PENDING BUDGET APPROVAL

1.    SUMMARY

The mission of the Operations Division of the International Staff is to prepare NATO for the defence of Alliance territory, to respond to crises at home and abroad, and to strengthen the capabilities of partners. The Operations Division advances the core tasks of the Alliance (Deterrence and Defence, Crisis Prevention and Management, Cooperative Security) by providing situational awareness, advance planning, well-exercised and executed crisis response and outcome-oriented defence and related security cooperation programmes.

Within the Division, the Defence Security and Cooperation Directorate (DSCS) facilitates political-military decision-making and programme implementation with partner nations to strengthen resilience, promote integrity, transparency, accountability and good governance in the defence and related security sector, and enhance the institutional and defence capabilities of partner nations so that they can better respond to crises at home and abroad.

As the focus for NATO defence and related security cooperation initiatives, the Delivery Section of the Directorate manages programme implementation tools to develop effective and efficient state defence and related security institutions under democratic control that comply with international norms and practices, and to develop forces and capabilities that can operate effectively nationally and with NATO forces, when appropriate.

One of these tools is the NATO-Republic of Moldova Professional Development Programme (PDP). The PDP constitutes one of the initiatives of the Enhanced Defence Capacity Building (DCB) Package for the Republic of Moldova.

The PDP aims to provide professional development to civilian personnel and enhance civil service capabilities in defence and security institutions of the Republic of Moldova, with the objective to contribute to Moldova’s national security. Furthermore, the PDP intends to contribute to continued civil and democratic control of the armed forces; facilitate the delivery of security and defence reforms; and augment an integrated government approach to defence and security. The PDP was launched in 2023 with the perspective of a six-year duration, comprising three phases, each planned for two years. The first phase serves to initiative and establish the PDP. In subsequent phases, the PDP shall gradually transition to Moldovan ownership.

The incumbent will be based in Chisinau. S/he is responsible for the management of the NATO-Republic of Moldova PDP, and leading of the Programme Team, which includes a Project Officer (Locally Engaged Staff) whose role is to implement individual projects within the PDP and provide administrative support to the Programme. The incumbent reports to the Capacity Building Team Leader. S/he liaises closely with the NATO DCB Coordinator in Chisinau, the Head of the NATO Liaison Office in Chisinau, the PDP Programme Board and other Moldovan stakeholders, Allied and partner nations’ representatives in Chisinau, and the DSCD in the Operations Division at NATO Headquarters. The Officer is expected to carry out the first phase of the PDP (initiate and establish the Programme) and lead the transition to the second phase, the purpose of which is to embed and transition the Programme to Moldovan ownership.

2.    QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

 ESSENTIAL

The incumbent must:

• possess a university degree, or equivalent level of qualification, in the fields of politics, law, international relations, security or defence studies, business administration, education or other relevant field, from an institute of a recognized standing;
• have a minimum of 3 years’ relevant work experience with a focus on programme/project management, personnel professional development and/or capacity building;
• a good understanding of NATO partnership cooperation programmes and the tools and mechanisms associated with them;
• strong programme/project management skills, including financial management;
• flexibility, initiative and strong problem-solving skills;
• have strong teamwork skills and leadership experience;
• have excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing, and be able to draft clearly and concisely;
• have experience dealing effectively with various stakeholders;
• flexibility to work outside of normal working hours, when necessary;
• have minimum intermediate knowledge of various software, including Microsoft Office suite, with a focus on Word, Excel and PowerPoint; and
• 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 will be considered an advantage:

• strong analytical skills;
• previous work experience in professional development of security and defence sector personnel;
• previous work experience in national security and/or defence and security sector reform;
• previous work experience at NATO HQ or Allied institutions in the field of NATO partnerships;
• experience in managing budgets;
• experience working in Moldova, preferably connected to NATO programmes or other international security related institutions;
• basic knowledge of local language(s): Romanian and/or Russian;
• experience with an international organisation, embassy or similar organisation.

3.    MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES 

Expertise Development

Apply expertise, consider options and provide recommendations for continued improvement. Draft position papers and conduct analysis on PDP programme implementation.

