Director, Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation
La Spezia, Italy
JOB DETAIL
1. SUMMARY
The Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) is an executive body of the Science and Technology Organization (STO) and is governed by the provisions of the STO Charter. The CMRE organizes and conducts scientific research and technology development and delivers innovative, field-tested Science and Technology (S&T) solutions to address the defense and security needs of the Alliance.
The mission of the CMRE is centred on the maritime domain and, conformant with the Science and Technology Board (STB) policy guidance, may extend into other domains to meet customers’ demands. The CMRE is financed through customer funding. Customers comprise NATO Bodies, NATO Nations, and other parties, consistent with NATO policies. The CMRE operates in a challenging international environment, interacting with a broad range of stakeholders from military, political and scientific orientations.
The CMRE Director, acting on behalf of NATO, is authorized to perform the legal actions essential to the CMRE’s operation. Within the policy and regulations established by NATO and by the STB, and within the framework of the STO Charter, s/he will have broad authority, exercised either personally or through appropriate delegation, to direct the CMRE.
The CMRE Director is directly responsible to the STB for the effective and efficient running of the Centre.
Key challenges facing the successful candidate for Director, CMRE during the next 3 years will likely include:
- Leading and managing an efficient and effective organization which is responsive to customer requirements and recognized for its technical competencies.
- Sustaining the Centre’s technical expertise and critical infrastructure to retain its standing as a source of world-class research and experimentation capabilities, particularly at a time when budgets are under scrutiny.
- Expanding the Centre’s customer base to ensure continued viability while retaining focus on NATO needs.
- Establishing and maintaining strong relationship with the NATO Science & Technology Organization, in particular the NATO Science & Technology Board and the NATO Chief Scientist, as well as relevant stakeholders in NATO Headquarters, Allied Command Transformation, NATO Member Nations and Partner Nations.
- Overseeing a major capability upgrade.
2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL
The incumbent must:
- have a university degree or an equivalent qualification in a field relevant for this position;
- have at least 15 years’ relevant professional experience, including recent experience in senior-level leadership positions;
- have significant experience (at least 10 years) in successively higher levels of managerial responsibilities culminating in the leadership of entities or activities comparable to CMRE size (about 140 personnel for an estimated budget of 30 M€);
- have experience in the leadership and management of a highly qualified workforce and sophisticated technological assets in S&T organizations of recognized national or international standing;
- have the ability to create and maintain a network of contacts and relationships for the benefit of the organization;
- have experience in change leadership and restructuring;
- have entrepreneurial and business development skills;
- have experience working in a multinational environment or an environment with a variety of stakeholders from multi-cultural backgrounds;
- be able to demonstrate strategic and innovative thinking;
- 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:
- an advanced university degree;
- a leadership experience in the defence sector;
- experience as a seasoned professional in science, technology; research and development with a solid international reputation;
- demonstrated record of leading successful organizational transformation;
- senior-level experience in implementation of innovation in the maritime domain;
- experience in leading successful customer-funded and business oriented organizations;
- experience with accountability to government administrations;
- knowledge of quality management principles;
- knowledge of the host country language: (Please note that, the position is located in Italy and the host country language is Italian);
- knowledge of the French language: level II (“elementary”) or higher.
3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES
Expertise Development
Provide senior assistance, advice and recommendation for her/his staff. Motivate subject matter experts under her/his direct authority to describe, explain and share their knowledge with others within the Centre. Approve the release of publications and technical documents developed in the framework of the CMRE Programme. Contribute to S&T-based knowledge brokering in support of the Chief Scientist in his/her role of senior scientific advisor. Provide to the STB, an annual review of CMRE staff structures and levels, with special attention to international military personnel. Submit business cycle documents, consistent with agreed direction and guidance.
Financial Management
Supervise the development and the implementation of the business and financial plans for the Centre in conjunction with the strategic priorities of the Centre with a view to achieving demonstrable increased effectiveness, efficiency and savings. Oversee the proper and timely implementation of cohesive financial resources policies, procurement and related processes. Propose customer rates (including overheads) to ensure a balance between planned income and expenditure. Prepare budget estimates, execute approved budgets and prepare financial reports to the STB. Oversee that concluded contracts are financed as agreed with the customer.
Organisational Efficiencies
Consolidate and rationalize tasks and functions of existing entities to allow timely organizational adjustments needed to respond to the customer programme of work. Ensure continued efficiency of ongoing and new programmes. Ensure continued efficiency of on-going and new programmes. Guarantee flexibility and capability of programmes to timely respond to customers’ emerging requirements. Develop clear lines of communication to facilitate collaboration, communication and transparency of activities. Identify, plan and implement initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, effectiveness and savings across all areas of the Centre.
People Management
Direct and oversee the activities of the Centre and effectively lead and manage a diverse multinational staff, leading an international staff of approximately 160 people. Provide advice and guidance in sensitive cases. Provide in-depth mentoring, coaching and training opportunities and provide regular and fair feedback on performance. Be available to offer guidance at critical moments. Select and appoint the civilian personnel and integrate military personnel as per Manpower Policy and Procedures. Ensure all Centre staff has a clear understanding of the Centre’s objectives. Promote integrity, professionalism and accountability through a sound and inclusive leadership culture.
Planning and Execution
Exercise responsibility for the efficient performance of the CMRE Plan, in coherence with the CMRE mission, the activities required to organize and conduct scientific research and technology development and deliver innovative and field-tested S&T solutions to address the defence and security needs of the Alliance. Exercise contracting authority delegated to her/him by the STB. Prepare and submit an annual report to the STB on the activities and performance of the CMRE, including the execution of the Programme of Work and the attainment of the Centre’s objectives. Report the execution of the decisions of the STB using the proper channels. Manage the overall day-to-day business of the Centre. Prepare management plans, drafts budgets and financial statements for CMRE. Implement the activities, including risk management and contract audit, to achieve the cost, schedule and performance objectives. Evaluate, establish and adjust priorities. Make decisions, and assume full accountability for actions and decisions taken.
Policy Development
Issue guidance for the policy development related to the Centre’s activity. Attend meetings of the STB, provide expert inputs, carry out the decisions of the STB and implement its policies and guidance. Contribute to elaborating and implementing the STO Policies and Directives.
Representation of the Organization
Represent the Centre within STB, NATO and outside. Engage with industry on contractual or business development issues relating to the Centre’s area of activity.
Stakeholder Management
Interact at senior level with Allies’ and Partner’s delegations and Industry in seeking to develop consensus positions or discuss aspects of political issues under consideration at NATO. Establish and maintain close working relations with national delegations to NATO, including those of Partner nations. Develop and maintain long-term relationships with stakeholders, partners, and sponsors. Build relationships with senior representatives of the STO, NATO nations and other bodies. Have regular professional contact at the senior management levels of all the Centre’s stakeholders. Provide advisory support, as directed by the Chief Scientist, to the STB in its strategic roles, in particular for implementing the coordinated long-term NATO S&T Strategy, generating NATO S&T Priorities and for the contribution of the STO to the defence planning process.
Vision and Direction
Set a strategic vision, establish challenging goals, and achieve useful results in the overall context of volatile budgets and dynamic requirements. Ensure follow-up and implementation. Identify further business opportunities. Draw up the necessary implementing regulations in compliance with the provisions of NATO Security Policy and supporting directives. Contribute to partnerships and other officially established NATO programmes.
Perform any other related duty as assigned.
4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS
The CMRE Director is responsible to the STB. The incumbent ensures that the objectives of the Centre are consistent with the strategic objectives of the Alliance. S/he is responsible for the management of the Centre and develops close working relationships with all relevant civil and military, national and international stakeholders. The incumbent is required to conduct discussions at senior levels with representatives of the Science and Technology Organization, NATO nations and other bodies and have regular professional contact typically at senior management level inside and outside the Organization with political awareness, good listening and negotiating skills, tact, judgment and adaptability. The incumbent should be able to develop long-term strategic relationships with stakeholders, partners and sponsors. S/he should also be able to understand, explain and present complex ideas to both specialist and non-specialist audiences at all levels in a clear, concise, persuasive manner, both written and oral.
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Direct reports: 8
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Indirect reports: 131
5. COMPETENCIES
The incumbent must demonstrate:
- Achievement: Demonstrates decisiveness based on solid considerations and trade-offs;
- Change Leadership: Champions change;
- Conceptual Thinking: Creates new concepts;
- Developing Others: Provides in-depth mentoring, coaching and training;
- Impact and Influence: Uses complex influence strategies;
- Initiative: Plans and acts for the long-term;
- Leadership: Communicates a compelling vision;
- Organisational Awareness: Understands underlying issues;
- Self-Control: Stays composed and positive even under extreme pressure.
6. CONTRACT
The incumbent will be offered a definite duration contract of three years. At the discretion of the STB, a contract extension for a further period not exceeding three years may be exceptionally considered.
NATO’s Secretary General will appoint the selected candidate.
7. RECRUITMENT PROCESS
As part of their application, candidates are kindly requested to attach one MS Word document or pdf document summarising their views on the key challenges (see point 5) and how they would address them if selected for the position. Essays should be limited to maximum two A4 page (800 words per page).
The title of the attachment must include the vacancy reference 230410 and the words “Key challenges”.
Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries.
Applications must be submitted using e-recruitment system, as applicable:
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For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal (link);
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For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment
Please note that the competition for this post is provisionally scheduled as follows:
Pre-selection testing will take place mid May 2023; Final selection on 30-31 May and 1 June 2023, in Brussels, Belgium.
Pre-selection testing will take place mid May 2023; Final selection on 30-31 May and 1 June 2023, in Brussels, Belgium.
Please note that at the time of the interviews, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of their education and professional experience as relevant for this vacancy.
Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate) and approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser.
More information can be found at our website (http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/recruit-hq-e.htm).
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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