Assistant Secretary General, Operations job in #Brussels, #Belgium/ #NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

1.SUMMARY

The mission of the Operations Division of the International Staff is to prepare NATO for the defence of Alliance territory, to respond to crises at home and abroad, and to strengthen the capabilities of partners. The Operations Division advances the core tasks of the Alliance (Collective Defence, Crisis Management, Cooperative Security) by providing political oversight of NATO’s crisis management activities and operations, situational awareness, advance planning, well-exercised and executed crisis response, and outcome-oriented defence and related security cooperation programmes.

The Assistant Secretary General (ASG) reports directly to the NATO Secretary General. S/he is the Secretary General’s primary advisor on crisis response operations. S/he is a member of the Secretary General’s senior management team and will be responsible for managing the OPS Division (approximately 75 staff), and have oversight of the NATO Situation Centre. S/he will be supported in this task by a Deputy, and two Directors.

There are eight ASGs, all of whom report to the NATO Secretary General and are also accountable to the North Atlantic Council. As a member of the Secretary General’s senior management team, each ASG is also expected to contribute to overall policy development and delivery, including in areas beyond their direct set of responsibilities.

2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The candidate must:

• have at least 15 years of experience working on political-military issues, preferably at a large security policy and defence-related national or multi-national organisation;
• hold an advanced university degree in a relevant field;
• have experience working in a multilateral environment or an environment with a variety of stakeholders from multi-cultural backgrounds;
• have a proven track record of experience in progressively senior leadership positions and significant professional experience in managerial positions;
• have extensive people management experience and the capacity to lead, motivate and engage diverse and multidisciplinary teams;
• have extensive experience in the integration of complex political and military issues, ideally to include the politico-military aspects of crisis management or military operations;
• have a proven track record in facilitating high-level dialogue and consensus;
• be an innovative, strategic, conceptual thinker and be able to design and use complex influencing strategies to fulfil the required objectives;
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): VI (“Proficiency”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other.

DESIRABLE

The following would be considered an advantage:

• experience in leading change management projects/programmes;.
• experience in theater operations.

3.ACCOUNTABILITIES

The ASG/OPS will deal directly with NATO members and partners, as well as other International Organisations, on issues relating to operations and missions. S/he will work extensively with other NATO bodies, other International Staff Divisions and the International Military Staff, employing cross-cutting approaches on topics relevant to the core areas.

The ASG/OPS is responsible for chairing several senior NATO committees, including the Operations Policy Committee, the Council Operations and Exercise Committee and the Deputies Committee, as required. Experience of facilitating high-level dialogue and consensus is therefore essential. The incumbent will also be called upon to represent the Secretary General at high-level meetings and will speak in public fora and to the Press on behalf of the Secretary General. There is a substantial representation function associated with this appointment.

In her/his role as manager of the Division, the incumbent will lead and oversee a large team of international staff working under the direct supervision of Heads of Sections. Specifically, s/he will aim to achieve the following objectives:

• Vision and Direction: Develop, communicate and implement a vision for the future development of the Division to face the challenges of the future in an ever-changing environment. Champion change and federate the teams around common objectives, ensuring that vision guides their mid and long-term programme of work. Act as a role model of inclusive leadership and promote integrity, resilience and innovation;
• Talent attraction: Ensure recruitment panels for posts in her/his Division are fair and objective; make selection recommendations with the best interests of the Organization in mind;
• Talent development: Adhere to sound management principles with staff, and provide in-depth mentoring, coaching and training opportunities; be available for guidance at critical moments; ensure that all divisional staff are clear on organisational and divisional objectives; provide regular and fair feedback on performance, informally as appropriate and via the performance management system;
• Performance Management: Participate in a collegial review of performance at divisional level to discuss possible development and mobility opportunities for individuals, identify high potentials and help ensure common standards are applied in the process across the Organization; make contract renewal or conversion recommendations with the best interests of the Organization in mind;
• Continual improvement culture: Actively contribute to the improvement of the Organizational policies and processes; Participate in leadership learning and development Programmes, related to the successful execution of her/his duties.

4.COMPETENCIES

Candidates must demonstrate the following:

• Achievement: Demonstrates decisiveness based on solid considerations and trade-offs.
• Change Leadership: Champions change.
• Conceptual Thinking: Creates new concepts.
• Developing Others: Provides in-depth mentoring, coaching and training.
• Impact and Influence: Uses complex influence strategies.
• Initiative: Plans and acts for the long term.
• Leadership: Communicates a compelling vision.
• Organizational Awareness: Understands underlying issues.
• Self-Control: Stays composed and positive even under extreme pressure.

5. KEY CHALLENGES

Key challenges facing the successful candidate for ASG/Ops during the next 3 years will likely include:

• Developing policy advice on current and future NATO operations and missions, including NATO Mission Iraq, NATO’s maritime operations, NATO’s KFOR operation, and NATO’s participation in the Global Coalition to Defeat Isis;
• Shaping and helping ensure the successful delivery of a NATO training and capacity building  support to a range of partners, including countries aspiring to NATO membership;
• Ensuring that NATO’s crisis response planning and decision-making is sufficiently robust and agile to be able to meet current and future challenges from all strategic directions.

! In addition to the application form, candidates are expected to submit a Word or pdf document summarising their views on the key (and possible other) challenges, and how they would address them if selected for the position. This essay will be evaluated as part of the longlisting assessment (see full instructions on how to apply below “7.Recruitment Process”).

6. CONTRACT

The successful applicant will be employed for an initial period of 3 years. Exceptionally, there may be possibility of a one-year extension thereafter.

7. RECRUITMENT PROCESS:

Applications must be submitted using one of the following links, as applicable:

• For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal (for more information, please contact your local Civilian HR Manager);
• For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment

Selection of candidates for NATO posts is based upon the merit principle.

Candidates are requested to attach their essay to their application on Taleo, by latest 7 November, 23h59 (CET Brussels time).

The title of the attachment must include the vacancy reference 210752 and the words “Key challenges”.

Shortlisted candidates will have to be available for the selection process, which is expected to take place in the week of 13 December, in Brussels, Belgium.

COMPENSATION: candidates shortlisted will be provided with a simulation of the financial package for this post.

Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate) and approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser.