Post Context/Post Summary

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  Peacetime activities into crisis and conflict. SHAPE supports the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) in fulfilling his terms of reference, as directed by the North Atlantic Council.

The Plans Directorate is responsible for the development, review and maintenance of Strategic Planning, Advanced Planning and Crisis Planning products for Allied Command Operations (ACO) and contributes to the development of strategic policy and concepts for ACO;

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 Policy Branch is responsible for the development of strategic policies 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 for and advising on European Security and SHAPE – EU relations, management of military standardization, Conventional Arms Control and WMD/CBRN Defence.

Principal Duties

The incumbent's duties are:

1.    To act as ACO focal point for all management of Joint military operational standardization and represents ACO in NATO Joint Standardization forums.

2.    To represent ACO in the Military Committee Joint Standardization Board (MCJSB).

3.    To support ACO representatives in Working Groups and Panels subordinate to Military Committee Joint Standardization Board.

4.    To be responsible for the implementation and application of superior HQ policy, guidance, directives, doctrines, procedures and regulations.

5.    To develops initiatives and address issues related to NATO’s overall Policy and Military Strategy.

6.    To provide military advice, including representing own HQ in committees, conferences, boards, working group meetings.

7.    To develop military concepts or provide inputs to higher HQ's concept development (non-CONOPS/OPLAN) across all functional areas.

8.    To prepare briefings, background papers and talking points for the SHAPE Command Group.

9.    Coordinates ACO’s military standardization activities.

10. Provides liaison with the NATO Standardization Office (NSO).

11. Coordinates standardization proposals, standardization tasks, responses to ratification requests and impact statements for Allied Joint Publications.

12. Coordinates NATO and partner military standardization activities.

13. Leads and/or coordinates SHAPE tasker assignments for assigned area of responsibility.

Special Requirements and Additional Duties

The incumbent may be required to undertake deployments in support of military operations and exercises, and/or TDY assignments, both within and without NATO boundaries up to 180 days. The employee may be required to perform a similar range of duties elsewhere within the organization at the same grade without there being any change to the contract.

Essential Qualifications

A.       Professional/Experience

• 1)    Minimum of 4 years’ experience in the field of Standardization and Interoperability. 
• 2)    Completion of national staff college, NATO Defense College or acceptable previous NATO experience, with a comprehensive understanding of the NATO structure, concepts, policies and procedures.
• 3)    Capacity to lead, motivate and engage a diverse and multidisciplinary team, and 4 years leading teams in a multinational environment. 

B.       Education/Training

University Degree and 4 years post related experience, or Higher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 7 years post related experience.

C.       Language

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

Desirable Qualifications

A.            Professional Experience

• 1)    Previous experience working within NATO Structure entities of minimum 3 years in the field of Standardization and interoperability.
• 2)    Experience in Exercise and Training.
• 3)    Proven experience in Strategic planning, Advance planning and Crisis planning in a NATO Headquarter.

B.            Education/Training

• 1)    Possess at least 4 years of experience in leading teams in a multinational environment.
• 2)    Strategic Operations Planning Course (SOPC) (JPL-OP-31378) provided by NATO - School Oberammergau (NSO) or equivalent.
• 3)    Standardization within NATO Course (ETE-SD-31500) provided by MILITARY UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY/FACULTY OF SECURITY, LOGISTICS AND MANAGEMENT or equivalent.
• 4)    25000 Drafting Production and Maintenance of NATO Standards (ETE-SD-35477) provided by NATO - Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC) or equivalent.
• 5)    The Allied Joint Doctrine Development Course or equivalent (https://nso.nato.int/nso/home/main/home/publications/training-events/20241212)
• 6)    NATO Standardization Online Education Course or equivalent ((https://nso.nato.int/nso/home/main/home/publications/online-training/20210419)

Attributes/Competencies

Personal Attributes: 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.

Managerial Responsibilities: Committee for Standardization, as required. Member/Representative

Professional Contacts: In order to accomplish the required duties, the incumbent must engage with a various range of Military and Civilian personnel within the NATO Command Structure as well as from across SHAPE. Dealing with different nations and entities implies working with a high level of understanding, maturity and displaying a high level of diplomatic tact. The candidate must assure that the information collected and validated in the meetings are shared with the relevant personnel in order to enhance the overall effectiveness of the team.

Contribution to Objectives: The position goal is to aid the accomplishment of the Joint Standardization objectives, to build a strong Alliance and to be able to meet all the present and future challenges related to DDA Family of Plans and its executability. This post supports military implementation of the Standardization policy aspects of J5 functions in accordance with SACEUR exercising his command functions. It supports advice for ACO in order to achieve the desired objectives by enabling standardized and interoperable forces; developing, maintaining, and improving their capabilities. This post also supports the timely and effective planning, implementation and maintenance of DDA Family of Plan, as required.

REMARKS:

 PENDING APPROVAL

Duration of contract: Serving staff members will be offered a contract according to the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations (NCPR).  Newly recruited staff will be offered a definite duration contract of three years normally followed by an indefinite duration contract.

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. 

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. 

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.

We believe that all people are capable of great things.  Because of this, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all of the criteria listed within this job description.

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.

Applications submitted by other means (e.g. mail, e-mail, fax, etc) are not accepted. 

More information to be found on these links:

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Application Process

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 32 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) All candidates will receive an answer indicating the outcome of their application

D) 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