1. POST CONTEXT
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) is the strategic level command responsible for the planning, preparation, conduct and execution of NATO operations, missions, activities and tasks as directed by Council in order to achieve the strategic objectives of the Alliance.
The Plans Directorate directs, monitors, assesses and coordinates long-term planning, as well as policy matters, readiness, education, training, exercise, evaluation and partnerships staff functions.
The J7 Division plans, coordinates and executes the Education, Training, Exercise and Evaluation (ETEE) functions and contributes to NATO-wide ETEE. It manages the NATO Lessons Identified/Lessons Learned (LI/LL) process within the HQ.
The Collective Training and Exercise (TRX) Branch is responsible for the formulation and teaching of TRX Programming and Planning policies and procedures, the development and execution of the NATO Military Training and Exercise Programme, the coordination of SHAPE contributions to TRX, and the delivery of the NATO Multi Domain Exercises.
The Programming and Funding Section is responsible for the formulation of Programming policies and procedures, the development and execution of the Military Training and Exercise Programme (MTEP)
Exercise and Resources Coordination Manager contributes to all PRF tasks according to SHAPE Command Group Direction and Guidance and ensures synergies and coordination between all TREX programming stake holders with regards to TREX resources.
2. PRINCIPAL DUTIES
The incumbent's duties are:
a. Maintains collective training and exercise (TREX) Resources Management expertise across NATO and ensures the availability of supporting documents.
-Supports Lessons Learned (LL) process pertaining to TREX resources.
-Collects and shares best practices pertaining to TREX resources.
-Contributes to Allied Programming doctrine (AD 075-004) and contributes to the refinement of Funding policy.
-Contributes to the review of NATO Collective Training and Exercise Directive (Bi-SC 075-003) and other relevant directives (especially Bi-SC 075-002) with resources considerations.
-Provides advice pertaining to TREX Resources Management to NCS, NFS, and National exercise programmers.
b. Ensures Military Training and Exercise Programme (MTEP) sustainability and affordability in close coordination with HQ SACT.
-Translates TREX policies and concepts into sustainable and affordable MTEP. Staffs and develops the longer-term vision and strategy for the resourcing of TREX activities.
-Contributes to SACEUR Annual Guidance on ETEE (SAGE) development with TREX resources considerations.
-Develops MTEP Budget through the Exercise Budget User Group (EBUG), NATO HQ screening and execution. This includes the Working Group of National Technical Experts (WGNTE) CIS screening.
-Coordinates inputs into ACO’s resource planning process.
-Deconflicts the funding of Major Joint Exercises (MJX) from the design through the delivery (up to three years).
-Acts as Fund manager for specific funds as designated by ACOS J7 and delegated by the Financial Controller.
c. Contributes to NATO’s Common Exercise Picture (CEP).
-Maintains a comprehensive knowledge and oversight over the planning and execution of TREX resources.
-Provides updates and assessment pertaining to TREX resources.
-Facilitates information exchange pertaining to resources management within NATO TREX Community.
d. Supports SHAPE Divisions with TREX resources expertise.
-Updates SHAPE Divisions on available TREX resources.
-Provides Programme and Project Management advice to SHAPE OPRs for the resourcing of TREX activities scheduled by SHAPE.
Committee Participation:
• Integrated Resource Management (IRM) Working Group - Member/Representative
3. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND ADDITIONAL DUTIES
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 180 days. The employee may be required to perform a similar range of duties elsewhere within the organization at the same grade without there being any change to the contract.
The risk of injury is categorised as No risk / risk might increase when deployed.
4. ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
1. Professional/Experience
Minimum 4 years of experience in the following:
• Managerial experience with responsibility for exercising discretion, judgment, and initiative.
• Experience in Education, Training, Exercises and Evaluation (ETEE).
• Knowledge of strategic management processes and procedures as they pertain to the management of a large organization.
• Experience and thorough understanding of strategic political/military operations and the associated staff work.
• Knowledge of resource management, budgetary processes, requirement prioritization, risk management and their inter-relations with civilian / military process and management systems.
2. Education/Training
University Degree in management information systems, accounting, economics, finance, business administration, public administration, operations research, project management or related discipline and 4 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 5 years post related and 2 years function related experience.
In case of ambiguity the required job specific experience has priority over the standard education and training levels and experience described here.
3. Language
English – SPL 4343 – (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)
NOTE: The work both oral and written in this post and in this Headquarters as a whole is conducted mainly in English.
5. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
1. Professional/Experience
• 10 years in military staff roles, such as military HQ, agency, or national Ministry of Defense—including in a joint environment.
• Proven senior stakeholder coordination and briefing experience, including negotiating/working with multiple commands and nations/partners and regularly briefing complex issues to senior leadership (up to 4-star level).
• Demonstrated program/budget responsibility, including experience managing or committing funds in support of major training/exercise activities (planning through execution).
• Sound knowledge of CNAFS and NATO budgeting financial procedures.
b. Education/Training
• Master’s degree in a related subject (e.g. Business Administration, Education, International Relations).
• Professional Certification in Program or Project Management (PMI, Prince II, MSP)
6. COMPETENCIES
Personal attributes / qualifications:
High integrity and discretion with sensitive information.
Diplomatic, consensus-building communicator able to influence across commands and nations/partners.
Executive-level briefer who can present clear options and recommendations to senior leaders.
Analytical, structured problem-solver comfortable with complexity and trade-offs.
Decisive and accountable on priorities, policy, and resourcing decisions.
Collaborative leader and coordinator who aligns mixed civilian/military teams and stakeholders.
Managerial responsibilities: Lead and coordinate a mixed military/civilian team and drive an integrated program across Education, Training, Exercises and Evaluation (ETEE). Work largely independently, analyze complex issues, and make policy and budget decisions at internal and NATO boards, advising senior leaders on priorities and resource allocation.
Professional contacts: Act as a key coordinator across SHAPE, subordinate commands, and nations/partners. Regularly brief and build consensus at senior level (up to 4-star) and represent SHAPE/J7 at NATO and international meetings.
Contribution to objectives: Deliver analysis and recommendations that shape the planning and delivery of major exercises and support overall Division planning and organization.
7.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 defense 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.
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.
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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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.
A copy of the qualification/certificate covering the highest level of education required by the job description must be provided as an attachment. Essential information must be included in the application form. Particular attention should be given to Education and Experience section of the application form. The application should be in English. Shortlisted candidates will be requested to provide original documentary evidence and a set of copies supporting statements in their applications. After submitting your application, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt of your application.
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) Candidates’ individual telephone, e-mail or telefax enquiries cannot be dealt with. All candidates will receive an answer indicating the outcome of their application
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
E) As part of the recruitment process, the organization may review publicly available information to assess potential conflicts of interest, reputational risks, or behaviors inconsistent with the organization’s values.