1. SUMMARY
The Innovation, Hybrid & Cyber (IHC) Division provides a coordinated approach for NATO to the emerging security challenges of the 21st Century. It serves as NATO HQ’s focal point for policy development on issues linked to innovation and Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDTs), Data and Artificial Intelligence, cyber, hybrid, energy security, security of critical undersea infrastructure, as well as the impact of climate change on security. The Division also promotes security cooperation on these challenges through a variety of different programmes, with Allies and with partner nations, as well as with industry, academia and with other International Organisations.
Notably, the Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme is a key scientific support programme developing and implementing joint scientific cooperative projects with concrete deliverables between NATO and partners. It provides a forum for bringing together a network of experts and scientists who will contribute to collectively finding solutions to emerging security challenges through civil cooperation projects. Networks of scientists and experts from allied and partner nations contribute by conducting joint cooperative scientific projects in the following areas of interest: EDTs, counter terrorism, data science, energy security, cyber security and environmental security, including the security impact of climate change.
The Head, Science for Peace and Security (SPS) and Partnerships manages the SPS Programme and coordinates the Division’s cooperation with NATO partners.
The incumbent is responsible for developing, monitoring and implementing the SPS Programme and is responsible for establishing and driving forward multi-stakeholder cooperation projects.
Key Challenges facing the successful candidate will include:
1. Implementing the SPS Programme and use the programme to advance NATO’s EDT policy objectives and to support the Alliance’s efforts to expedite the adoption of EDT and new technological products.
2. Identifying practical ways and actions to facilitate a sustainable collaboration on EDT between NATO and NATO partners based on mutually beneficial engagements, while ensuring coherence of efforts in the IHC division.
In addition to the application form, candidates are expected to submit a Word or pdf document, maximum of two A4 pages, summarising their views on the key (and possible other) challenges, and how they would address them if selected for the position.
2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL
The incumbent must:
* possess a university degree in science, technology or engineering from a university or institute of recognised standing, or equivalent relevant studies;
* have at least 10 years of relevant experience in the management of scientific or engineering research programmes, with a focus on security policy and/or international relations, for a national administration or in an international environment, out of which 5 years in team management and coordination.
* have experience working with academic communities and government institutions in NATO member and partner countries;
* possess strong and proven people management and programme management skills;
* have proven experience in technology foresight and technology research trends, particularly in their possible applications to defence and security;
* be conversant with the Alliance’s political and military consultative processes and key security policy issues on its agenda;
* be able to draft quickly, clearly and concisely, give convincing presentations and negotiate at senior level, and prepare quality products under time pressure;
* have excellent networking and communication skills;
* have excellent analytical skills;
* be able to chair committees and task forces in a result-oriented manner;
* possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages: (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one and II (“Elementary”) in the other;
* be flexible to travel and to work outside normal office hours.
DESIRABLE
The following would be considered an advantage:
* certified programme management skills;
* PhD in science, technology or engineering;
* experience conducting scientific research.
3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES
Policy Development
Support the development of policies relevant for the efficient implementation of the SPS programme. Contribute to the development of policy, strategy and conceptual papers developed by staff and Allies. Ensure that the SPS programme is guided by the Alliance’s priorities on EDT and cooperation with partners, as it relates to EDT, and notably focussing on the implementation of the NATO Ukraine Innovation Cooperation Roadmap.
Expertise Development
Lead and manage the review and evaluation process of SPS project proposals. Chair and manage the Independent Scientific Evaluation Group, consisting of members nominated by nations. Provide advice and recommendations on the SPS programme and relevant cross-cutting issues. Initiate dialogue on collaborative research, furthering efforts in areas relevant to emerging and disruptive technologies and other agreed key priority areas. Draft speeches, reports, briefing materials, and other items for high-level meetings.
Knowledge Management
Oversee the information and data management for SPS related projects. Be responsible for the development and application of assessment tools and techniques. Liaise with national administrations and international organisations and exchange information on policy and programme planning and evaluation.
Organisational Efficiencies
Ensure cross-sectional and divisional collaboration, and promote the work of the SPS programme across the organisation. Enhance coordination and harmonise the different aspects of work.
Project Management
Develop, coordinate, implement, monitor and report on SPS projects. Verify that the responsible parties complete project and programme phases on time. Ensure post-evaluation of projects, in line with IBAN requirements. Prepare and present updated progress reports and documents on the SPS Programme activities for national approval.
Stakeholder Management
Maintain and encourage appropriate interactions with other organisations concerned with scientific and security issues. Liaise on a regular basis with delegations of NATO members and partner countries, and relevant national administrators to encourage increased participation in SPS projects and to develop new, collaborative projects. Work with stakeholders at multiple levels across the NATO enterprise, in particular with the NATO Science and Technology Organisation, the Political Affairs and Security Policy Division, and Allied Command Transformation, with Allied nations, NATO partners, and other international organizations, the private sector and academia. Coordinates the Division’s cooperation with NATO partners.
Financial Management
Advise management and stakeholders on funding implications and decisions. Oversee the implementation of grant decisions. Oversee financial disbursement requests for the programme and projects sponsored by SPS.
People Management
Ensure the proper management and coherent tasking of human resources in the Unit, also of those SPS team members, which are embedded, in other functional teams of the division.
Representation of the Organization
Represent NATO at international conferences, seminars and workshops. Organise, prepare and give presentations to senior government officials. Present and communicate in co-operation with the NATO Public Diplomacy Division (PDD), the entire programme to the public. Organise events, and information days in NATO and partner countries, as needed.
Perform any other related duty as assigned.
4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS
The incumbent reports to the Director Innovation and through them to the Deputy Assistant Secretary General IHC. The incumbent represents the SPS Programme to Nations and to Committees and therefore will be considered an authority on SPS subject matter. In addition, the incumbent is required to work with and to seek out the cooperation of a diverse group of highly specialised experts and to coordinate SPS Programme and projects with NATO stakeholders and other institutions and organisations.
Direct reports: 8
Indirect reports: N/A
5. COMPETENCIES
The incumbent will demonstrate the following competencies:
* Achievement: Sets and works to meet challenging goals;
* Change Leadership: Personally, leads change;
* Conceptual Thinking: Clarifies complex data or situations;
* Developing Others: Provides in-depth mentoring, coaching and training;
* Impact and Influence: Uses indirect influence;
* Initiative: Plans and acts for the long-term;
* Leadership: Positions self as the leader;
* Organizational Awareness: Understands organizational politics;
* Self-Control: Stays composed and positive even under extreme pressure.
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 three years, during which the incumbent may apply for conversion to an indefinite duration contract.
Contract clause applicable: In accordance with the contract policy, this is a post in which turnover is desirable for political reasons in order to be able to accommodate the Organisation's need to carry out its tasks as mandated by the Nations in a changing environment, for example by maintaining the flexibility necessary to shape the Organisation's skills profile, and to ensure appropriate international diversity. The maximum period of service foreseen in this post is 6 years. The successful applicant will be offered a 3-year definite duration contract, which may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years. However, according to the procedure described in the contract policy the incumbent may apply for conversion to an indefinite contract during the period of renewal and no later than one year before the end of contract. If the successful applicant is seconded from the national administration of one of NATO’s member States, a 3-year definite duration contract will be offered, which may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years subject also to the agreement of the national authority concerned. The maximum period of service in the post as a seconded staff member is six years. Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Régulations.
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.
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Please note that the competition for this post is provisionally scheduled as follows:
Pre-selection testing on February 2025
Final selection on April 2025, in Brussels, Belgium.
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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. 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.
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