Officer, Budget Planning and Analysis

Job content

Primary Location

Belgium-Brussels

NATO Body

NATO International Staff (NATO IS)

Schedule

Full-time

Application Deadline

11-Sep-2024, 11:59:00 PM

Salary (Pay Basis)

6,118.54

Grade

NATO Grade G15-G17

• SUMMARY
  

The Office of Financial Control (OFC) is responsible for the management of financial and budgetary control systems for several NATO entities, primarily the NATO International Staff (IS) civil budget. As the custodian of member Nations’ funds, the OFC provides reliable and value adding financial and procurement services in support of front-line Divisions, enabling them to achieve their objectives. It works to comply with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and other best practices, including the management of enterprise risk.

The OFC is responsible for procurement, financial operations, budgeting and reporting for: the NATO IS civil and reimbursable budgets (including satellite offices); all NATO-wide pensions and related funds; bodies and projects located at NATO HQ (NHQ) for which OFC is responsible for providing procurement, budgetary, financial and accounting services. The OFC is also responsible for providing procurement, cash management, finance and accounting support to a number of extra budgetary funds (including trust funds) and bilateral arrangements, including the Tax Reimbursement Agreement with the United States (U.S.). The NATO-IS budget includes Brussels Headquarters operations as well as NATO Satellite Offices (NASOs). The Office of Financial Control is organised around five functions, with a Front Office overseeing these functions:

• Budget Planning and Analysis and Procurement;
• Control, Accounting and Finance including Missions (Duty Travels);
• Treasury;
• Strategic Analysis and Reporting (SAR); and
• ERP Competency Centre.
  

The Budget, Planning and Analysis (BPA) Section, within Office of Financial Control (OFC), analyses, proposes for approval and negotiates the NATO Civil Budget. BPA consolidates the five year Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and the annual Civil Budget estimates. It monitors the execution of the Civil Budget, in coordination with the Control, Accounting and Finance Branch within OFC. The NATO Civil Budget operates in an Objective-Based Budgeting (OBB) framework, which includes the sustainable development and improvement of an International Staff Operational Performance Measurement (OPM) system.

The Officer, BPA Section contributes to the development of policies, procedures and plans related to budgetary matters and to the monitoring of their consistent implementation. They prepare the compilation, analysis and presentation of the budget(s) for the International Staff (IS) Civil Budget. The incumbent is responsible for conducting budget, cost and performance analyses, and for writing financial reports, which also include recommendations. They assist in compiling, analysing and preparing Civil Budget planning and execution as well as assist in preparing other detailed budgetary and financial documents for separate entities.

• QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
  

Essential

The incumbent must:

• hold a University Degree, or equivalent level of qualification, in fields relevant for the position from an institute of recognised standing (ex. accounting, finance, statistics, economics or business administration);
• have at least 3 years of experience in budgeting;
• have a good knowledge of IT tools, such as Databases, ERP, cost modelling, budget planning;
• have knowledge of forecasting, modelling, budget planning and cost accounting;
• have experience in drafting and editing reports and documents;
• be prepared to travel and work outside normal office hours;
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; II (“Elementary”) in the other.
  

DESIRABLE

The following would be considered an advantage:

• knowledge of various types of budget and financial control procedures, as well as budget execution;
• working experience within an international organisation and/or national government;
• knowledge of accounting standards (e.g. IPSAS).
• MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES
  

Knowledge Management

Prepare correspondence, documents or reports for submission to the Budget Committee which relate to the budget(s) during all stages up to final approval or implementation. Oversee the development, maintenance and expansion of databases used by the Section as a repository for various information such as: statistical data, financial analyses and budget related documents. Provide forecasts for certain categories of expenditure, including personnel, pensions and operating costs. Analyse, prepare, execute and i m p leme n t cost recovery systems and methodologies for the total scope of stakeholders and customers within the NATO- Wide Community.

Expertise Development

Build reporting, forecasting and modelling tools for cost analysis, and medium and long term budget scenarios, using available IT Tools such as Databases or ERP. Develop and initiate processes to improve existing methodologies for allocating costs to internal and external customers. Conduct specific analytical studies on request, reviewing and addressing financial and budgetary implications.

Project Management

Assist in the conception, implementation, execution and control of an activity/objective-based budget. Assist and conduct internal cost or performance controls. Monitor budget execution and analyses variances on a regular basis in support of projects or p ro g ra mme s . Contribute to screening, analysing and consolidating budget proposals and information received from customers prior to their inclusion in budget estimates. Actively contribute to and lead on the preparation and delivery Budget documents as requested.

