SHAPE is looking for Section Head (ACO Corporate Accounting Management) with in-depth knowledge and expertise of accounting principles, procedures and standards, responsible for development and implementation of plans, policies and processes for the finance and/or accounting area and experienced in leading and supervisory role in accounting, financial management or related functional areas.

General Background:

SHAPE, the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, is the headquarters of Allied Command Operations (ACO), one of the two strategic military commands of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). ACO safeguards an area extending from the northern tip of Norway to the eastern border of Türkiye. This equates to nearly two million square kilometres of land, more than three million square kilometres of sea, and a population of about 320 million people.

POST DESCRIPTION:

Location: Casteau/Mons, 60 Km south of Brussels (Belgium)

Directorate: FINAC

Post Context/Post Summary

Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) provides an integrated Strategic Effects framework, employing a multi-domain and multi-region focus to create a 360-degree approach, with the flexibility to enable, upon direction, a seamless transition from Baseline Activities and Current Operations (BACO) up to the Maximum Level of Effort (MLE).  SHAPE supports SACEUR in fulfilling his terms of reference, as directed by the North Atlantic Council.

The Finance and Acquisition Directorate Is responsible for all international and multinational appropriated and non-appropriated funds in ACO. The responsibility encompasses supervision and oversight of subordinate ACO commands and development of financial and acquisition policies.  The Directorate represents SHAPE/ACO in the Budget Committee, participates in the development of international agreements and the annual Consolidated Resource Plan (CRP), and advises/assists the SHAPE Command Group with respect to Military Budget-funded requirements. The Directorate plans and executes the annual ACO military budget with the contracting, finance and accounting, and cash management it entails whilst ensuring coordination with external entities is observed.

The ACO Corporate Accounting and Control Branch performs delegated financial controller functions for the Allied Command Operations (ACO) HQs.

The Corporate Accounting Management Section ensures solid finance, accounting and cash management expertise on ACO HQs and operations for the SHAPE Comprehensive Crisis Operations Management Centre (CCOMC).

The incumbent is responsible of the section in charge to prepare the ACO accounting policies, based on international accounting standards and NFRs to coordinate the consolidated financial statement process for ACO, to monitor and control the general Ledger accounting book ACO-wide, to prepare the calls for funds from NATO Member nations and to submit write-off for different level of approval.

Principal Duties

1. The incumbent’s duties are:
2. Is responsible for the development and implementation of and compliance with policies, directives and international accounting standards.
3. Is responsible for the development and implementation of IPSAS and financial accounting policy/directives throughout ACO.
4. Is responsible to Branch Head for the preparation of ACO accounting policy and procedures from established NATO financial regulation, international accounting standards and best practice from government and industry.
5. Is responsible for controlling the compliance with ACO IPSAS Policies in ACO financial statements and other external reports subject to approval and signature by the Branch Head.
6. Is responsible for the international accounting standards internal reviews of the accounting related functions.
7. Oversees proposals for improvements of local HQ or ACO directives relating to international accounting standards, treasury, budgeting and disbursing functions.
8. Coordinates the consolidated annual financial statement process for ACO and is responsible for the preparation of the official consolidated annual financial statements for Allied Command Operations.
9. Coordinates the submission to the ACO Financial Controller and/or the Budget Committee and is responsible of the Annual Write-off report to the Budget Committee.
10. Is responsible of the monthly and quarterly closure for the ACO-wide accounting book ensuring accurate results are delivered on time for reporting and/or action from each ACO Command and non-consolidated entities.
11. Coordinates the various accounting activities relating to defined aspects of financial accounting and record keeping within ACO in close coordination with the other functional areas.
12. Validates the preparation of the general ledger accounts ensuring the integrity of the financial records and the compliance with the adopted accounting principles and standards.
13. Conducts a thorough audit of the various financial transactions, records, journal entries in line with the existing policies and procedure and the respect of the required segregation of duties.
14. Is responsible for the coordination and/or preparation of relevant reports related to the fixed assets of the ACO organization in line with relevant policies and ACO directives.
15. Is responsible for call of funds from NATO Member Nations, including NCSEP, AOM, NAEW, NSIP and also SIS for the SHAPE International School, within means and capabilities.
16. Coordinates with other divisions and/or NATO entities in areas which affect ACO accounting functions such as data processing, personnel services, legad, logistic, engineering, budgeting, purchasing, acquisition analysis and acquisition integration and risk management.
17. As key-user, designs, reviews and proposes modification to the NATO Financial system, ensuring the accuracy of data and adherence of the system to generally accepted accounting principles and international accounting standards.
18. Supports segregation of duties within the different areas involved in the approval organizational process.
19. Liaises with the internal and external auditors for reports of financial and performance audit of ACO HQ and programs.
20. Contributes to the planning and performance of internal reviews of procedures and control to ensure that control is adequately designed and is operating effectively.
21. Coordinates with risk owners in the finance and accounting areas to continue to enhance the risk and control self-assessment to ensure that risks and controls are documented and tests that the supervisory process to ensure coverage is adequate.
22. Provides accounting advice in relation to reimbursable services for external NATO HQs, Agencies, and other organizations on the basis of service level agreements (SLAs).
23. Is responsible for developing the requirements external service providers have to meet for the accounting and asset management performed by ACO.
24. Plans and oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Section and manages the team to ensure that work is properly allocated and completed in a timely and accurate manner.
25. Provides effective guidance to the ACO Commands counterparts in the development of innovative practices, new procedures, and change initiatives to ensure that skills, processes and other capacities within finance and accounting functions meet regulatory requirements and support good resource management and financial stewardship.
26. Develops staff through performance management and consistent feedback.
27. Ensures that staff is capable to support the outputs of the Branch and Directorate through providing coaching, mentoring and training.     
28. Evaluates the performance of assigned staff.
29. Is the Deputy of the ACO Corporate Accounting and Control Branch Head.

