Strategic Planner
JOB DETAIL
1. POST CONTEXT
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 Strategic Development and Preparation (SDP) Directorate is responsible for the development, review and maintenance of Strategic Planning, Advanced Planning and Crisis Planning products for ACO; contributes to the development of strategic policy and concepts for ACO; preparation of the NATO Command Structure (NCS) and declared forces for current and future operations across the full spectrum of mission areas; developing Education, Training, Exercise and Evaluation (ETEE) direction and guidance in line with strategic policy; ensuring that forces are prepared in accordance with evaluation criteria; oversees and executes the ACO Lessons Learned (LL) process.
The J5 Division leads the overarching strategic campaign and operations planning processes to prepare for and respond to crises and conflicts that threaten the security and integrity of the Alliance.
The Strategic Planning Branch is responsible for the development, maintenance and revision/review of Strategic Operations Planning, Advance Planning and Crisis Response Planning products for ACO, to include either NATO-led operations or EU-led operations using NATO assets and capabilities.
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.
Plans is the Directorate responsible for, amongst other duties, the development, review and maintenance of Strategic Planning, Advance Planning and Crisis Planning products for ACO; the development of strategic policy and concepts for ACO; and the planning of collective training and exercises.
J5 Division is responsible for the Development, Review and Maintenance of Strategic Planning, Advanced Planning and Crisis Planning products for ACO; the development of strategic policy and concepts for ACO; development of initiatives and addressing issues dealing with NATO’s security and emerging challenges policy and military strategy, dealing with the implementation of superior HQ policy regarding European Security, SHAPE-EU relations, military operational standardization, Conventional Arms Control and WMD/CBRN Defence; conducting initial strategic analysis, military strategic planning leading either to NATO-led operations or EU-led operations using NATO assets and capabilities; facilitating and enabling all aspects of strategic and advance planning by providing a limited systemic analysis capability and ownership and coordination authority for SOPs and doctrine related to strategic planning; leading and supporting SHAPE Strategic Operations Planning Groups (SOPGs) and Cross Functional Action Teams (CATs); and representing SACEUR, as required, with appropriate external organizations.
The Strategic Planning Branch is responsible for conducting initial strategic analysis, prudent military strategic planning and strategic operations planning for Strategic and Crisis Response Operations leading either to NATO-led operations or EU-led operations using NATO assets and capabilities. It is also responsible for SHAPE-US EUCOM planning coordination. Civilian analysts are embedded within Strategic planning to affect SACEUR’s strategy for a Comprehensive Approach to operations. With a view to prepare the Alliance to deal with possible future risks, either Article 5 or non-Article 5, Strategic Planning Branch is responsible for the development of SHAPE Advance Planning products.
2. PRINCIPAL DUTIES
The incumbent’s duties are:
1) Provides SME advice in committees, conferences, boards, working group meetings concerning issues related to his/her area of responsibility.
2) Responds to actions and requests of authorities within ACO.
3) Advises and supports the development of strategic operation planning of SACEUR, being a member of Strategic Operation Planning Group.
4) Determine priorities, identify urgent matters, organize and address tasks and requirements accordingly.
5) Ensure that the strategic planning process is developed efficiently by maintaining dialogue and exchange on current and future NATO planning and NATO defence planning and capability development, with other functional or regional NATO HQs at the same level across all functional areas.
6) Execute work for SDP management in support of the NAC and its subordinate bodies as required. Channel information to key players across NATO and advises upon strategy and policies.
7) Working with NATO military staffs, develops strategic plans, training plans, agendas and final rapports as necessary. Continuously monitor and analyze work methods and the resulting products.
8) Works as a Staff Officer within the Strategic Planning Team in ensuring that initiatives and issues dealing with Strategic operational Group are successfully developed.
9) Develops and maintains dashboard for leadership, to facilitate informed decision making in a timely manner. Sets up clear lines of communication to facilitate collaboration, communication and transparency of activities.
10) Identifies, plan and implements initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, effectiveness and saving across all areas of the division.
11) Advises on the preparation of briefs, background papers/talking points, in the process of briefing to SHAPE Command Group.
