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 Baseline Activities and Current Operations (BACO) up to the Maximum Level of Effort (MLE). SHAPE supports SACEUR in fulfilling his terms of reference, as directed by the North Atlantic Council.
The Finance and Acquisition Directorate ls responsible for all international and multinational appropriated and non-appropriated funds in ACO. The responsibility encompasses supervision and oversight of subordinate ACO commands and development of financial and acquisition policies. The Directorate represents SHAPE/ACO in the Budget Committee, participates in the development of international agreements and the annual Consolidated Resource Plan (CRP), and advises/assists the SHAPE Command Group with respect to Military Budget-funded requirements. The Directorate plans and executes the annual ACO military budget with the contracting, finance and accounting, and cash management it entails whilst ensuring coordination with external entities is observed.
The ACO Corporate Accounting and Control Branch performs delegated financial controller functions for the Allied Command Operations (ACO) HQs.
The Corporate Accounting Management (CAM) Section ensures solid finance, accounting and cash management expertise on ACO HQs and operations for the SHAPE Comprehensive Crisis Operations Management Centre (CCOMC).
The incumbent supports the CAM Section in providing administrative, accounting and financial expertise in the accurate execution, recording, monitoring and reporting of financial transactions in accordance with NATO Financial Regulations (NFRs), Financial Rules and Procedures (FRPs), International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and internal control procedures.
Principal Duties
Assists with month-end and year-end closing activities. Contributes to the preparation of month-end and year-end closure guidance for all ACO commands.
Ensures the execution of accounting transactions for all financial modules of the ERP system, in compliance with applicable rules and regulations. Reconciles ledger balances, investigates discrepancies and recommends corrective actions.
Provides guidance on financial procedures and best practices to the ACO finance community. Communicates effectively both in writing and verbally.
Contributes to the preparation of the consolidated annual financial statements.
Supports preparation of audit documentation and responses to auditors.
Assists in the implementations, modifications, testing and documentation of revised and new accounting control procedures.
Performs the analysis and follow-up of the iterative reconciliation process with the other NATO entities. .
Performs backup function for the creation/update of the ACO Master Data (bank accounts, customers, chart of accounts, employee profiles, traveler profiles for SHAPE) in line with ACO Policies and directives.
Develops customized reports for the ACO community in the ACO Financial System (Oracle EBS).
Participates in process improvement initiatives and implementation of financial system changes in the ERP system. ls part of the key user team for the development of ACO centralized accounting strategy and implementation of upgraded accounting system.
Contributes to the development and implementation of new IPSASs and respective financial accounting policies/directives throughout ACO.
Liaises with internal and external stakeholders involved in the various streamlining and financial system improvement efforts undertaken by the team.
Special Requirements and Additional Duties
The employee may be required to perform a similar range of duties elsewhere within the organisation at the same grade without there being any change to the contract.
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 30 days.
The work is normally performed in a Normal NATO office working environment.
Essential Qualifications
Professional/Experience
At least 2 years’ professional experience in accounting and financial activities, control of accounts, and preparation of financial reporting at corporate level.
Minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in financially related fields including budget or accounting/financial reporting.
Experience in performing comprehensive analysis on impact of new standards and policies on the organization business processes and proven ability to provide support to the different divisions in the practical implementation of the change required.
At least 3 years of broad practical experience as user and analyst of the financial ERP modules within the NATO environment.
Education/Training
Higher Secondary education and intermediate vocational training in accounting, finance, management, business administration, public administration, economics or related discipline which might lead to a formal qualification with 3 years experience, or Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training in that discipline leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 4 years post related experience.
The additional job specific qualifications and experience are described under Professional/Experience paragraph (4/a). ln case of ambiguity the required job specific experience have priority over the standard education and training levels and experience described here.
Language
English - SLP 3322 (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)
Desirable Qualifications
Professional Experience
Experience as Principal Analyst or administrator at corporate level (or equivalent) in NATO or other multi-national organization, or experience in business administration at corporate level (or equivalent) in a commercial or governmental organization.
Experience and knowledge in the application of NATO financial rules and regulations.
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Experience as an accountant, finance analyst in NATO, a major international/multi-national organization or a national audit institution.
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Familiarity and hands-on experience in operation of Oracle ERP systems in use in NATO military headquarters.
Education/Training
Higher Secondary education in economics, accounting, business administration, public administration, finance, management or related discipline and 5 years post related experience.
Language
English - SLP 3333
Attributes/Competencies
Personal Attributes
He/she has to deal with professionals and non-professionals which requires patience and sound judgment. S/he must display a high degree of integrity, proactivity, and professionalism.Ensures that NATO Financial Rules and regulations, as well as ACO implementing rules and directives, are complied with.Uses understanding of operational requirements to assist service managers in determining the best way to achieve their goals, and uses own initiative to develop training.Strong skills in analyzing complex and novel issues in international standards/directives, and applying a comparative law perspective.
Excellent skills in drafting a broad range of policy documents, including briefing notes and reports on financial and accounting.Ensures NATO/ACO/SHAPE rules, regulations, policies, and directives are properly followed. Requiring tact. Most duties will be routine, but they require professional knowledge of accounting to determine proper posting and to design/extract management reports and information.Must have a working understanding of ACO/SHAPE directives and policies to ensure appropriate documentation is available before recording/executing a transaction; and must know when fund, budget, project and contract managers must be contacted for additional clarification/documentation.
Managerial Responsibilities
Is involved in the coordination of the ACO HQ Finance & Accounting Offices for all accounting purpose and for the preparation of ACO Consolidated Financial Statements.
Additionally, dependent on requirements, s/he may be required to direct and supervise the work priorities of one or more HQ multifunctional teams.
Professional Contacts
The incumbent has daily external contacts with the financial community in ACO. The incumbent interacts routinely with financial managers, Legal Officers or military equivalents and disbursing officers through ACO ensuring efficient use of available resources.
Contribution To Objectives
The incumbent will develop, analyse and consolidate financial accounting data in order to develop financial solutions to important challenges facing ACO. He/She will:
- contribute to the development of the strategic level implementation of a centralized accounting system together with the upgrade of the financial accounting system.
- identify and recommend solutions for providing accounting support to operational missions and ACO HQs.
- guarantee the integrity of the accounting aspects of the ACO automated financial management system.
REMARKS:
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.
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.
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.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A NATO CIVILIAN POST AT SHAPE:
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.
More information to be found on these links:
Shortlisted candidates will be requested to provide original documentary evidence and a set of copies supporting statements in their applications. Appointment is subject to obtaining a NS security clearance and a medical certificate.
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)Qualified redundant staff of the same grade interested in this post should inform this office, via their HR/Personnel Office by not later than vacancy’s closing date.
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.