Officer, Operations and Strategic Capabilities (2 posts)

1. SUMMARY

The NATO Office of Resources (NOR) brings together all NATO HQ International Staff (IS) working on NATO military common funding issues to support the delivery of common funded capabilities and to strengthen resource management across the Alliance. The NOR provides independent and integrated expert advice to the Secretary General, NATO Resource Committees, Allies, and other stakeholders on the planning, allocation and utilization of military common funding made available to achieve NATO’s goals and objectives.

The Operations and Strategic Capabilities Branch advises NATO Committees and National Chairs, NATO Military Authorities, other International Staff Divisions and NATO bodies on common funded capability programs and projects.

This advice is on technical, financial, economic, and politicalperspective and supports the implementation of NATO common-funded capabilities, in particular capital investments under the NATO Security Investment Programme (NSIP) and operations & maintenance funded by the NATO Military Budget.

The incumbent will assess technical solutions to military requirements, in particular in the area of core infrastructure (e.g., airfields, maritime facilities [1] ). S/he will screen military requirements from an investment, running cost, financial and staffing point of view, and provide relevant assessments and recommendations to the resource committees. In that context, s/he will also advise Strategic Commanders, NATO Agencies and NATO Nations on matters relating to her/his area of expertise as well as monitor project implementation and accept completed investment projects.

[1] To include supporting functions infrastructural requirements, such as but not limited to buildings, systems, utilities, equipment, legal-environmental matters, etc.

2. QUALIFICATIONSANDEXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

The incumbent must:

• have a Master Degree in Civil Engineering;
• have at least 8 years of extensive experience in the broad field of civil engineering (including as field engineer), and in associated electro-mechanical and engineering aspects;
• have extensive knowledge of modern engineering techniques, including any related to horizontal/vertical construction, security protection, and retrofitting works;
• have a proven track record of excellence in project management of large investment/construction projects, either in the private or military sector;
• possess direct experience in implementing major change/reform projects/programs, including process reengineering and adaptation;
• demonstrate ability to communicate both verbally and in writing technical matters and financial advice;
• have experience in to reporting and supporting in a clear and understandable way complex matters to expert and non-expert audiences;
• be able to operate in a multinational, culturally diverse, political environment where various interests are at stake;
• be flexible to travel and work outside and beyond of normal office hours, as needed;
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages : (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; II (“Beginner”) in the other.

DESIRABLE

The following would be considered an advantage:

• firsthand experience in contract management of large investment/construction projects;
• have experience with deployable/expeditionary core infrastructure/equipment;
• direct experience in development/support of large basing plans and programs;
• possess a professional qualification or certification in Project/Program management.

3.MAINACCOUNTABILITIES

Project Management

Ensure project objectives and activities are in support of Alliance priorities. Prepare and present screening reports, as well as advice on investment and budgetary requirements for decision-making by resource committees. Support NSIP stakeholders during the entire capability lifecycle, specifically during implementation to achieve implementation of capabilities on time, in scope, and on budget. L iaise with the Strategic Commanders and in-Theatre military officers to monitor timeliness and quality of project implementation.

Expertise Development

Provide expert advice to stakeholders in theatres of operations, committees, national delegations and authorities of member nations, NATO agencies, as well as military authorities at various levels on NATO capabilities and related resource issues. Advise and oversee work in defining cost-effective ways of meeting Alliance requirements, including conducting technical meetings with stakeholders in member nations and theatres of operations. Present concise and comprehensive reports to the resource and other NATO committees, based on analysis of the submitted Alliance requirement, the proposed technical solution for its implementation and of associated resource estimates .

Policy Development

Contribute to policy development on NATO military common-funded resources through the provision of expert technical advice as required. Determine the impact of existing policies for the design and implementation of NATO projects. Produce and present concise and comprehensive reports on submitted military requirements, including on proposed technical solutions, implementation plans/ and resource estimates/profiles to NATO resource and other committees. Assist, as directed, in the formulation of technical criteria and standards that guide Alliance member nations and military authorities .

Stakeholder Management

Promote and support coordination between all NATO bodies, national authorities, the International Military Staff (IMS) and IS Divisions and lead efforts to support the implementation of projects in support of strategic capabilities and NATO operations. Maintain a network of stakeholders to ensure that the resource-impact of decisions is considered timely and in a comprehensive fashion . Provide options for effective issue management through the monitoring and analysis of current affairs.

Knowledge Management

Support consultations and decision-making in NATO committees and any other groups to whom he/she will be assigned. Contribute to knowledge management through advice on implementation processes for capability projects, with relevant technical and project management input. Apply experience and expertise to recommend appropriate approach required to manage project work effectively. Support consultation and decision making in NATO committees and any other groups to whom s/he will be assigned .

Financial Management

Review costed capability programme and project proposals for key strategic capability projects and programs in support of NATO operations, presented by Strategic Commands for compliance with policy and eligibility criteria .

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The incumbent reports to the OSC Branch Head and must be able to operate with diplomacy and tact in a multinational and multidisciplinary environment where decision-making occurs by reaching consensus among the NATO member Nations. S/he participates in, leads and provides advice during discussions with national Delegations and Authorities of member countries, and conducts large part of work accountabilities. The incumbent also liaises with appropriate NATO bodies, NATO Military Authorities and national Authorities at Ministries of Defense, other NOR Branches and other members of the International Staff and International Military Staff to ensure coordinated, rapid and effective responses to issues at hand .

Direct reports: N/a

Indirect reports: N/a

5. COMPETENCIES

The incumbent must demonstrate

• Achievement: Creates own measures of excellence and improves performance;
• Analytical Thinking: Sees multiple relationships;
• Change Leadership: Expresses vision for change;
• Clarity and Accuracy: Monitors data or projects;
• Impact and Influence: Uses indirect influence;
• Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation;
• Organisational Awareness: Understands organisational politics;

Teamwork: Solicits inputs and encourages others.