Scientist (Data, AI and Innovation)

Post Context

The Joint Analysis and Lessons Learned Centre (JALLC) is NATO’s Centre dedicated to support Alliance-wide implementation and sustainment of NATO’s lesson learned (LL) policy and to improve NATO’s ability to operate and adapt, through LL analysis, training, advising and assessment activities enabling the establishment of effective lessons learned capabilities across NATO.
The Office of Chief of Staff is responsible for managing all the activities of the staff.

Although positioned organizationally within the Office of the Chief of Staff, the incumbent provides data science, AI, and innovation support to the overall tasking of the JALLC, under supervision of the nominated Innovation Facilitator.

Principal Duties:

• Develop and deliver in-house data science/AI solutions contributing to the digital transformation of JALLC, the NATO LL Capability, towards NATO 2030, in particular connected to the 3-year JALLC AI Research & Analysis Tool prototyping project in the NS SANDI Sandbox environment;
• Support and facilitate JALLC’s annual cycle of Innovation Project planning and management;
• Lead, or participate in JALLC Innovation Project teams;
• Lead, or participate in Innovation Project tasks including project/problem/requirements definition, planning, management, research/analysis, technical delivery, and report writing;
• Advise JALLC Innovation Facilitator and Innovation Project leads on technical aspects of JALLC’s Innovation Projects;
• Conduct market research to identify and recommend appropriate solution providers for JALLC Innovation Projects;
• Develop statements of work, and when appropriate, act as Contracting Officer Technical Representative for contracts under the JALLC Innovation Plan.
• Represent JALLC’s interests in data science, AI, and innovation-related NATO meetings and groups.
• Build relationships and work closely with staff with similar responsibilities from across NATO, Allies and Partners.

Essential Qualifications / Experience:

• University Degree  in information technology, economics, statistics, operations research or related discipline  and 4 years post related experience, or Higher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training  in that discipline leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 5 years post related and 2 years function related experience.
• Five years related professional experience, which encompasses three years developing and deploying data science or AI solutions and one year managing projects and contracts.
• Three years’ experience developing and deploying data science and AI solutions using Python.
• Recent training/professional development/experience in the latest available tools for processing language, specifically: Large Language Models, Natural Language Processing Models, Retrieval Augmented Generation and Knowledge Graphs.
• Training and experience in design thinking and innovation management.
• One year experience planning and managing Innovation Projects.
• One year experience developing and managing contracts and contractors.

Language:

English – SLP 3333 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

Desirable Qualifications / Experience:

• Experience working as an innovation manager.
• Related Masters degree.
• French SLP 1111 (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

Attributes/Competencies:

Personal Attributes:

• Clarity and Accuracy: Double-checks the accuracy of work received or given. Checks own work and ensures the quality of service provided. Monitors quality of others’ work. Checks to see that procedures are followed;
• Conceptual Thinking: Takes complex ideas or problems and translates them into clear, simple and understandable concepts. Can handle incomplete, missing or ambiguous information. Develops new concepts and explores new approaches in order to explain situations or resolve problems. Starts new lines of thought aimed at reaching key objectives;
• Flexibility: Works effectively in a changing environment. Adapts to change by actively revising own behaviors, methods and priorities. Applies procedures flexibly, where context allows, in order to get a job done or to meet agreed objectives;
• Leadership: Takes specific actions and creates the conditions that enable the team to function optimally and perform at its best.
• Team work: Focuses on resolving problems, rather than blaming others. Displays willingness to learn from others, including subordinates and peers. Solicits ideas and opinions to shape specific decisions or plans;
• Impact and Influence: Carefully prepares information and supporting arguments in anticipation of others’ reactions. Adapts a presentation or discussion to appeal to the interests and work environment of others. Calculates the impact of actions, words etc. on the audience and selects language and examples which are appropriate to the situation and level of staff dealt with;
• Empathy: Relates well to people of diverse backgrounds. Can see things from someone else’s perspective. Invites exchanges and expresses interest in others to understand them better;
• Good health and a willingness to work outside of the normal office environment (e.g. on military units) and hours are essential. Will work on their own initiative within the scope of the general requirements set by management personnel.

Managerial Responsibilities:

The post has considerable management responsibilities within the context of the JALLC Innovation Framework. The post is supervised by the nominated Innovation Facilitator, and reports to the Chief of Staff. The post is responsible for leading Innovation Project teams and managing technical solutions developed for JALLC.

Professional Contacts:

The post will maintain an active network of professional contacts throughout NATO and beyond to maintain up-to-date skills and knowledge. The post will represent JALLC in innovation related events and groups, including at the senior level, and with direct engagement with national representatives via NATO committees and groups. The post is not authorized take decisions that commit the organization or organizational resources.

Contribution To Objectives:

The post directly contributes to the JALLC strategic objective “Anchored to the Future”. Thus, preparing and enabling JALLC to meet its NATO 2030 commitments.

Security Clearance

The successful applicant will be required to apply for and receive a NATO SECRET Security Clearance prior to final confirmation of contract and commencement of employment.

Contract

This position is linked to a specific NATO project and is for a limited duration of 3 (three) years only.
Serving NATO International Civilian staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations.  Newly recruited staff will be offered a three year definite duration contract.

Notes for Candidates

The HQ SACT web site gives full details on the eligibility criteria and application processes to be adopted by all candidates.  However, candidates should particularly note:

Please answer each of the pre-screening questions completely in English. Expressions such as: “please see attached CV, please see annex, please see enclosed document, etc” are not acceptable; this is a cause of immediate rejection of the application.

Particular attention should be given to Education and Experience section of your application form, which should be populated with details of your career to date and educational achievements and certifications as they relate to your application.

The candidature of NATO redundant staff at grade G15 will be considered with priority.
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.

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

This vacancy will close on 10 August 2026 @ 17:59hrs (EDT)/11:59hrs (CEST).