*Pending Budget Approval*

1. SUMMARY

The Defence Policy and Planning (DPP) Division leads work in the NATO International Staff on the defence-related aspects of the Alliance’s fundamental security tasks at the political-military level. The Defence Policy and Capabilities Directorate in DPP addresses a wide range of issues related to Alliance deterrence and defence policies and strategies, including the policy aspects of Alliance capabilities.

The Division’s Defence Enablement Section develops, facilitates and supports the development of high-quality advice to NATO and national authorities at the political-military level. The Section contributes to efforts to ensure Alliance military forces receive the support, resources and services they require to enable Supreme Allied Command Europe (SACEUR)’s Area of Responsibility to support NATO’s deterrence and defence posture, particularly from civil and commercial sources, including through collective logistics.

The Head of Section will lead the International Staff’s work on enablement.  This includes:

• developing and coordinating the section’s enablement and logistics-related activities;
• providing political-military advice on Alliance enablement and logistics activities, particularly those related to deterrence and defence; and
• on enablement and logistics policy and planning at the strategic level.

S/he will oversee the provision of policy advice and recommendations, and support to the meetings of the North Atlantic Council (NAC), Logistics Committee (LC), Defence Policy and Planning Committee (DPPC), Resilience Committee (RC), and other relevant NATO entities and senior NATO stakeholders. S/he will ensure that NATO’s enablement and logistics agenda is aligned and directly supports NATO’s strategic and political-military goals.

The incumbent will work in a Division that considers diversity and inclusion as essential to the way it works. At DPP, Diversity and Inclusion is considered to be as important as our programme of work and the number of staff who support it. DPP is a workplace that values each staff member for their contributions, perspectives and potential. At DPP, staff members feel equally involved in and supported in all areas of the workplace.

Key challenges facing the successful candidate for the Head, Enablement Section in the coming five years will include:

1. Advancing NATO’s political-military consultations on enablement and logistics as key elements of the Alliance’s deterrence and defence posture;
2. Supporting the NATO Military Authorities at the strategic level in both defence planning and in operational planning, as appropriate;
3. Facilitating Allied engagement at various levels to ensure national commitment to, including resources for, NATO’s enablement and logistics objectives;
4. Adapting the Logistics Committee and its subordinate structures as appropriate to facilitate Allied and partner engagement and support for achieving NATO objectives; and,Leading NATO staffs’ cooperation with the European Union to advance shared goals in improving military mobility to, from, and across Europe.

In addition to the application form, candidates are expected to submit a Word or pdf document, maximum of two A4 pages, summarizing 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 or equivalent level of qualification in a field relevant for this position;
• have at least 10 years of relevant professional experience in progressively responsible positions, preferably in a civil-military environment;
• have at least 5 years of experience leading, and developing a diverse team of professionals in a complex and multicultural environment;
• have experience working on the key defence and security policy issues of the Alliance;
• have a proven track record in the development, planning, implementation and assessment of multinational cooperation programmes, or defence planning, as well as leading large and complex projects;
• demonstrate a thorough knowledge of and experience in the capacity to develop and analyse enablement and logistics policies, plans and concepts at the strategic level;
• have a good understanding of the Alliance’s political and military consultative processes and their related policies and procedures;
• possess strong political judgement and analytical skills to define and present complex strategies in a compelling manner;
• be able to effectively communicate (clear, logical, persuasive and succinct) with strong writing and briefing skills;
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other;
• willing to work outside normal office hours and travel as required, when required.

DESIRABLE

The following would be considered an advantage:

• a Master’s degree or equivalent level of qualification in a field relevant for the position;
• familiarity with NATO’s work related to resilience and civil preparedness;
• have detailed knowledge of and experience in developing documents related to enablement and logistics policy, doctrine and planning, including those related to NATO’s operational planning and/or the NATO Defence Planning Process;
• be able to demonstrate familiarity with the interrelationships between NATO HQ, the NATO Military Authorities and national civilian authorities in the capitals of Allied and partner countries, as well as the European Union;
• experience in executing similar work for a national administration (including civil ministries and agencies), military or international organization.

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Expertise Development

Provide timely and effective political-military advice to the Director for Defence Policy and Capabilities, the Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning (DASG DPP) and to the Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning (ASG DPP) on the development and implementation of strategic NATO enablement and logistics policies and concepts, including through written products and verbal briefings. Take into account enablement lessons identified and learned from the strategic environment in the development and implementation of enablement and logistics policies and concepts. Assign staff officers to conduct studies and analysis to provide strategic guidance to DPP leadership, the Private Office of the Secretary General, and other stakeholders as required.

Policy Development

Oversee the development of the Alliance’s political and military advice on key defence and security in relation to enablement and logistics in line with overall Alliance priorities and requirements. This includes ensuring the coherence of enablement and logistics policy with NATO’s strategic-level political-military policies and concepts. Monitor compliance with NATO logistics policies and strategic objectives. Coordinate and implement these policies, including outreach policy.

Project Management

Oversee the development of the NATO logistics aims and objectives to facilitate implementation of high-level political and military guidance in the logistics domain; and its implementation. Promote adaptation and improvement of the Alliance’s enablement and logistics-related processes, including through innovation and new technologies.

Stakeholder Management

Oversee political-military activities in support of relevant committees, including the Logistics Committee (LC), Resilience Committee (RC), and the Defence Policy and Planning Committee (DPPC). Develop a network and engage with national representatives, NATO Military Authorities, NATO agencies and officials from other NATO bodies or relevant regional/international organisations to facilitate political-military dialogue on enablement and logistics issues. Support activities conducted by nations through expert meetings and team visits. Contribute to the work of other senior NATO committees as appropriate, and ensure that NATO’s enablement and logistics matters are appropriately reflected in their activities.

Representation of the Organization

Represent the Section at NATO and in various international settings, including through dialogue with government, civilian and military representatives of nations as well as with appropriate commercial actors, and by giving presentations at conferences and seminars.

People Management

Adhere to and promote sound and inclusive leadership and management principles for the Section. Lead a large and diverse team of international staff, VNCs, temps and interns, who execute a variety of objectives and complex tasks, in different and separate sub-teams. Set objectives and establish priorities. Inspire staff to work creatively and collaboratively with limited resources. Work towards a true team spirit, and a positive, productive and inspiring work environment. Be an active listener and provide constructive feedback. Put particular focus on fostering day-to-day staff decisions, with delegated responsibility. Champion diversity and inclusion, provide in-depth mentoring, coaching and training opportunities and be available to offer guidance at critical moments. Ensure that all staff under their responsibility are clear on Organizational, Divisional and Directorate objectives. Provide regular and fair feedback on performance as a staff development tool, throughout every day work, and formally via the HQ Performance Review and Development (PRD) system. Make recommendations for contract renewal or conversion decisions with the best interests of the Organization in mind. Participate in recruitment procedures for vacant posts in the Directorate, in accordance with NATO recruitment guidelines.

Financial Management

Prepare the Section’s budget proposal, justifications and administer budget allocations, determining, with the Director, funding priorities.

Organisational Efficiencies

Ensure the effectiveness of the Logistics Committee, proposing adaptations as appropriate. Adapt Section structures as necessary to ensure maximum efficiency and motivation.

Vision and Direction

Develop, communicate and implement a vision for the future development of the section to face the challenges of the future in an ever-changing working environment. Champion change and federate the team around common objectives, ensuring that vision guides its mid and long-term programme of work. Act as a role model of inclusive leadership and promote resilience and flexibility. Demonstrate creativity and innovation in approaching enablement and logistics-related issues, and develop advice and policy papers accordingly.  Assist the Director for Defence Policy and Capabilities, DASG DPP and ASG DPP in the decision-making process on logistics and enablement issues.

Planning and Execution

Plan for the long-term. Ensure that mid-term work plans are implemented to achieve overall objectives.

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The incumbent reports to the ASG DPP and the DASG DPP through the Director for Defence Policy and Capabilities. S/he will develop close working relationships with other Sections of the Division, and will oversee coordination with other Divisions of the International Staff (IS), the IMS, the Situation Centre, the NATO SCs, national delegations, and with non-NATO entities, as appropriate.

Direct reports: 5

Indirect reports: 2 (Voluntary National Contributions)

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;
• Organisational Awareness: Understands organisational politics;
• Self-Control: Stays composed and positive even under extreme pressure.