Assistant Secretary General (ASG)

NOTIFICATION OF AN “UNCLASSIFIED” GRADE VACANCY

NATO INTERNATIONAL STAFF

OPEN TO NATIONALS OF NATO MEMBER STATES ONLY 

DIVISION: Defence Investment (DI)

TITLE: Assistant Secretary General (ASG)

GRADE: Unclassified

COMPENSATION: shortlisted candidates will be provided with a simulation of the compensation package for this post.

SECURITY CLEARANCE: CTS/A

Please note that the competition for this post is provisionally scheduled for 26, 27 and 30 May 2016 in Brussels, Belgium.

1. SUMMARY

The Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment (ASG/DI) leads the Defence Investment Division of the NATO International Staff. It is at the forefront of the development and delivery of capabilities covering the full range of military missions. Particular focus is put on the development of common funded capabilities but also on capabilities related to Smart Defence and the Connected Forces initiative, aimed at achieving the goals set out by NATO Heads of State and Government for “NATO Forces 2020.”

The Division provides policy, technical and procedural expertise relating to armaments, air defence, missile defence, airspace management, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Command, Control, and Communication.

The Division has the overall responsibility within the NATO International Staff for the development of the NATO Ballistic Missile Defence capability, related work in support of NATO-Russia cooperation as well as possible activities with third States.

It exercises similar responsibilities in the Joint ISR field by exercising coordination and oversight of contributions by all involved NATO entities.

The Division also covers, for the International Staff, policy aspects of armaments cooperation and the relationship with both Industry and the Science and Technology communities. It plays an important role in promoting multinational cooperation through concrete projects including those related to Smart defence and Connected Forces Initiatives, as well as in developing cooperation with Partner nations in the different NATO agreed frameworks.

The Division is also responsible for the construction phase of the new NATO Headquarters, which is currently being built.

The Division also coordinates NATO’s Institutional Adaptation agenda and is the in-house reform leader.

The ASG/DI manages the Division (composed of approximately 95 staff members), and is supported in this task by one Deputy ASG who also leads the Division’s Strategy Directorate, one Director who is in charge of the Armaments and Aerospace Capability Directorate, and a Director who leads the new NATO Headquarters Project Office. ASG/DI also jointly leads, with the Director General of the International Military Staff, the NATO Headquarters Consultation Command and Control Staff, composed of approximately 80 civil and military staff.

There are 7 Assistant Secretaries General, all of whom report to the NATO Secretary General and are also accountable to the North Atlantic Council. As a member of the Secretary General’s senior management team, each Assistant Secretary General is also expected to contribute to overall policy development and delivery, including in areas beyond their direct set of responsibilities.

2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The candidate must possess:

• a solid background in defence matters, specifically in the field of armaments and defence systems developed through a minimum of 10-15 years of experience; direct change management experience; and a proven track record in successfully implementing complex programmes;
• a university degree (Master’s level preferred) in a relevant field;
• experience working in a multilateral environment or an environment with a variety of stakeholders from multi-cultural backgrounds including the military, the industry and the science and technology communities;
• a proven track record of experience in progressively senior posts, recent experience in senior-level leadership positions and significant professional experience in managerial positions;
• a proven track record of creating a high-level vision and directing organisations to develop and implement the necessary policies;
• the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): VI (“Proficiency”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other.

3. ACCOUNTABILITIES

The ASG/DI deals directly with NATO members and partners as well as other international organisations on issues relating to delivery of military capabilities. He/she, chairs and co-chairs high-level committees composed of NATO Nations and partners:

• The ASG is the Chairman of NATO’s Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD), which oversees systems and equipment programmes such as Missile defence and Joint ISR, as well as promotes multinational cooperation;
• The ASG is the Chairman of the NATO Consultation, Command, and Control Board (C3B), which defines NATO Policy in the field of Communication and Information Systems and technically supports NATO Cyber Defence activities;
• The ASG is the Chairman of the Deputy Permanent Representatives Committee when it considers the new NATO HQ, as well as when it considers institutional adaptation and reform issues
• The ASG is the co-chairman, with the Deputy Chairman of the Military Committee, of the NATO Standardization Committee, which oversees production of norms and standards in interoperability;
• The ASG chairs the Defence Policy and Planning Committee when it addresses Agency Reform and political-military aspects of Missile Defence.

ASG/DI will speak in public fora and to the Press on behalf of the Secretary General. There is a substantial representation function associated with this appointment.

In his/her role as manager of the Division, the incumbent will lead and oversee a team of International Staff officials which are under the direct supervision of the Heads of Section. Specifically, the ASG will:

• Attract Staff: Ensure recruitment panels for posts in his/her Division are fair and objective; Serve on the Establishment Committee and make selection recommendations with the best interests of the Organization in mind;

• Develop Staff: Adhere to sound management principles with staff, and provide in depth mentoring, coaching and training opportunities; Be available for guidance at critical moments; Ensure that all Divisional staff are clear on Organizational and Divisional objectives; Provide regular and fair feedback on performance, informally as appropriate and via the performance management system;

• Monitor and Promote Performance: Participate in a collegial review of performance at divisional level to discuss possible development and mobility opportunities for individuals, identify high potentials and help ensure common standards are applied in the process across the Organization; Serve on the Establishment Committee and make contract renewal or conversion decisions with the best interests of the Organization in mind;

• Foster Continual Improvement: Act as a member of the Headquarters Management Board (HQMB) and Headquarters Policy Board (HQPB), actively contributing to the improvement of the Organization; Participate in the Senior Leader Orientation Programme, the Chairman Training Programme, and other programmes related to the successful execution of his/her duties.

4. COMPETENCIES

Candidates must demonstrate the following competencies:

• Achievement
• Change Leadership
• Conceptual Thinking
• Clarity and Accuracy
• Developing Others
• Impact and Influence
• Initiative
• Leadership
• Organizational Awareness

5. KEY CHALLENGES

Key challenges facing the successful candidate for ASG/DI during the next 3 years will likely include among others:

• Ensuring delivery and interoperability of current and future defence capabilities with a specific focus on Missile Defence and the broad Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance domain;
• Advancing the Alliance’s transformation by promoting and implementing capabilities initiatives and driving forward defence innovation;
• Ensuring the successful pursuit of NATO’s Institutional Adaptation to ensure NATO is in the best possible shape to meet current and future security challenges;
• Successfully delivering the new NATO HQ project.

Candidates are asked, as part of their answers to the pre-screening questions in the application form, to summarise their views on the key (and possible other) challenges, and how they would address them if selected for the position.

Selection of candidates for NATO posts is based upon the merit principle.

Shortlisted candidates will have to be available for the selection process which is expected to take place on 26, 27 and 30 May 2016, in Brussels, Belgium.

6. CONTRACT

The successful applicant will be employed for an initial period of 3 years. Exceptionally, there may be possibility of a one-year extension thereafter.

7. HOW TO APPLY:

Applications must be submitted using one of the following links, as applicable:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

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

Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate) and approval of the candidate’smedical file by the NATO Medical Adviser.

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.

Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries.

NATO as an employer values diverse backgrounds and perspectives and is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and talented workforce. NATO welcomes applications of nationals from all Member States and strongly encourages women to apply.

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

• For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal (for more information, please contact your local Civilian HR Manager);
• For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment