Post Context
ACT contributes to preserving the peace, security and territorial integrity of Alliance member states by leading, at Strategic Command level, Warfare Development required to enhance NATO’s posture, military structures, forces, capabilities and doctrines.

The Capability Development Directorate (CAPDEV) comprises two Divisions—Requirements and Capabilities. The Directorate supports SACT in his Capabilities Requirement Authority (CRA) role. It is responsible for a holistic through lifecycle Capability Development approach that infuses innovation and transformative efforts that are an integral part of the Warfare Development. This includes responsibilities for elicitation, development, capture and collection, quality review, traceability and visibility of capability requirements.

The Capabilities Division coordinates the development of capabilities from capability planning through acceptance and then disposal with the management entities, NATO Headquarters staff and the NATO Governance Structure. This entails synchronizing horizontally across capabilities to achieve coherent efforts and outcomes.

The establishment of the Capability Area Coordinators helps fulfil the requirements outlined in the Model; to provide input to inform Governance with visibility of the capability development process and progress; to contribute and lead as required the deliver the best quality management products possible; and to improve delivery of the required capabilities that meet commanders’ performance expectations within expected timelines and agreed cost.

The Capability Area Coordinators should\:

  • Have a extensive understanding of the NATO Common Funded Capability Delivery processes, with a proven experience in programmatic and operational issues associated with programme, with relevant expertise to the assigned infrastructures capability(s).
  • Have the appropriate level of capability and programmatic experience and training to support capability and programme management activities, including being able to identify and understand the application and use (including potential breaches) of programme tolerances.
  • Fully understand and be able to work effectively with all the roles defined in the Model, championing them, monitoring, encouraging and providing feedback.

Principal Duties\:

  • In direct support of the NATO 2030 taskings, to lead the overall coordination at capability level the efforts of the individual capability management entities across all DOTMLPFI capability aspects, throughout the capability life cycle. He/she will be held accountable for fulfilling this coordination role to Governance, through the Capability Requirement Authority (CRA).
  • Drive the timely coordination of Governance deliverables, infrastructure related capability programme status reports, and forecasted tolerance breaches, etc., through the CMF – NATO 2030 throughout the capability life cycle.
  • Participate and lead the discussion on the assigned capabilities at the weekly CMCG. Brief the impact on Capabilities for each each NATO 2030 related management-level programme deliverables (CRB, CPP) to the MC and Resource Plans and Policy Board (RPPB), including a clear explanation of how the programme fits in to the overall capability.
  • Lead the coherence aspects of the NATO 2030 Capability efforts and conduct coherence workshop (with all relevant stakeholders to include ACO, ACT, NCIA, NSPA, NATO CIO, NATO HQ, and particularly with Territorial Host Nations),  for the assigned capabilities to include sequencing, synchronization and de-confliction
  • Work with the management programmatic teams and ensure information flow with Governance in a timely manner to enable effective decision making.
  • Drive the coherence of NATO 2030 management efforts and outcomes within the CMF, by monitoring cost, scope, schedule, performance and risk across DOTMLPFI.
  • Coordinate with Capability Monitors all escalations of unresolved DOTMLPFI risks/issues affecting other projects or programmes to the CMF, then CMAs then to Governance, as a last resort.
  • To provide input to policy development in NATO functional areas as well supporting the development of NATO enterprise and capability architectures.
  • To coordinate with Territorial Host Nations to ensure the  effective implementation of new infrastructures from projects related to NATO 2030, in accordance with the programme plan and programme governance arrangements.
  • Preparing and coordinating plans as required for the development and implementation of the NATO 2030 infrastructures related efforts.
  • Decision Authority\:  Accountable for fulfilling this coordination role to Governance, through the Capability Requirement Authority (CRA) and the Capability Management Function mechanisms.

Essential Qualifications / Experience\:

  • University Degree  in management information systems, accounting, economics, finance, business administration, public administration, operations research, project management or related discipline  and 6 years post related experience, or Higher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training  in that discipline leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 6 years post related and 2 years function related experience.
  • Extensive experience in political-military work in strategic Headquarters
  • 6 years of experience in Portfolio, Programme and Project management of complex system acquisition and/or development for a large organization using AXELOS or PMI methodology.
  • 8 years recent experience in a management role with proven leadership skills.
  • Practitioner-level certification in Programme Management (Axelos MSP, PMI PgMP or similar) and practical experience in Programme and Portfolio Management.
  • In depth knowledge and proven practical experience in the management of infrastructure programmes with the emphasis on their implementation.
  • Experience in requirements management.
  • Excellent analytical, problem solving and verbal and written communication skills.
  • Effective oral and written communication skills, with good briefing and presentation skills, ability to interact with senior military and civilian officials in an international environment using tact and diplomacy.
  • Ability to facilitate/present with strong persuasion to secure buy-in and highly effective negotiating skills to achieve desired outcomes including business growth.
  • Ability to multi-task, manage time and work effectively under pressure while producing high-quality products under short-notice deadlines.
  • Ability to work successfully in an international environment with both military and civilian staff.
  • Familiarity with the use of computer-based support tools.

Desirable Qualifications / Experience\:

  • Practitioner-level certification in Management of Risk (AXELOS MoR, PMI RMP, or similar)

Language\:
English – SLP 3333 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

Attributes/Competencies\:

Managerial Responsibilities\:

May be responsible for contractors and or ad hoc project teams – will need to influence programme and project directors/co-ordinators. This post will have direct influence on Branch/ACOS and DCOS objectives and priorities. Will be expected to manage and plan daily/weekly work within set broad direction and guidance.

Professional Contacts\:

Will work extensively with Branch Heads and Programme Directors as well as ACO/HQ NATO staffs and will need to brief and persuade to ensure desired outcomes

Contribution To Objectives\:

The work output will directly affect the plans and objectives of the HQ. The work will affect resourcing decisions.

Security Clearance

The successful applicant will be required to apply for and receive a NATO SECRET Security Clearance prior to final confirmation of contract and commencement of employment.

Contract

This position is linked to a specific NATO project and is for a limited duration of 2 (two) years only.

Serving NATO International Civilian staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations.  Newly recruited staff will be offered a two year definite duration contract.

Notes for Candidates

The HQ SACT web site gives full details on the eligibility criteria and application processes to be adopted by all candidates.  However, candidates should particularly note\:

Please answer each of the pre-screening questions completely in English. Expressions such as\: “please see attached CV, please see annex, please see enclosed document, etc” are not acceptable; this is a cause of immediate rejection of the application.

Particular attention should be given to Education and Experience section of your application form, which should be populated with details of your career to date and educational achievements and certifications as they relate to your application.

The candidature of NATO redundant staff at grade G20 will be considered with priority.

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.

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.

This vacancy will close on 2 February 2026 @ 17\:59hrs (EST)/11\:59hrs (CET).

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.