1. SUMMARY
The Joint Intelligence and Security Division (JISD) has two main missions: to provide strategic intelligence to NATO HQ decision makers and to protect NATO’s personnel, information, and physical assets. JISD’s Intelligence pillar, comprised of both military and civilian personnel, is responsible for ensuring the situational awareness of the North Atlantic Council (NAC), the Military Committee (MC) and the senior-level decision-makers on strategic issues of concern. Its functional areas address intelligence analysis and production, intelligence policy, and intelligence capability development. JISD’s Security pillar is responsible for the overall coordination of NATO security among member Nations, NATO civil and military bodies as well as International Organizations and partner countries with which NATO cooperates. It is also responsible for the security of the NATO Headquarters (HQ), its personnel, information, physical assets, and for the protection of the Secretary General.
Within the Protective Security and Emergency Service Branch (PSESB), the Head of HQ Fire and Emergency Services, leads and manages a team of professional emergency responders responsible, at NATO HQ, for responding to fire, medical and other emergencies. They are the principal advisor to the Head, PSESB, and more broadly to the NATO HQ, for all policy, operational, planning and technical aspects of fire prevention and fire-fighting, emergency medical response, Chemical, Biological, Radirological and Nuclear (CBRN) and evacuation drills.
This position requires flexibility to work outside normal working hours.
2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
The incumbent must:
• possess a university degree, or an equivalent level of qualification relevant to the position;
• have at least 5 years of experience managing a team of professional firefighters;
• have a degree in crisis management or any other recognized advanced certificate specializing in firefighting and/or incident management/ emergency response, from a national fire prevention or civil protection body;
• have extensive experience as a professional firefighter and Emergency Management, Emergency planning and disaster recovery/ business continuity.
• possess the following minimum levels in the official langugaes of NATO (English/ French): V ("Advanced") in one and III ("Intermediate") in the other.
The following would be considered assets:
• experience in developing and implementing fire prevention, first-aid and emergency response training programs to professionnals, clients/community;
• have excellent knowledge of CBRN incident response procedures, rescue technics (Grimp); and
• knowledge of general occupational health and safety regulations and construction safety prevention.
3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES
Planning and Execution: Ensure, throughout NATO HQ, that emergency access and evacuation standards are respected. Draft security instructions and ensure effective communication with the responsible authorities and within the team. Analyse plans submitted by the Workspace Management and Business Continuity (WMBC) service and ensure compliance with material standards for fire resistance and flammability. Develop and implement emergency evacuation drills and exercises and contribute to the development of the NATO Emergency Response Group (ERG) role. Prepare and manage the annual budget for fire and emergency equipment, material and training in coordination with the Head, Operations Section and the Enterprise and Divisional Coherence (EDC) Unit.
Stakeholder Management: Establish and maintain good working relationships with the relevant Belgian authorities, and remain informed of host-nation legislation regarding firefighting, emergency response and prevention. Coordinate the role of the host nation emergency services to enable NATO emergency response teams to operate alongside host nation services. Provide professional expertise on fire detection, prevention, and fighting materials throughout HQ, for any projects as requested. Maintain frequent contact with the Medical Service to coordinate emergency medical services at NATO HQ.
Organizational Efficiencies: Provide advice on the determination of firefighting materials to be installed throughout the HQ and analyse the budgetary implications in conjunction with the JISD EDC Unit and in collaboration with the WMBC Office. Develop plans and policies for NATO HQ in coordination with host nation and host region fire and emergency/medical services.
People Management: Lead and manage a team of professional firefighters ready to respond 24 hours a day in case of fire, medical emergency, CBRN interventions or other emergency situation at NATO HQ. Ensure regular individual and team training, emergency response exercises and professional development training is conducted on relevant topics. Provide mentoring, coaching and be available to offer guidance at critical moments. Provide regular and fair feedback on performance, informally and formally via the HQ Achievement and Development Plan (ADP) system.
Perform any other related duties as assigned.
4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS
Reporting Line: The Head, HQ Fire and Emergency Services, reports to the Head of Operations.
Interactions: The incumbent works closely with WMBC Office, the Health and Safety Officer and NATO Medical Officer. They coordinate with the fire, medical and emergency response services of the region.
Direct reports: 5
Indirect reports: 13
5. COMPETENCIES
The incumbent must possess the following competencies:
• Achievement: creates own measures of excellence and improves performance.
• Analytical thinking: sees multiple relationships.
• Change leadership: expresses vision for change.
• Clarity and accuracy: monitors data or projects.
• Flexibility: adapts to unforeseen situations.
• Impact and influence: takes multiple actions to persuade.
• Initiative: plans and takes actions up to one year ahead.
• Leadership: keeps people informed.
• Organizational awareness: understands the Organization’s climate and culture.
• Self-control: responds calmly.
• Teamwork: expresses positive attitudes and expectations of the team or team members.
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.
NOTE: Irrespective of previous qualifications and experience, candidates for twin-graded posts will be appointed at the lower grade. These circumstances are described in the IS directive on twin-graded posts.
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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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.