1. Post Context.
The mission of the NATO Science & Technology Organization (STO) is to help position the Nations and NATO’s S&T investments as a strategic enabler of the knowledge and technical advantage for the defence and security posture of NATO and Partner Nations.
The Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) is chartered to provide executive and administrative support to the Chief Scientist in fulfilling his/her roles as the Chair of the STB and the senior scientific advisor at NATO Headquarters.
The Strategy & Policy Branch (GSX) provides the primary support to the Chief Scientist in policy development and the implementation of policies and programmes. The Branch drafts and develops the STB guidance for the STO, the NATO S&T Enterprise and the wider S&T ecosystem, and oversees its implementation. Furthermore, SPO performs strategic outreach to NATO S&T Enterprise and ecosystem, promotes STO partnerships, and prepares strategic messages for the Chief Scientist at STO corporate level.
2. Principal Duties.
The Officer, Strategy Implementation supports to the Chief Scientist by developing and planning the STO's implementation of the NATO S&T Strategy, and monitoring NATO-wide implementation of the NATO S&T Strategy. In coordination with the Senior Strategy Officer and guidance of the Head, Strategy & Policy, the incumbent is responsible for:
a. Developing and planning implementation measures for the STO, in coordination with the NATO S&T Enterprise, as relevant; by:
• Proposing and developing implementation measures across all strategic goals and objectives;
• Supporting the development of policies, frameworks and tools to streamline strategy implementation processes within the STO;
• Consulting within the NATO S&T Enterprise on STO-led implementation initiatives to promote synergies;
b. Monitoring ongoing and planned strategy implementation measures across the NATO S&T Enterprise by:
• Maintaining an overview of ongoing and planned strategy implementation measures across the NATO S&T Enterprise;
• Analysing the collective implementation measures to identify potential gaps, and proposing specific actions to address those gaps;
• Drafting and delivering implementation update reports to the STB in order to provide insights on implementation progress and further courses of action;
• Supporting the development of the STB report to Council on strategy implementation progress across the NATO S&T Enterprise
c. Supporting the STB’s governance roles by:
• Contributing to the development and update of the NATO S&T Priorities and the NATO S&T Strategy;
• Assisting in developing and maintaining STO Policies and Directives;
• Assisting in developing direction and guidance for the operations of the STO Executive Bodies in compliance with the NATO corporate governance principles and policies.
3. Special Requirements and Additional Duties.
• Performing other related functions, as directed by the Chief Scientist.
• The functions involve irregular working hours and frequent travel abroad, including on weekends.
4. Essential Qualifications.
a. Professional/Experience.
The incumbent must have:
• Minimum 3 years of experience in strategy implementation, program management, or organizational development, preferably within an international organization
• Proven track record in delivering complex projects and initiatives in multinational settings. Experience working with defense, security, or scientific research is an asset
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and project management skills and organizational abilities;
• Strong communication skills, delivering presentations and reports to stakeholders, clearly communicating progress, challenges and recommendations
• Broad knowledge of research and development organisations, programmes and activities within NATO member states’ S&T communities.
• In-depth knowledge of strategic planning concepts and methods.
• Broad operational knowledge of military technology.
• 3-year experience in working in an international environment having demonstrated the capability of working in a multinational and multicultural environment. This pertains in particular to NATO or comparable organizations.
• Sufficient programme/project managerial experience in the same or related career field at various levels of responsibility.
• Working knowledge of office word processing, spreadsheet, graphics presentations and database software.
b. Education/Training.
• A degree from a university or institute of recognised standing or an equivalent qualification from a defence/military institution, for example in a scientific, technical, engineering or mathematical discipline, or a master degree in International Relations, Defence, Business Administration, or a related field.
c. Language Requirements.
• Very good knowledge of one of the two official NATO languages, English or French (SLP 4444), good knowledge of the other (SLP 3333). The work is mainly conducted in the English language.
5. Desirable Qualifications.
a. Professional /Experience
The post holder should have:
• Practical management experience in planning, programming and budgeting;
• Practical experience in database design, management, and maintenance;
• Proven skills in leadership, conflict resolution, negotiating, chairing meetings, authorship of clear and concise documents, and giving effective presentations.
• Proficiency in data analysis, visualization tools and performance-tracking tools
• Ability to work collaboratively in multicultural teams and handle multiple priorities under tight deadlines
b. Education/Training
• A state or university post-graduate degree in a scientific, technical, engineering or mathematical discipline of interest to defence and/or security.
c. Language Requirements.
• Knowledge of other languages
6. Attributes/Competencies:
a. Personal Attributes:
• Initiative.
• Tact and capacity to co-operate and work harmoniously with high-level civilian and military personnel of different NATO Nations.
• Reliability.
• Trustworthiness, discretion and high sense of responsibility.
b. Managerial Responsibilities: NA
c. Professional Contacts:
• Interacts daily with the Chief Scientist and other staff members in the OCS, who are International Military Personnel or NATO International Civilians.
• Deals with high-level scientists, engineers and military personnel from NATO and Partner Nations.
• Co-ordinates activities with members of the NATO Science & Technology Board, National Co-ordinators, Chairs of the STO Panels and Group, and Directors and Staff of the STO Executive Bodies;
• Interacts with NATO officials at the policy & strategy level.
d. Contribution to Objectives: The Officer, Strategy Implementation plans the STO's measures for implementing the NATO S&T Strategy, and monitors NATO-wide implementation efforts.
7. Remarks. None.
Contract to be offered to the successful applicant (if non seconded): Definite duration contract of 3 years; possibility of renewal for up to 3 years.
Contract clause applicable:
As employment in this post is required for a limited period, the successful applicant will be offered a definite duration contract of 3 years’ duration, which, if required, may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years.
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, if required, may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years, 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.
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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 reference documents without proper quotes (plagiarism), or any tools available on internet, including but not limited to translation facilities, or generative artificial-intelligence (AI) 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 tools will be rejected without further consideration, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.
10. 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.
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