Financial Management

Plan, manage, execute and report on financial resources dedicated to the PDP. Ensure the correct use of NATO’s financial resources, including daily financial management of the PDP.

Information Management

In coordination with the DCB Coordinator and in consultation with the Head of the NATO Liaison Office, determine processes and procedures for the Information Management of the PDP in the broader NATO-Republic of Moldova Partnership framework.

Knowledge Management

Facilitate information sharing, with discretion, with a view to transferring knowledge across key divisions and with key external interlocutors. Ensure that knowledge is maintained and available.

Organisational Efficiencies

Based on best practice programme management experiences of PDPs in Georgia and Ukraine, experiences from DCB Moldova, as well as NATO’s other capacity building programmes, determine cultural and procedural adaptations to current roles, structures and processes to ensure optimal functioning of the PDP within the broader NATO-Republic of Moldova partnership framework.

People Management

In coordination with the DCB Coordinator in Chisinau, the Head of the NATO Liaison Office in Chisinau and the DSCD in the Operations Division at NATO Headquarters, provide day-to-day direction to the Programme Team. Oversee the work of the Project Officer. Provide in-depth mentoring, coaching and training opportunities for the Project Officer and the Moldovan authorities, who will take on management of the PDP over time. Ensure that all staff under their responsibility are clear on Organisational, Divisional, Directorate and Section objectives. Create a motivating and effective workplace. Provide regular and fair feedback on performance informally as appropriate.  Identify possible development and mobility opportunities for team members. Promote integrity, professionalism and accountability through a sound and inclusive leadership culture.

Planning and Execution

Coordinate and oversee the PDP project planning and execution processes, establishing measurable return on investment mechanisms, including impact assessments and mapping out benefits. Initiate and establish the PDP in Phase 1 and prepare for transition to Phase 2, including planning, implementation and evaluation of assigned projects. Plan and budget PDP activities through the Work Plan with Chisinau-based stakeholders that are in line with national and NATO-Moldova frameworks. Monitor PDP Work Plan results relating to products delivered, processes improved and people developed and implement lessons identified. Support Moldova’s ability to embed PDP practices and processes (both at the policy and delivery levels) and prepare for the evolving transition of the Programme Team to Moldova.

Project Management

As Programme Manager, based in Moldova, determine the direction of the programme and associated projects. Be able to independently establish and implement all aspects of programmes/projects. Organise and deliver individual PDP activities, in-county or abroad, synchronising assistance offers for the PDP with international, multinational or bilateral assistance programmes. Identify issues and risks, develop and update an issue register and a risk register and suggest possible solutions. Manage the handover to Moldovan authorities of ongoing and future projects, as the PDP transitions to Moldovan authorities, and in line with guidance by the DSCD.

Stakeholder Management

Liaise with Moldovan security and defence sector officials, Chisinau-based members of Allied and partner nations’ representations, NATO authorities, professional development institutions, civil society and other relevant stakeholders. Represent NATO at meetings, conferences and seminars on PDP in Moldova. Address meetings at NATO HQ in the capacity as PDP Officer, as required. Determine how best to enhance and develop a network of key stakeholders. Facilitate dialogue on PDP and communicate with stakeholders. Maintain a professional, courteous and responsible client-oriented manner and uphold the absolute confidentiality and security of NATO information.

4.    INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The PDP Officer in Moldova reports to the Delivery Section Capacity Building Team Leader at NATO Headquarters in the Operations Division of the DSCD. The PDP Officer coordinates with the DCB Coordinator in Chisinau and consults with the NLO Head to ensure coherent NATO Policy and Programme Management in Moldova and a “One NATO” approach.

Direct Reports: 1

Indirect Reports: 0

5.    COMPETENCIES

The incumbent must demonstrate:

• Achievement: Creates own measures of excellence and improves performance;
• Analytical Thinking: Sees multiple relationships;
• Clarity and Accuracy: Monitors others’ work for clarity;
• Conceptual Thinking: Applies learned concepts;
• Customer Service Orientation: Makes things better for the customer, addressing underlying customer needs;
• Impact and Influence: Uses indirect influence;
• Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation;
• Teamwork: Solicits inputs and encourages others;