1. SUMMARY

The mission of the Operations Division of the International Staff is to prepare NATO for the defence of Alliance territory, to respond to crises at home and abroad, and to strengthen the capabilities of partners. The Operations Division advances the core tasks of the Alliance (Collective Defence, Crisis Management, and Cooperative Security) by providing policy recommendations, situational awareness, advance planning, well-exercised and executed crisis response, and outcome-oriented defence and related security cooperation programmes.
Within the Operations Division, the Defence and Security Cooperation Directorate (DSCD) facilitates political-military decision-making and programme implementation with partner nations to strengthen resilience, promote integrity, transparency, accountability and good governance in the defence and related security sector, and enhance the institutional and defence capabilities of partner nations so that they can better respond to crises at home and abroad.
Within the Defence Security and Cooperation Directorate and the Delivery Section, the Capacity Building team is in charge of provision of practical support to partners through the Defence and related security Capacity Building (DCB) Initiative and other relevant capacity building activities. To date, such support is provided to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iraq, Jordan, Mauritania, the Republic of Moldova, Tunisia and the United Nations through tailored DCB packages. Capacity building support encompasses various types of assistance, including advising, mentoring, education, training and exercises, complemented by specific projects to develop and/or acquire services, equipment, material or infrastructure.
The incumbent supports the development and implementation of DCB “packages” and other relevant capacity building activities for partners. The main tasks include project management within selected DCB packages, funded by the DCB Trust Fund.

2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL
The incumbent must:

• possess a university degree or equivalent qualification from an institute of recognised standing in a relevant discipline;
• have at least 3 years’ experience in the field of defence and security, out of which at least 2 years’ experience with programme or project management;
• have a very good understanding of institution and capacity building processes;
• have knowledge and experience in applying project management methods and tools;
• demonstrate political awareness and a good understanding of NATO partnerships;
• be able to communicate concisely, clearly, logically and persuasively, verbally and in writing, including the ability to translate technical information into verbal/visual presentations for senior decision makers;
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages: (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one and I (“Beginner”) in the other.

DESIRABLE

The following would be considered an advantage:
• knowledge and experience with defence policy issues, transformation and reform of the defence and security sector;
• knowledge and experience with defence/force planning, capability assessment and all aspects of capability development encompassing doctrine and policies, organisation, training, materiel, leadership/education, personnel, facilities, and interoperability;
• knowledge and experience in security- or defence-related cooperation with at least one of the DCB recipient countries (i.e., Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iraq, Jordan, Mauritania, the Republic of Moldova, Tunisia);
• higher level of NATO’s second official language.

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Expertise Development
Keep abreast of NATO partnership policies and priorities, particularly regarding the respective DCB-recipient partner, including the Individually Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP). Develop an in-depth understanding of the partner’s defence and security priorities and plans. Increase depth of knowledge in best practices for capacity building programmes and projects. Apply expertise, perform analyses, consider options and provide recommendations for continued improvement and/or adaptation, and the implementation of the DCB package and associated projects.

Project Management
Support the day-to-day management of one or several DCB packages and associated projects, in line with guidance by the DCB Programme Officer responsible for managing the particular DCB package, and in coordination with personnel on the ground in the DCB-recipient country (where applicable). Design, plan, implement, manage, monitor and coordinate projects to build capacities of selected partner/s. Draft project proposals, assessments and reports. Ensure that project deliverables are attainable and guide their progress. Identify risks and undertake contingency planning. Engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure resourcing and implementation projects. Monitor and evaluate progress. Plan and execute activities to build capacities of selected partner/s. Manage other projects as directed by the DSCD. Develop and implement processes, procedures and tools for project management within DCB.

Financial Management
Plan, manage and monitor budgets for projects. Ensure that expenditure of allocated funds is in line with the NATO’s policies and objectives and additional guidance provided by the DSCD, and is executed in the most cost-effective manner in line with NATO’s financial regulations.

Knowledge Management
Act as a focal point for assigned thematic area/s relevant to capacity building work for partners. Implement and maintain an effective and practical knowledge management system for the DCB package and associated projects. Assist in communication and knowledge sharing efforts through the preparation of reports, background materials, speaking notes and presentations for events and visits to/from NATO. Contribute to the preparation of relevant public briefing materials.

Stakeholder Management
Engage with relevant stakeholders from within NATO structures, Allies and partners, including organisations and agencies executing/implementing NATO’s projects. Work closely with NATO’s internal services, including the Defence and Security Cooperation Directorate’s Resource and Portfolio Management Team, on related funding and financing procedures. Work closely the DCB Coordinators, NATO’s Locally Engaged Staff and experts in DCB-recipient countries (where applicable), and with the authorities of the DCB recipient.
Perform any other related duty as assigned.

4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The incumbent reports to the Capacity Building Team Leader, Delivery Section, DSCD, and supports the work of DCB Programme Officer/s who manage the DCB packages.
Direct reports: n/a
Indirect reports: n/a

5. COMPETENCIES

• Analytical Thinking: Sees multiple relationships;
• Flexibility: Adapts to unforeseen situations;
• Impact and Influence: Takes multiple actions to persuade;
• Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation;
• Organizational Awareness: Understands organisational climate and culture;
• Teamwork: Cooperates.

6. CONTRACT

Contract to be offered to the successful applicant (if non-seconded): Definite duration contract of three years; possibility of renewal for up to 3 years.

Contract clause applicable:

This post is required for a limited period to support the project. As employment in this post is of limited duration, the successful applicant will be offered a definite duration contract of 3 years’ duration , which may be renewed for a period of up to 3 years if required to support this project.

If the successful applicant is seconded from the national administration of one of NATO’s member States, a 3 years definite duration contract will be offered, which may be renewed for a period of up to 3 years if required to support this project, and subject also to the agreement of the national authority concerned.

Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations.

7. USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries. Applications must be submitted using e-recruitment system, as applicable:

• For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal (

);
For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment Before you apply to any position, we encourage you to click here and watch our video providing 6 tips to prepare you for your application and recruitment process.

Do you have questions on the application process in the system and not sure how to proceed? Click here for a video containing the information you need to successfully submit your application on time.

More information about the recruitment process and conditions of employment, can be found at our website (http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/recruit-hq-e.htm)

Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate), approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser, verification of your study(ies) and work experience, and the successful completion of the accreditation and notification process by the relevant authorities.

NATO will not accept any phase of the recruitment and selection prepared, in whole or in part, by means of generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots, such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (Chat GPT), or other language generating tools. NATO reserves the right to screen applications to identify the use of such tools. All applications prepared, in whole or in part, by means of such generative or creative AI applications may be rejected without further consideration at NATO’s sole discretion, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.

8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

NATO is committed to diversity and inclusion, and strives to provide equal access to employment, advancement and retention, independent of gender, age, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, cultural background, sexual orientation, and disability. NATO welcomes applications of nationals from all member Nations, and strongly encourages women to apply.

NATO is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible working environment, where all candidates living with disabilities can fully participate in the recruitment and selection process. If you require reasonable accommodation, please inform us during your selection process.

Candidates will be required to provide documented medical evidence to support their request for accommodation.

Building Integrity is a key element of NATO’s core tasks. As an employer, NATO values commitment to the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability in accordance with international norms and practices established for the defence and related security sector. Selected candidates are expected to be role models of integrity, and to promote good governance through ongoing efforts in their work.

Due to the broad interest in NATO and the large number of potential candidates, telephone or e-mail enquiries cannot be dealt with.

Applicants who are not successful in this competition may be offered an appointment to another post of a similar nature, albeit at the same or a lower grade, provided they meet the necessary requirements.

The nature of this position may require the staff member at times to be called upon to travel for work and/or to work outside normal office hours.

The organization offers several work-life policies including Teleworking and Flexible Working arrangements (Flexitime) subject to business requirements.

Please note that the International Staff at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium is a non-smoking environment.

For information about the NATO Single Salary Scale (Grading, Allowances, etc.) please visit our website. Detailed data is available under the Salary and Benefits tab.

NATO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. For more info please click here.