12) Establish challenging goals, strategic visions and achieves useful results in the overall context of strategic planning and advance planning.
13) Develop and sustain relations with national delegations, NATO civilian and military structures, as well with subject matter experts in academic institutions to allow the proper monitoring of strategic plans .Proactively address issues with the Branch Head.
14) Provides fair and objective feedback on performance, identifying possible development and mobility opportunities of individuals.
15) Contributes to the development of exercise related strategic planning documents.
16) Provides inputs to the Lessons Learned process.
17) Leads and/or coordinates SHAPE tasker assignments for assigned area of responsibility.
3. 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 TDY assignments both within and without NATO’s boundaries and be willing to work unsocial hours.
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 / risk might increase when deployed
4. ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
1. Professional/Experience
1) Extensive experience working for NATO and/or national Ministries of Defense/Defense Agencies in a post related to Strategic Planning.
2) Comprehensive understanding of NATO structure, concepts, policies, and procedures.
3) Proven gained experience in a position related to Advance Planning, Strategic Planning, and Crisis Planning in the public sector of a nation member or in an International Organization.
2. Education/Training
University Degree in criminology, police, public or business administration, administration of justice, criminal law, comparative general management, political theory, behavioural or social psychology 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.
3. Language
English SLP 3333 (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)
NOTE: The work both oral and written in this post and in this Headquarters as a whole is conducted mainly in English.
5. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
1. Professional/Experience
1) University degree preferable with the specialization in political science, international affairs or strategic planning or have an equivalent of high level military education
2) Experience in negotiating strategic and operational ACO outputs with Nations
3) Knowledge in DDA FoP
2. Education/Training
1) Strategic Operation Planning Course
6. ATTRIBUTES/COMPETENCIES
1) Personal Attributes: The personal attributes that the incumbent should display, are a set of combined attributes that will be reflected as well in the incumbent’s personal work but also in the divisions work. In his autonomous work, the incumbent should reflect critical thinking and analysis skills in order to be able to provide insightful inputs in the daily activity, to evaluate complex issues and develop pragmatic solutions. However, the candidate should be able to also work in a team, respecting the team members and adapting to the team needs. The post requires multitasking activities, capability to adapt to fast-pace and intense workload, high standards of personal and professional behavior. The incumbent must display tact and diplomatic skills in order to be able to successfully work in an international community where different cultural values and styles exist.
2) Professional Contacts: The personal attributes that the incumbent should display, are a set of combined attributes that will be reflected as well in the incumbent’s personal work but also in the divisions work. In his autonomous work, the incumbent should reflect critical thinking and analysis skills in order to be able to provide insightful inputs in the daily activity, to evaluate complex issues and develop pragmatic solutions. However, the candidate should be able to also work in a team, respecting the team members and adapting to the team needs. The post requires multitasking activities, capability to adapt to fast-pace and intense workload, high standards of personal and professional behavior. The incumbent must display tact and diplomatic skills in order to be able to successfully work in an international community where different cultural values and styles exist.
3) Contribution To Objectives: The positions goal is to aid the accomplishment of the NATO 2030 objectives, to build a strong Alliance and to be able to meet all the present and future challenges. The main objective of NATO 2030 is to fully implement the DDA and NWCC in order to be able to achieve the objective. The core of strategic plans must be perfected and adapted according to the ongoing changing environment and threats.
CONTRACT
The successful candidate will fill this post as a Project Related NATO International Civilian (PLN) with a three-year definite duration contract within the NATO 2030 Agenda. On expiry of this term the PLN will be deleted or absorbed into the ceiling pending approval or will exceptionally be considered for extension.
The salary will be the basic entry-level monthly salary defined by the NATO Grade of the post, which may be augmented by allowances based on the selected staff member’s eligibility, and which is subject to the withholding of approximately 20% for pension and medical insurance contributions.
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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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.
More information to be found on these links:
NTAP allows adding attachments. 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. The application should be in English.
Shortlisted candidates will be requested to provide original documentary evidence and a set of copies supporting statements in their applications.
After submitting your application, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt of your application.
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) Candidates’ individual telephone, e-mail or telefax enquiries cannot be dealt with. All candidates will receive an answer indicating the outcome of their application.
