Do you have experience in the field of Human Security and Non-Governmental Organisations? If so, this position offers you a unique opportunity to support the NATO Alliance at its Capability Development Command.

Post Context

ACT contributes to preserving the peace, security and territorial integrity of Alliance member states by leading, at Strategic Command level, Warfare Development required to enhance NATO’s posture, military structures, forces, capabilities and doctrines.

The Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (SPP) acts on behalf of SACT to formulate policies, strategies, engagements, ACT contributions to NDPP, and analytical practices that enable the Commander to provide strategic foresight, planning, strategy and policy advice, concepts, and strategic engagement to NATO’s political and military leadership. Principal outputs include but are not limited to: long term strategic foresight, strategic level concepts, situational awareness/strategic anticipation, Minimum Capability Requirements, Draft Capability Targets, Suitability Assessment of Allies and NATO Defence Plans, and regional and functional to security related environments.

The Branch provides SACT with advice pertaining to strategy and policy matters at the political and military levels. It coordinates the development of unfettered military advice and Transformation and Adaptation Plans and Policy, ensures coherence of ACT’s internal work strands in relation to overarching NATO policy and strategy, and supports the Commander’s engagements in areas relevant to policy and strategy. The Branch maintains a persistent relationship with the NATO Strategic Direction (South) Hub on Deterrence & Defence matters.

NATO is committed to integrating Human Security (HS) into core tasks: deterrence and defence, crisis prevention and management, and cooperative security. The 2022 Strategic Concept considers that human security is central to NATO’s approach to crisis prevention and management. It also commits NATO to working with other international actors to address the broader conditions of crisis and instability, and to contribute to stabilization and reconstruction. From a NATO military perspective, human security requires careful consideration as to its description and what role the military is expected to play. As the NATO warfare development command ACT considers the Military Contribution to Human Security (MC2HS) as an opportunity to synchronize the work conducted under various cross cutting topics (e.g. Protection of Civilians, or Cultural Property Protection) to ensure operational effectiveness and readiness of forces.

Within the Strategic Plans & Policy Branch his/her main duties are to

– integrate of HS across all commands activities, at all levels to develop, coordinate, implement and be accountable towards the human security principles and policies.

– liaise with IO/GO/NGO on behalf of HQ SACT, establish a continuous and spreading network and long lasting relations. This includes crosscutting coordination and management of HQ SACT interaction with IO/GO/NGO.

Reports to: – Branch Head (Strategic Plans & Policy).

Principal Duties: His/her duties are:

a.         Cooperate with NATO HQ IS/IMS, and ACO towards establishing a military strategic HS Framework;

b.         Ensure HS is included in relevant capabilities, concepts, experiments, experiments, wargames, conferences, diamond events and similar activities and events;

c.         Ensure HS is considered as a factor in capability development, for example including work with Centres of Excellence to mainstream HS across relevant HS courses and events to ensure HS is included in their programs of work;

d.         Ensure HS is considered a factor in strategic plans and programs, MDO, Innovation and initiatives;

e.         Ensure HS is included in the evolution of the Warfare Development Agenda (WDA);

f.          Ensure Day Zero integration with IO-INGO-S/GO and civil society to facilitate comprehensive approach to MC2HS;

g.         Understand and develop HS using Strategic Foresight analysis and the framework for future alliance operations;

h.         Maintain a matrix of all key strategic IO/GO/NGO events, meetings and functions, ensuring MC2HS representation;

i.          Assists the Branch Head in coordinating the overarching strategic issues and briefs, which influence the Strategic Direction of NATO’s incorporation of IO/GO/NGO capability within the Alliance;

j.          Research, develop and lead HQ SACT contribution to projects with IO/GO/NGO interest related to MC2HS including Protection of Civilians, Children and Armed Conflict and Cultural Property Protection;

k.         Support and execute HQ SACT and Bi-SC taskings relating to IO/GO/NGO issues in close coordination with ACO and be responsible to the Branch Head for all papers and briefings pertaining to strategic direction of partnerships with IO/GO/NGOs;

l.          Assists with providing HQ SACT input into political/military driven documents produced by key IO/GO/NGOs. On behalf of the Strategic Plans & Policy Branch, actively negotiate these issues in political and military committees, working groups and staff talks such as UN, ICRC, WFP.

Essential Qualifications

a.         University Degree and 2 years function related experience.

b.         A minimum of 6 years’ experience in the international environment, working in the field of inter organizational cooperation and partnership with IO/NGO.

c.         A minimum of 3 years’ experience in the conduct and production of strategic-level analytical studies and presentations.

d.         Proven track record of managing disparate projects and leading cross-functional teams in an international environment.

e.         Broad experience in international relations, gained through working at staff level in two or more IOs.

f.          Broad experience in the formulation of strategic-level concepts and development of strategic issues.

g.         Experience in coordination of major symposia, seminars, and presentations.

h.         Excellent Communication skills.

Language

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

Desirable Qualifications

a. Professional Experience

1.         Broad knowledge of foreign policy, international relations and the organization/function of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

2.         Academic staff experience.

b. Education/Training

1.         Defence College/Security Studies.

Attributes/Competencies

• Professional Contacts: He/she must be able to liaise effectively, both internally and externally, with military and civilian personnel from the rank/position equivalent of OF-3 up to the OF-7 level. Internal contacts are with Chief of Staff, DSACT, and SACT and external contacts are with a broad range of civil agencies and organisations as well as the academic community.

• Contribution To Objectives: He/she contributes directly to the development and promotion of issues of strategic importance to transformation, and contributes to policies to direct Alliance transformation efforts and support the development of NATO strategic level concepts which clarify how transformation may be achieved.

Security Clearance

The successful applicant will be required to apply for and receive a NATO Secret Security Clearance prior to final confirmation of contract and commencement of employment.

Work Environment

He/she will be required to work in a normal office environment.

Contract

Serving NATO International Civilian staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations.  Newly recruited staff will be offered a three-year definite duration contract.

Notes for Candidates

The HQ SACT web site gives details on the eligibility criteria and application processes to be adopted by all candidates.

The candidature of NATO redundant staff at grade A-2/NG 15 will be considered with priority.

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.

This vacancy will close on 24 September 2023 @ 17:59hrs (Eastern)/11:59hrs (CET).

Notes for NATO Civilian Human Resources Managers

If you have qualified redundant staff at grade A-2/NG 15, please advise the HQ SACT Civilian HR Manager no later than the closing date.

For any queries, please contact the HQ SACT Recruitment Team at [email protected]