1. Post Context.
The mission of the NATO Science & Technology Organization (STO) is to help position the Nations and NATO’s S&T investments as a strategic enabler of the knowledge and technical advantage for the defence and security posture of NATO and Partner Nations.
The Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) is chartered to provide executive and administrative support to the Chief Scientist in fulfilling his/her roles as the Chair of the STB and the senior scientific advisor at NATO Headquarters.
The Strategy & Policy Branch (GSX) provides the primary support to the Chief Scientist in policy development and the implementation of policies and programmes. The Branch drafts and develops the STB guidance for the STO, the NATO S&T Enterprise and the wider S&T ecosystem, and oversees its implementation. Furthermore, SPO performs strategic outreach to NATO S&T Enterprise and ecosystem, promotes STO partnerships, and prepares strategic messages for the Chief Scientist at STO corporate level.
Candidates are requested to provide a motivation letter outlining their interest in the position and relevant experience. The motivation letter will be taken into consideration as part of the selection process.
2. Principal Duties.
The Officer, Partnership supports the Chief Scientist by managing the STO’s institutional and political partnerships, and developing plans and engagements in line with STO strategic objectives. The incumbent is responsible for:
a. Managing and developing STO institutional partnerships (with other NATO entities, and other organisations such as the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the NATO Innovation Fund, and the NATO-accredited Centres of Excellence) by:
• Maintaining oversight over STO Partnerships with other entities;
• Developing new and revising existing partnership agreements, as directed by the Chief Scientist and in close coordination with the Head, Strategy and Policy;
• Coordinating the implementation of STO institutional partnerships across STO and with the respective institutional partner, e.g., through annual action plans (as defined in the specific partnership agreements agreed by the STB);
b. Managing and developing STO political partnerships (with non-NATO countries), in accordance with extant NATO partnership policies, by:
• Maintaining oversight over NATO’s Individually Tailored Partnership Programmes (ITPP), in particular the S&T elements therein;
• Draft STO contributions to ITPPs, and coordinate those drafts within the STO and with NATO HQ staffs;
• Engage with Partner country representatives on ITPPs.
c. Maintaining an overview of NATO partnership policies relevant to STO;
d. Supporting the Head, Strategy & Policy by:
• Advising on updates and revisions of STO partnership policies;
• Formulating recommendations and promoting new organisational schemes of cooperation aimed at institutionalising partnerships.
e. Acting as principal PoC for all partnership-related questions, both internal to the STO (from STB, STCs, CSO, CMRE) and external to the STO (in particular from IS/PASP and IMS/CS);
f. Contributing to the development and implementation of the STB priorities, including the NATO S&T Strategies and NATO S&T Priorities, as well as STB initiatives and policies.
3. Special Requirements and Additional Duties.
• Performing other related functions, as directed by the Chief Scientist.
• The functions involve irregular working hours and frequent travel abroad, including on weekends.
4. Essential Qualifications.
a. Professional/Experience.
The incumbent must have:
• Broad knowledge of research and development organisations.
• Broad knowledge of programmes and activities within NATO member states’ S&T communities.
• Broad operational knowledge of military technology.
• A significant previous experience, minimum 3 years, of working in a Science & Technology environment at different management levels.
• 3-year experience in working in an international environment having demonstrated the capability of working in a multinational and multicultural environment with scientific and military personnel at all levels. This pertains in particular to NATO or comparable organizations.
• Proven skills in authorship of clear and concise documents; and giving effective presentations.
• Sufficient managerial experience in the same or related career field at various levels of responsibility.
• Working knowledge of office word processing, spreadsheet, graphics presentations and database software.
b. Education/Training.
• A degree from a university or institute of recognised standing or an equivalent qualification from a defence/military institution, for example in a scientific, technical, engineering or mathematical discipline.
c. Language Requirements.
• Very good knowledge of one of the two official NATO languages, English or French (SLP 4444), good knowledge of the other (SLP 3333). The work is mainly conducted in the English language.
5. Desirable Qualifications.
a. Professional/Experience.
The incumbent should have:
• Experience in a Ministry or Department of Defence dealing with the development of defence capabilities and military technology.
• Practical management experience in planning, programming and budgeting.
• Proven skills in leadership, conflict resolution and negotiating, chairing meetings, and training of subordinates.
• Experience in supervising staff.
b. Education/Training.
• A state or university post-graduate degree in a scientific, technical, engineering or mathematical discipline of interest to defence and/or security.
c. Language Requirements.
• Knowledge of other languages.
6. Attributes/Competencies:
a. Personal Attributes:
• Initiative.
• Analytical thinking.
• Tact and capacity to co-operate and work harmoniously with high-level civilian and military personnel of different NATO Nations.
• Reliability.
• Trustworthiness, discretion and high sense of responsibility.
b. Managerial Responsibilities: NA
c. Professional Contacts:
• Interacts daily with the Chief Scientist and other staff members in the OCS, who are International Military Personnel or NATO International Civilians.
• Deals with high-level scientists, engineers and military personnel from Allied and Partner Nations.
• Co-ordinates activities with members of the STB, National Co-ordinators, Chairs of the STO Scientific and Technical Committees, and Directors and staff of the STO Executive Bodies.
• Coordinates with senior NATO officials at coordination level.
d. Contribution to Objectives: The Officer, Partnership provides the essential support to the Chief Scientist with regard to STO partnerships.
7. Remarks. None.
9. 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
Before you apply to any position, we encourage you to click here and watch our video providing 6 tips to prepare you for your application and recruitment process.
Do you have questions on the application process in the system and not sure how to proceed? Click here for a video containing the information you need to successfully submit your application on time.
When submitting your application, please ensure that your Taleo Candidate Profile is updated and that your CV is correctly uploaded in the Taleo attachments section.
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.
10. 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.