Director of Implementation/Component 1 Lead – Cybersecurity Enabling Environment

Вакансія: Director of Implementation/Component 1 Lead – Cybersecurity Enabling Environment for U.S. Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine (CCI) Activity
BACKGROUND:
The U.S. Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine (CCI) Activity began in May 2020. The purpose of the CCI Activity is to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, cybersecurity vulnerabilities in Ukraine’s critical infrastructure sectors. In the same way that cyberattacks drove Estonia to innovate cybersecurity practices, systems, and entrepreneurship as the backbone of its digital transformation.
The CCI Activity continues to improve the cyber-resilience of Ukraine and its critical infrastructure sectors through three interlinked, mutually reinforcing objective areas that address legal, policy, institutional, workforce, and market gaps to strengthen long-term national resilience.
Building on progress achieved from 2020 to 2026, and under the Department of State, the Activity will continue implementation of these objectives while aligning them with U.S. foreign-policy priorities for trusted technology, supply-chain security, and transatlantic digital integration.
Objective 1: Create a safe, trusted environment to accelerate the development of people, processes, and technology to support cybersecurity across CI sectors and assets in Ukraine.
Objective 2: Strengthen Ukraine as a sovereign nation built on a secure, protected, and dynamic economy, supported by a talented pool of human capital.
Objective 3: Stimulate demand for and supply of Ukrainian cybersecurity solutions and service providers to empower, equip, and finance cybersecurity entrepreneurs and businesses
The CCI Activity consists of three complementary, mutually reinforcing, and integrated components:
Component 1: Strengthen the Cybersecurity Enabling Environment
This component enhances Ukraine’s ability to protect and modernize its civilian digital infrastructure by embedding U.S. and allied cybersecurity standards into the governance, architecture, and operational systems of critical infrastructure (CI). It prioritizes the divestment of high-risk digital assets and the adoption of secure-by-design technologies that advance trusted supply chains, secure communications, and resilient public services in line with U.S. strategic and commercial interests.
Component 2: Develop Ukraine’s Cybersecurity Workforce
This component builds the institutional and technical foundation for a civilian cyber workforce capable of securing Ukraine’s critical infrastructure during wartime and sustaining digital resilience throughout long-term recovery. It anchors that workforce in U.S.-backed standards, trusted technology principles, and interoperable training models aligned with allied strategic frameworks. All workforce development activities under this component shall be focused on applied operational capability and demonstrable use of skills, rather than academic, theoretical, or strategy-only training outcomes.
Component 3: Build a Resilient Cybersecurity Industry
This component strengthens Ukraine’s domestic cybersecurity and dual-use technology sector as a frontline contributor to national resilience and a trusted partner in U.S. and allied digital ecosystems. It aims to reduce Ukraine’s reliance on high-risk and adversary-origin platforms, and position select Ukrainian firms as interoperable contributors within U.S. and allied technology supply chains where this serves U.S. strategic, security, and commercial interests.
The Director of Implementation/Component 1 Lead is responsible for the execution of Component 1 activities while coordinating implementation across Components 2 and 3 to ensure integrated delivery, achievement of contractual milestones, and compliance with donor requirements. He/she will ensure delivery of fixed-fee and implementation plan deliverables focused on institutional reform, trusted vendor transition, critical infrastructure modernization, and cyber preparedness. The Director of Implementation/Component 1 Lead must possess a deep understanding of Ukraine’s legislative and regulatory cyber framework, multilateral coordination platforms (e.g., Tallinn Mechanism), and U.S. technology and export compliance priorities.
Responsibilities include overseeing Component 1 activity alignment with relevant U.S. cybersecurity standards and trusted-technology principles (e.g., NIST 800 series, C-SCRM), overseeing and coordinating technical assistance supporting emerging cybersecurity and technology priorities, including relevant frameworks and pilot initiatives, and managing cross-government consultations on cyber resilience and minerals corridor protection. The Lead must work closely with GOU stakeholders (MDT, NSDC, SSSCIP), oversee implementation of trusted-technology transitions, cybersecurity modernization activities, and other approved Component 1 interventions, drawing on appropriate technical specialists as required, and ensure forward-leaning support for pilot innovations such as digital twins and AI cyber labs.
The Director of Implementation/Component 1 Lead will serve as Acting Chief of Party when delegated during periods of COP absence from post.
Required Qualifications:
Advanced degree in cybersecurity, information security, digital governance, information technology, public administration, business administration, or related field.
Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience leading complex cybersecurity, digital transformation, or technology implementation programs.
Demonstrated experience supporting cyber reform and aligning with relevant U.S. and NATO/EU regulatory frameworks (e.g., 5G Toolbox, CISA guidelines) or other internationally recognized cybersecurity standards, guidance, or frameworks.
Proven capacity to lead multi-stakeholder planning, including with GOU agencies and international donors.
Demonstrated experience supervising multidisciplinary technical teams and managing large, multi-stakeholder programs.
Excellent leadership, organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Fluency in English and Ukrainian is required.
Equal Employment Opportunity
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.
DAI and its employees are committed to confronting discrimination in all forms, nurturing respect for our interpersonal relationships, and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.
DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.”
DAI promotes workforce diversity and encourages persons from excluded groups, including persons with disabilities, to apply.
It’s Kyiv-based position, long-term.
Qualified candidates should send their CV and cover letter . by October 2, 2026 6:00pm Kyiv time. Only short-listed candidates will receive notice requesting additional information. Interviews will be conducted on the rolling basis.