Stakeholder Management

Collaborate with Divisions and Independent Offices, NATO Agencies and Nations to ensure that all parties adhere to set procedures and regulations. Communicate complex budget data in a clear and concise manner to interested parties ensuring customer needs and organizational requirements are covered. Attend ad hoc committee and working group meetings that address financial matters.

Information Management

Oversee and contribute to the efficient flow of information within the Section. Coordinate timely responses and actions. Maintain an effective follow-up and/or reminder system for pending actions within the Section. Provide constructive suggestions to improve office procedures. Find ways to be faster, better and more effective in managing information and using office tools.

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

• INTERRELATIONSHIPS
  

The incumbent reports to the Head of Budget, Planning and Analysis Section as a member of a small team. They participate as a supporting staff member in Budget Committee meetings, participates in various ad hoc Committees and working groups dealing with financial or budgetary matters. The post holderliaises with all International Staff services, Senior Management and Leadership, with National Delegations, Partner Nations and other NATO Bodies as required.

Direct reports: N/a

Indirect reports: N/a.

• COMPETENCIES
  

The incumbent must demonstrate:

• Achievement: Works to meet standards.
• Analytical Thinking: Sees multiple relationships.
• Clarity and Accuracy: Checks own work.
• Conceptual Thinking: Applies learned concepts.
• Customer Service Orientation: Takes personal responsibility for correcting problems.
• Empathy: Is open to others’ perspectives.
• Impact and Influence: Takes multiple actions to persuade.
• Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation.
• Teamwork: Solicits inputs and encourages others.
  

6. CONTRACT

Contract to be offered to the successful applicant (if non-seconded): Definite duration contract of three years; possibility of renewal for up to three years, during which the incumbent may apply for conversion to an indefinite duration contract.

Contract clause applicable:

In accordance with the contract policy, this is a post in which turnover is desirable for political reasons in order to be able to accommodate the Organisation’s need to carry out its tasks as mandated by the Nations in a changing environment, for example by maintaining the flexibility necessary to shape the Organisation’s skills profile, and to ensure appropriate international diversity.

The maximum period of service foreseen in this post is 6 years. The successful applicant will be offered a 3-year definite duration contract, which may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years. However, according to the procedure described in the contract policy the incumbent may apply for conversion to an indefinite contract during the period of renewal and no later than one year before the end of contract.

If the successful applicant is seconded from the national administration of one of NATO’s member States, a 3-year definite duration contract will be offered, which may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years subject also to the agreement of the national authority concerned. The maximum period of service in the post as a seconded staff member is six years.

Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Régulations.

NOTE: Irrespective of previous qualifications and experience, candidates for twin-graded posts will be appointed at the lower grade. Advancement to the higher grade is not automatic, and will not normally take place during the first three years of service in the post.

Under specific circumstances, serving staff members may be appointed directly to the higher grade, and a period of three years might be reduced by up to twenty four months for external candidates. These circumstances are described in the IS directive on twin-graded posts.

• USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
  

Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries. Applications must be submitted using e-recruitment system, as applicable:

• For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal ( link );
• For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment
  

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More information about the recruitment process and conditions of employment, can be found at our website (http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/recruit-hq-e.htm)

Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate), approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser, verification of your study(ies) and work experience, and the successful completion of the accreditation and notification process by the relevant authorities.

NATO will not accept any phase of the recruitment and selection prepared, in whole or in part, by means of generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots, such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (Chat GPT), or other language generating tools. NATO reserves the right to screen applications to identify the use of such tools. All applications prepared, in whole or in part, by means of such generative or creative AI applications may be rejected without further consideration at NATO’s sole discretion, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.

• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
  

NATO is committed to diversity and inclusion, and strives to provide equal access to employment, advancement and retention, independent of gender, age, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, cultural background, sexual orientation, and disability. NATO welcomes applications of nationals from all member Nations, and strongly encourages women to apply.

Building Integrity is a key element of NATO’s core tasks. As an employer, NATO values commitment to the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability in accordance with international norms and practices established for the defence and related security sector. Selected candidates are expected to be role models of integrity, and to promote good governance through ongoing efforts in their work.

Due to the broad interest in NATO and the large number of potential candidates, telephone or e-mail enquiries cannot be dealt with.

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.

The nature of this position may require the staff member at times to be called upon to travel for work and/or to work outside normal office hours.

The organization offers several work-life policies including Teleworking and Flexible Working arrangements (Flexitime) subject to business requirements.

Please note that the International Staff at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium is a non-smoking environment.

For information about the NATO Single Salary Scale (Grading, Allowances, etc.) please visit our website . Detailed data is available under the Salary and Benefits tab.