmes. The role combines advisory and design functions across the programme cycle, supporting project identification, design, implementation, monitoring, and reporting, with a leadership role in advancing the adoption of digital tools and data-driven approaches within IDLO’s internal work processes, in line with IDLO’s Strategic Plan and Management Plan.

The position serves as a technical and strategic focal point for the integration of digital solutions, contributing to the coherence, quality, and scalability of digital innovation initiatives. Through this role, the incumbent contributes directly to the implementation of IDLO’s Strategic Plan and Management Plan by strengthening digital transformation, innovation, and organizational effectiveness across IDLO’s work.

The Adviser reports to the Chief, Programme Design and Development, and works in close collaboration with the Programmes Department, Country Offices, Strategy and Policy Planning Unit, Research and Learning Department, and other relevant entities.

Thematic Expertise and Advice

• Provide strategic advice on the integration of digital innovation solutions—including artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies—across IDLO’s programmes, research, policy advocacy, and internal systems, in line with the Management Plan 2025–2026.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of IDLO’s digital innovation agenda, ensuring coherence across thematic and geographic portfolios.
• Advise senior management on emerging trends, risks, and opportunities relevant to IDLO’s mandate and operations.

Programme Design and Development

• Support the design, piloting, and scaling of technology-enabled justice solutions, including digital court systems, case management tools, legal information platforms, and data-driven integrity mechanisms.
• Promote responsible use of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, with attention to ethics, human rights, gender equality, data protection, and inclusion across IDLO’s programmes, research, and advocacy.
• Work with programme teams to integrate digital components into project design, implementation, and monitoring, ensuring alignment with results frameworks.

Partnerships, Research and Policy Advocacy

• Engage with external partners, including UN entities, international organizations, donors, and technology actors, to build partnerships on digital justice and innovation.
• Contribute to the development of knowledge and communications products related to digital innovation and the rule of law.
• Contribute to policy dialogues and advocacy on digital solutions for the rule of law, including in global and regional forums.
• Support internal capacity building by developing guidance, tools, and training to enhance digital literacy and innovation skills across IDLO.

Systems, Data, and Organizational Innovation

• Collaborate with ICT, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Knowledge Management teams to strengthen data use, dashboards, automation, and digital workflows that improve decision-making and operational efficiency.
• Support the alignment of digital innovation initiatives with enterprise architecture, data architecture, and core institutional platforms.
• Contribute to the operationalization of the Data and Knowledge Management Strategy and to strengthening evidence-based reporting and learning.

Education and Work Experience

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in digital transformation, information systems, data science, public policy, international development, law, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in digital innovation, digital transformation, or technology-enabled development or public sector reform. Demonstrated experience supporting the integration of digital tools and data-driven approaches within programmes or institutional processes, preferably in complex, multi-stakeholder environments is required.
• Proven experience advancing digitalization in the rule of law, justice, legal empowerment, or broader governance and public sector reform contexts, particularly in sensitive institutional environments with legal, ethical, or data-protection constraints, is highly desirable.
• Experience working with international organizations, development partners, or public sector institutions is highly desirable.

Languages

• Full professional competence of written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Knowledge of other languages is an advantage.

Specific knowledge, skills, and behavioral competencies

• Strong understanding of the intersection between technology, justice, and human rights.
• Proven ability to translate technical concepts into strategic and operational guidance for non-technical audiences.
• Familiarity with data governance, digital ethics, privacy, and responsible innovation principles.
• Experience with data-driven approaches, digital platforms, or systems modernization, particularly in developing contexts
• Strategic thinking and ability to translate high-level strategies into operational solutions.
• Strong coordination and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Excellent analytical, drafting, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively across disciplines, cultures, and regions in a matrixed organizational environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build partnerships and consensus.
• Good knowledge of IDLO’s areas of work i.e. rule of law, access to justice, development and peacebuilding.
• Solid project management skills, ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Team player with positive attitude, flexible mind, and comfortable in working in multi-cultural settings.
• Keen sense of ethics, accountability, integrity and commitment to IDLO's mandate and value.
• Ability and willingness to travel to the field, even hard-ship countries, as needed.

For this internationally recruited employee position, IDLO shall offer the selected candidate an Affiliate contract of 24 months, with the possibility of an extension subject to performance and availability of funding.

IDLO shall offer a yearly basic salary of EUR €70,000 and a benefits package including provident fund contribution (14%), medical insurance and leave entitlements. Relocation and installation support are also available for internationally recruited employees in accordance with IDLO Employee Regulations and Rules.

Salaries and benefits paid by IDLO to employees are exempt from taxation in Italy. 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.

Applications will be screened on a regular basis; a qualified applicant may be recruited before the deadline. In the interest of making the most effective use of resources, only short-listed candidates will be contacted during the selection process.

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.

Application deadline: 27 July 2026 (23:59hrs Rome time).