SHAPE is looking for employing a qualified and suitable candidate to fill this post as a temporary staff from 1 September to 30 June 2024. If you meet the requirements described in the job description below and wish to work in a fast paced international environment, this post is for you.

 In view of the nature and of the urgency of this temporary position, it is important for candidates to be available for temporary employment. In practice, this implies being in possession of valid NATO security clearance at the time of application, or having been in possession of such a clearance with the possibility to reactivate it swiftly.  We therefore only encourage applications for this post if you are already, or have previously been, in possession of a valid NATO security clearance.

A. POST CONTEXT

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. 

SHAPE has formed a provisional project management team (PMT) to fully implement its transition to a strategic warfighting headquarters (SWHQ).  This post provides a dedicated staff assistant to support the SWHQ PMT to fulfil its implementation SWHQ remit under compressed, high priority timelines.

B. REPORTS TO

OSC SPXX 0010 – Section Head (Special Operations Forces Plans and Interoperability) 

C. PRINCIPAL DUTIES

Principal Duties

The incumbent’s duties are:

D. ADDITIONAL DUTIES

QUALIFICATIONS

1. ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

 1. Professional/Experience

Primary: Office Management

Management and administration is the study of planning, directing and operating the functions and activities of organizations and institutions. Programmes in management also including administration, economics, finance etc. are included here if emphasis is given to management and administration.

Primary Skill Level: Apply

Works under general direction. Uses discretion in identifying and responding to complex issues and assignments. Usually receives specific instructions and has work reviewed at frequent milestones. Determines when issues should be escalated to a higher level. Interacts with and influences colleagues. Has working level contact with customers, suppliers and partners. May supervise others or make decisions which impact the work assigned to individuals or phases of projects. Performs a range of work, sometimes complex and non routine, in a variety of environments. Applies methodical approach to issue definition and resolution. Demonstrates an analytical and systematic approach to issue resolution. Takes the initiative in identifying and negotiating appropriate personal development opportunities. Demonstrates effective communication skills. Contributes fully to the work of teams. Plans, schedules and monitors own work (and that of others where applicable) competently within limited deadlines and according to relevant legislation, standards and procedures. Appreciates the wider business context, and how own role relates to other roles and to the business of the employer or client.

Experience

– The successful candidate will hold training at a middle level in a related subject, supplemented by relevant training and qualifications; or, a High School Diploma or equivalent in a related subject complemented by relevant training and qualifications.

– The ideal candidate will have experience working in a strategic-level PMT.

– It is also essential that the candidate can demonstrate proficient experience with Microsoft Office applications and sound experience with Microsoft SharePoint;

– Good experience with Microsoft Outlook, Enterprise Documents Management System and Tasker Tracker ;

– Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills;

– A proven ability to present information in a clear and logical manner both in writing and by other means with extreme accuracy and attention to detail;

– Experience working in an environment with a high volume work load and a flexible, service-minded attitude and ability to take initiative;

– Ability to initiate and conduct liaison with stakeholders across the SHAPE staff.

– It is also imperative that the candidate has an excellent interpersonal and communication skills coupled with excellent organizational skills;

– A good knowledge of English;

– Knowledge of NATO Responsibilities and Organization;

– Experience of working in NATO or in an international environment comprising military and/or civilian elements.

Secondary: IT Management

The management of the IT infrastructure and resources required to plan for, develop, deliver and support IT services and products to meet the needs of a business. The preparation for new or changed services, management of the change process and the maintenance of regulatory, legal and professional standards. The management of performance of systems and services in terms of their contribution to business performance and their financial costs and sustainability. The management of bought-in services. The development of continual service improvement plans to ensure the IT infrastructure adequately supports business needs.

Secondary Skill Level: Apply

Works under general direction within a clear framework of accountability. Exercises substantial personal responsibility and autonomy. Plans own work to meet given objectives and processes. Influences customers, suppliers and partners at account level. May have some responsibility for the work of others and for the allocation of resources. Participates in external activities related to own specialism. Makes decisions which influence the success of projects and team objectives. Work includes a broad range of complex technical or professional activities, in a variety of contexts. Investigates, defines and resolves complex issues. Selects appropriately from applicable standards, methods, tools and applications. Communicates fluently, orally and in writing, and can present complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences. Facilitates collaboration between stakeholders who share common objectives. Plans, schedules and monitors work to meet time and quality targets. Rapidly absorbs new information and applies it effectively. Maintains an awareness of developing technologies and their application and takes some responsibility for driving own development.

 2. Education/Training

Higher Secondary education and completed higher vocational training in management information systems, accounting, economics, finance, business administration, public administration, operations research, project management or related discipline leading to a formal technical or professional certification with functional related experience or Secondary education and completed advanced  vocation training in that discipline.

3. Security Clearance

NATO Secret

 4. Language

English          (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)      2222

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

 5. Standard Automatic Data Processing Knowledge

Word Processing: Working knowledge

Spreadsheet:            Working knowledge

Graphics Presentation:      Working knowledge

Database:     Working knowledge

eMail Clients/Web Browsers:        Working knowledge

Web Content Management:          Working knowledge

B. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

 1. Professional/Experience

Experience defining, documenting and carrying out projects, actively participating in all phases.  Individual should have experience identifying, assessing and managing risk to the success of projects, preparing realistic project and quality plans and tracking activities against the plans, providing regular and accurate reports to stakeholders and monitoring costs, timescales, and resources used.

Programme management:  the identification, planning, and coordination of a set of related projects within a programme of business change, to manage their interdependencies in support of specific business strategies and objectives.

WHAT WE OFFER

 •         38 hours per week schedule;

•         2.5 paid days of leave per month worked;

•         Fulfilling working atmosphere in an international and military community;

•         Contract period: pending approval, ideally from 1 Sept to 30 June 2024.

•         Salary: the remuneration of temporary personnel will be specified in their contracts. It is exempt from taxation in the Host Nation.

•         Benefits package: temporary personnel are covered by a benefits package which consists of an additional sum of 12% of basic salary for pension purposes basic medical and accident insurance provided under the NATO Group insurance contract (death and invalidity). The cost for insurance amounts to approx. 9% of basic salary (2/3 payable by the Organisation and 1/3 payable by staff).

•         For staff eligible under NATO rules, there is also a dependent child allowance and coverage for dependent children for medical benefits;

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 This job is advertised for recruitment purposes in anticipation of formal authorization to offer a contract to the selected candidate. If authorization to offer a contract is not obtained, the recruitment and selection process will be cancelled with no further obligation to the applicants.

 Candidates possessing a valid NATO or National security clearance will be given priority consideration.

 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. 

 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 30 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.