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.
2. PRINCIPAL DUTIES
The Officer Communications supports the Chief Scientist by developing and executing comprehensive communication plans and shaping messages that align with the STO's goals and NATO’s values. The incumbent is responsible for:
a. Preparing the strategic communication messages at STO corporate level:
• for the NATO Chief Scientist, in particular to advise policy makers and senior leadership at NATO HQ about relevant technology trends and the associated risks, opportunities, and choices for military operations, capability development, and future investments in S&T,
• for national STB members in order to inform national decision-making;
b. Preparing key messages for senior level engagements of the Chief Scientist with Allied and Partner Nations, and with international bodies;
c. Analysing, for promotion in STO corporate communications, the reports and documents of the STO and other NATO S&T stakeholders (committees, staffs, commands, or agencies) on a continuing basis in order to identify current or recently completed research work, in coordination with the STO Executive Bodies;
d. Developing strategic communications activities to enhance STO and OCS’s brand image and voice by highlighting the value and relevance of S&T for NATO and the Nations, and illustrating recent results and achievements, including the annual “Women & Girls in Science Challenge”, the annual “STO Highlights Report”, and other STO promotional communication products;
e. Providing corporate communication support to strategic STB priorities (such as for example the NATO S&T Strategy, the S&T Trends reports, the STEM Forward network);
f. Drafting and developing, in consultation with CSO and CMRE, the STO corporate policy and guidance on Strategic Communication for senior approval, and promoting their implementation;
g. Serving as the STO interface with the Public Diplomacy Division of the International Staff in order to:
• Ensure timely and targeted STO contributions to NATO’s strategic communication and public diplomacy campaigns,
• Stay fully informed about NATO’s overarching communication policies, and promote their implementation within the STO as appropriate;
h. Serving as the OCS media interface, in close coordination with the Public Diplomacy Division;
i. Supporting the Chief Scientist in overseeing activities related to external communications, including development and maintenance of STO websites, and the organization of STO overarching events.
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:
• In-depth knowledge of internal and external communication techniques, particularly strategic communication, with a minimum 3 years of experience.
• Proficiency in digital communication tools.
• In-depth use of visual creation and project management tools, broad expertise in digital communication and social media management.
• Broad knowledge of institutional, event and corporate communications.
• 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, press releases, press kits and other editorial content; and effective presentations skills.
• 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.
• Advanced university degree, or national military equivalent, in communication, marketing or public relations discipline, or in a scientific, technical, engineering or mathematical discipline of interest.
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
• Experience in a Ministry or Department of Defence dealing with the development of defence capabilities and military technology.
• Broad knwledge of NATO member states’ S&T communities.
• Broad operational knoledge of military technology.
• Practical management experience in planning, programming and budgeting.
• Proven skills in negotiating, chairing meetings, and training of subordinates.
• Experience in supervising staff.
b. Education/Training
• A state or university post-graduate degree in communication, marketing or public relations discipline, or a scientific, technical, engineering or mathematical discipline of interest to defence and/or security.
c. Language Requirements.
• Knowledge of other languages represent an asset.
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, Communications provides the essential support to the Chief Scientist with regard to corporate communications of the OCS and the STO.
7. REMARKS
None.
8. CONTRACT
Contract to be offered to the successful applicant (if non seconded): Definite duration contract of 3 years; possibility of renewal for up to 3 years.
Contract clause applicable:
As employment in this post is required for a limited period, as this is a temporarily civilianised military post, the successful applicant will be offered a definite duration contract of 3 years’ duration, which, if required, may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years.
If the successful applicant is seconded from the national administration of one of NATO’s member States, a 3 years’ definite duration contract will be offered, which, if required, may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years, and subject also to the agreement of the national authority concerned. Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations.
- For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment
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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.
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