1. 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) and its civil budget.
The incumbent directs the Accounting and Finance Branch, leading the operational execution of NATO’s Civil and associated budgets. Managing four specialized units, they ensure all financial activities comply with relevant regulations and standards. They deputise for the Financial Controller as needed, exercising delegated authority in high-level decision-making.
Key challenges facing the successful candidate for the first three-five years will include:
1. Lead a financial process redesign or ERP optimization, overcoming resistance to legacy workflows and proving efficiency gains through clear, quantifiable metrics.
2. Standardise financial reporting by turning an audit-flagged but technically accurate process into a controlled, ERP-driven environment with transparent, audit-ready adjustments.
3. Defend financial statements to external auditors while persuading diverse stakeholders to adopt restrictive policies, achieving compromise without compromising compliance with the NATO accounting framework.
In addition to the application form, candidates are expected to submit a Word or pdf document, maximum of 2 A4 pages, summarising their views on the key (and possible other) challenges facing the Accounting and Finance Branch, and how they would address them if selected for the position.
2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
The incumbent must:
• hold a university degree in economics, accounting, business administration, public administration, finance, management or related discipline, and have a professional accounting certification issued by a recognised chartered institute of accountants;
• have at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, management and control of financial business processes, in an international organisation, governmental body or private sector, of which a minimum of 5 in team management and leadership roles;
• have proven experience in working with sophisticated, high-end ERP systems such as Oracle e-Business Suite or SAP; and
• possesses the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; III (“Intermediate”) in the other.
The following would be considered an advantage:
• familiarity with the NATO operations and procedures;
• have demonstrated knowledge and experience in the use of IPSAS, IFRS or equivalent accounting standards; and
• a relevant post graduate degree and/or other a professional certification from a recognized institution.
3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES
Planning and Execution: Ensure all financial transactions are processed accurately and on time according to NATO and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) standards. Oversee expenditure to confirm fund availability. Manage the full financial statement process and internal controls to guarantee the reliability of all financial data.
People Management: Create a motivating and effective workplace. Provide mentoring and training opportunities, as well as offering guidance at critical moments. Ensure that all staff under their responsibility have clarity about organisational and individual objectives. Provide regular and fair feedback on performance.
Organisational Efficiencies: Drive the modernisation of NATO’s financial functions, processes and standards, increasing the efficiency and overall performance of the service across the Organization. Support efforts undertaken to ensure that clients adopt the financial management and control processes. Partner with NATO stakeholders to develop financial policies.
Financial Management: Direct and oversee all budget, accounting, and financial operations, ensuring the accuracy of ERP ledgers, account reconciliations, and financial reporting. Manage complex financial accounts and ensure compliance with NATO regulations.
Perform any other related duty as assigned.
4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS
Reporting Line: The incumbent reports to the Financial Controller.
Interactions: They supervise a team of finance officers, assistants and consultants. They act as the primary interlocutor for the IBAN (External Auditor). They also work closely with OFC Heads of Service and NATO clients from both the IS and other NATO bodies.
Direct reports: 4
Indirect reports: 12
5. COMPETENCIES
The incumbent must demonstrate:
• Achievement: creates own measures of excellence and improves performance.
• Change Leadership: personally leads change.
• Conceptual Thinking: clarifies complex data or situations.
• Developing Others: gives feedback to encourage long-term development.
• Impact and Influence: uses indirect influence.
• Initiative: plans and acts up to a year ahead.
• Leadership: positions self as the leader.
• Organisational Awareness: understands organisational climate and culture.
• Self-Control: manages stress effectively.
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.
7. 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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Please note that the competition for this post is provisionally scheduled as follows:
Pre-selection testing: end of June 2026 / Beginning of July 2026;
Final selection: Beginning of August 2026, in Brussels, Belgium
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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 reference documents without proper quotes (plagiarism), or any tools available on internet, including but not limited to translation facilities, or generative artificial-intelligence (AI) 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 tools will be rejected without further consideration, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.
8. 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.
NATO is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible working environment, where all candidates living with disabilities can fully participate in the recruitment and selection process. If you require reasonable accommodation, please inform us during your selection process.
Candidates will be required to provide documented medical evidence to support their request for accommodation.
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.
NATO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. For more info please click here.