WINWIN Ukrainian Global Innovation Strategy 2030 (Innovation Strategy) has been developed by the Ministry of Digital Transformation (MDT) of Ukrainian and approved by the Government of Ukraine. The Innovation Strategy outlines the key vision, goals, priorities, principles and policies in the field of innovation development in Ukraine with the following sectors in focus: Defense technology (DefTech), Medical technologies (MedTech), Biotechnologies (BioTech), Technologies in governance (GovTech), Agricultural technologies (AgroTech), Educational technologies (EdTech), Semiconductor technologies (Semiconductors), Cybersecurity  (Secured Cyber Space), Technologies for green transformation (GreenTech), Immersive technologies (XR), Artificial intelligence (AI), Autonomous unmanned vehicle (AUV), Space technologies (SpaceTech), Fluid Economy.

Under the supervision of the Program Director based in Tbilisi (Georgia), the Deputy Program Director, based in Chisinau (Moldova) and the Country Coordinator (Ukraine), the WINWIN SpaceTech Lead will be seconded to the ministry of Digital Transformation and will be responsible for leading the strategic development and coordination of the SpaceTech sector within the WINWIN Innovation Strategy, with a focus on regulation, innovation, ecosystem development, and cross-sectoral collaboration. 

The role requires a high degree of autonomy and interpersonal skills suitable for an international and multicultural environment. Building connections with local stakeholders is crucial for the project's success.

Objectives and tasks

In close collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukrainian, the expert will perform the following tasks:

1. Strategic Sectoral Planning:

•       Shape the strategic vision and priorities for SpaceTech sectors within the WINWIN Innovation Strategy framework.

•       Develop and maintain the sectoral roadmap and operational MDT`s OKR-based plan.

•       Ensure alignment with national innovation goals and other priorities of WINWIN Innovation Strategy fields of development.

2. Policy and Regulatory Development:

•       Lead efforts to harmonize regulations and foster a supportive enabling environment.

•       Coordinate localization of international production capacities.

•       Co-design incentive policies for domestic innovations and manufacturing.

3. Ecosystem Development and Market Building:

•       Promote domestic production of cutting-edge AeroSpace technologies.

•       Facilitate the development of an ecosystem its AeroSpace technologies and hardware components.

4. Innovation, R&D, and Product Piloting:

•       Minimum 3 pilot initiatives launched across focus areas.

5. Infrastructure and Cluster Building:

•       Facilitate establishment of the WINWIN AeroSpace Center of Excellence (CoE) as a flagship infrastructure project.

•       Coordinate creation and scaling of a national AeroSpace cluster.

•       Identify and manage infrastructure projects enabling ecosystem growth.

6. International Partnerships and Strategic Engagements:

•       Attract global partners, investors, and technology providers.

•       Forge alliances with leading international institutions.

•       Enable technology transfer and collaborative innovation with international stakeholders.

7. Education and Workforce Development:

•       Design trainings and upskilling programs for AreroSpace sectors.

•       Collaborate with universities to embed sectoral content into formal education.

•       Promote interdisciplinary programmes at the intersection of DeepTech/AeroSpace and engineering.

8. Foresight and Future-Looking Initiatives:

•       Identify emerging trends and technologies with high innovation potential.

•       Support experimental R&D.

9. Cross-Sector Coordination and Team Collaboration:

•       Work closely with other WINWIN sector leads to integrate SpaceTech across the sectors.

•       Share insights, resources, and opportunities for cross-sector synergies.

Expected deliverables 

●        Sectoral roadmap and operational plan developed and approved;

●        National SpaceTech ecosystem mapped;

●        At least 70% of MDT`s OKR achievement facilitated within 12 months;

●        Minimum 3 pilot initiatives launched across focus areas;

●        SpaceTech CoE operational and at least one educational program launched;

●        2+ international engagements or events delivered;

●        Monthly MDT`s OKR progress updates and quarterly strategy reports submitted.

Contribution to communication and visibility

●        Ensure visibility of the EU4Innovation East project together with its donors and implementing entity (EU, French Republic, Expertise France and EU4Innovation East) and reference in all communications related to the assignment.

●        Align with the EU4IE communication team on all the external communications related to the assignment.

Mission Timeframe

The expert will work on a task order basis and must provide the project with timesheets describing his/her involvement in the implementation of this service. 

The expert may also be required to participate in missions organized by Expertise France.

The EU4Innovation East is a regional project aiming at enhancing the competitiveness of the startup ecosystem within 5 countries of the Eastern Partnership (EaP): Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. At the heart of the project is a strategy designed to nurture high-performance incubators, expand funding and market opportunities for startups, and provide tailored support to Ukraine’s emerging tech sector. Through strategic co-financing, skills development, regulatory assistance, and a strong commitment to gender inclusion, EU4Innovation East is laying the foundation for sustainable, long-term growth in the region, ensuring that innovation is both inclusive and impactful.

The EU4Innovation East project is funded by the European Union, co-funded by the French government and implemented by Expertise France.

●        Master's degree in law, economics, finance, project management, political science, international relations/cooperation, or a relevant field;

●         3+ years of experience in SpaceTech, DeepTech, AeroSpace innovation, or related fields;

●        Proven ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives;

●        Familiarity with innovation ecosystems, public-private partnerships, and donor relations

●        Strong understanding of regulatory environments and startup dynamics;

●        Experience working with government, private sector, and multilateral organizations.

●        Proficiency in English is required; knowledge of French is a plus.

Required Knowledge, Experience, Skills, and Abilities

●        Experience in legislative framework analysis and development;

●        Proven ability to lead cross-sectoral and international initiatives;

●        Ability to develop an integrated approach to innovation, SpaceTech, DeepTech both at international and national level;

●        Strong involvement in the Ukrainian innovation ecosystem, in particular SpaceTech and DeepTech and good knowledge of its different players;

●        Knowledge of private sector development and entrepreneurship-related issues and/or working with ministries responsible for digital issues;

●        Skills in developing technical, narrative, and progress reports;

●        Good knowledge of cooperation mechanisms and public development aid, especially for projects funded by the European Union and/or other European donors is a plus;

●        Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and gender approaches is an advantage;

●        Previous experience with one or more Eastern Neighborhood countries is a significant plus.

Soft Skills

●        Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills;

●        Excellent ability to build connections;

●        Teamwork (multicultural) and adaptability;

●        Diplomacy, empathy, and conflict management skills;

●        Sense of responsibility, initiative, and responsiveness;

●        Pragmatic and results-oriented;

●        Organizational skills, rigor, and proactivity.

Application process

The application should include:

●       CV

●       Track record of similar projects/initiatives implemented

●       3 contact persons for professional reference (name/position/company/email/phone number)

●        Financial offer (incl. rate per day)

Application deadline

The applications should be submitted by August 10, 2025.