Committee Participation:

1. Investment Committee (IC (AC/4)) – Contributor
2. Logistics Functional Services Information Management Working Group – Contributor
3. Military Budget Committee – Contributor

Special Requirements and Additional Duties

The employee may be required to perform a similar range of duties elsewhere within the organisation at the same grade without there being any change to the contract.

The incumbent may be required to undertake deployments in support of military operations and exercises, and/or TDY assignments, both within and without NATO boundaries up to 30 days.

The work is normally performed in a Normal NATO office working environment.

Normal Working Conditions apply.

The risk of injury is categorised as: No Risk

Essential Qualifications

a.       Professional/Experience

1. Minimum 4 years’ experience in developing plans, policies and processes for the finance and/or accounting area.
2. At least 4 years of experience in developing and presenting analysis and control of mission information, functions, processes, and objectives to achieve reasonable assurance that the entity is operating efficiently and effectively.
3. At least 4 years’ experience in leading the preparation of financial statements in the private/public sector.
4. In-depth knowledge and expertise of accounting principles, procedures and standards. Demonstrates knowledge of change projects and active managerial experience in the application of IFRS/IPSAS (at least 4 years).
5. A minimum of 4 years of experience in supervisory role in accounting, financial management or related functional areas and a proven record of success in leadership of technically oriented professionals.

b.       Education/Training

University Degree in finance, accounting, business administration, economics, public administration, management 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.

Resource Management Education Programme (RMEP) Course (FIN-FI-2708) provided by NATO – School Oberammergau (NSO).

c.       Language

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

NOTE: The work both oral and written in this post and this HQ as a whole is conducted mainly in English.

Desirable Qualifications

a.       Professional Experience

1. At least 4 years of experience as an administrator at corporate level (or equivalent) in NATO or other multi-national organization, or experience in business administration at corporate level (or equivalent) in a commercial or governmental organization.
2. At least 4 years of experience with operation of automated accounting systems used in private or private sector (ERPs).
3. In-depth knowledge of office automated software packages (i.e. Microsoft Office).
4. Experience in a project management position (at least 3 years).
5. Experience and knowledge in the application of NATO financial rules and regulations.
6. Experience in leading the preparation of consolidated financial statements in the private/public sector (at least 3 years).
7. In-depth knowledge and expertise in the analysis and implementation of International Accounting Standards (IFRS/IPSAS) (at least 4 years).
8. At least 4 years’ experience to work collaboratively across departmental functions.
9. Strong professional background with at least 4 years acquired in positions related to the duties outlined in the job description.

b.       Education/Training

1. Professional finance/accounting qualification coupled with 10 years’ experience in a financially related field.
2. An advanced university degree (MS, MA, MBA, MPA, or equivalent) or postgraduate diploma in accounting, finance, management, business administration, or related field.

c.       Language

English – SLP 4343 (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).

REMARKS:

Duration of contract: Serving staff members will be offered a contract according to the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations (NCPR).  Newly recruited staff will be offered a definite duration contract of three years normally followed by an indefinite duration contract.   

HOW TO APPLY FOR A NATO CIVILIAN POST AT SHAPE:

Applications are to be submitted using NATO Talent Acquisition Platform (NTAP) (https://nato.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobsearch.ftl?lang-en). Applications submitted by other means (e.g. mail, e-mail, fax, etc.) are not accepted. 

A copy of the qualification/certificate covering the highest level of education required by the job description must be provided as an attachment. 

Essential information must be included in the application form. Particular attention should be given to Education and Experience section of the application form. Each question should be answered completely. Expressions such as “please see attached CV, please see annex / enclosed document” or invitations to follow links to personal webpages are not acceptable and will be disregarded. All answers should be in English.

Shortlisted candidates will be requested to provide original documentary evidence and a set of copies supporting statements in their applications. Appointment is subject to obtaining a NS security clearance and a medical certificate.

Current and past civilians working for NATO or any Coordinated Organization, shall indicate their last grade and step held (next to job title), and specify the name of employing NATO body or Coordinated Organization.

Applicants who prove to be competent for the post but who are not successful in this competition may be offered an appointment in another post of a similar nature, which might become vacant in the near future, albeit at the same or lower grade, provided they meet the necessary requirements.

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Application Process

Remarks:

A) Only nationals from the 31 NATO member states can apply for vacancies at SHAPE. 

B) Applications are automatically acknowledged within one working day after submission. In the absence of an acknowledgement please make sure the submission process is completed or re-submit the application.  

C) Qualified redundant staff of the same grade interested in this post should inform this office, via their HR/Personnel Office by not later than vacancy’s closing date.

D) Candidates’ individual telephone, e-mail or telefax enquiries cannot be dealt with. All candidates will receive an answer indicating the outcome of their application.