JOB DESCRIPTION

Post Context
ACT contributes to preserving the peace, security and territorial integrity of Alliance member states by leading, at Strategic Command level, Warfare Development required to enhance NATO’s posture, military structures, forces, capabilities and doctrines.

The Capability Development Directorate (CAPDEV) comprises two Divisions—Requirements and Capabilities. The Directorate supports SACT in his Capabilities Requirement Authority (CRA) role. It is responsible for a holistic through lifecycle Capability Development approach that infuses innovation and transformative efforts that are an integral part of the Warfare Development. This includes responsibilities for elicitation, development, capture and collection, quality review, traceability and visibility of capability requirements.

The Requirements Division executes requirements management for NATO capabilities. It develops capability requirements, provides traceability and quality assurance of capability requirements, performs gap analysis and supports interoperability and implementation options across the DOTMLPFI spectrum.

The Federated Interoperability Branch supports and enables the delivery of coherent and interoperable capabilities by developing and verifying the associated capability specifications in order to ensure Day Zero interoperability of people, processes, and technologies.

Within the FI Branch, the Principle Interoperability Delivery Manager (Section Head) will lead the professional work and bring effective middle management to an enlarged workforce that is responsible for developing and maintaining a continuous testing environment. CWIX, as NATO’s most important ICT and C2 capability interoperability event is a key component of this and will be supplemented by other activities, exercises, OPEX and innovation activities

Principal Duties:

• Leadership: Will bring leadership to an expanded workforce of interoperability managers, engineers and analysts. Set clear objectives and provide guidance to achieve interoperability testing goals for ICT and C2 capability at the Command, Enterprise and the wider organizational level. This may include deputizing for higher-grade staff, as required.
• Resource Management: Manage budgetary and human resources efficiently to ensure the optimal performance of the workforce in its execution of IV&V testing activities.
• Operations Oversight: Oversee the day-to-day operations to ensure ICT and C2 capability testing is compliant with NATO and ACT policies, standards, and best practices.
• Performance Evaluation: Establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure the effectiveness of the continual ICT and C2 capability IV&V test environment, monitoring progress and making improvements as necessary.
• Risk Management: Identify, report and mitigate potential risks associated with interoperability testing projects, ensuring continuity of essential functions.
• Strategic Planning: Advise on the prioritization of ICT and C2 capability IV&V testing initiatives, aligning with NATO’s C3 Policies, Vision, Strategic Objectives, Deliverables and Outcomes.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Foster robust collaborations with NATO Enterprise, member nations, academic institutions, industry partners, and other stakeholders to cultivate strong relationships, facilitate effective cooperation, and harness expertise and resources in support of ICT and C2 capability testing initiatives.
• Communication: Effectively deliver strategic briefings and communicate with ACT leadership, subordinates, and external stakeholders. Convey complex information and expectations in a clear and concise manner.
• Resource Allocation (Section Level): In the context of budget management, the Principle Interoperability Delivery Manager has a direct influence on resource allocation. Will make decisions on resource distribution to support ICT and C2 capability IV&V testing initiatives.

Essential Qualifications / Experience:

• University Degree in human resources management, business administration, law, social sciences, or related field, public administration, information technology, information systems engineering, quality engineering 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.
• Eight years of demonstrated experience in progressively more responsible roles in developing and testing ICT, C2, Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDTs), Cybersecurity, Data Science, etc.
• Six years of demonstrated experience in leadership roles, encompassing budgetary and human resource management, strategic planning, and fostering a culture of excellence.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as the leader of a multi-national and multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrated understanding of, as well as experience in applying and managing, digital technologies (such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics, and cybersecurity) within the context of defence, security, or international organizations.
• Proven ability to develop and implement strategic plans, set objectives, and monitor performance, ensuring alignment with organizational missions and objectives.
• Experience in developing and implementing policies, guidelines, and standards related to IV&V in accordance with industry best practices.
• Must possess excellent analytic skills, the ability to summarize large amounts of written material and to communicate clearly and effectively in English

Language:
English – 3333 – (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

Desirable Qualifications / Experience:

• Master degree in the field of international relations or security.
• Proven track record in leading C3 interoperability initiatives, including the successful implementation of digital technologies, processes, and strategies within a complex organization or government agency.
• Previous experience in a military operational context, preferably within a multi-national/multi-ethnic environment.
• Previous experience at an International Organization HQ, NATO Joint Command, NATO HQ or MOD.
• A history of effective collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders pertinent to NATO IV&V efforts as they relate to Digital Transformation, such as NATO member nations, partner organizations, industry leaders, etc.

Attributes/Competencies:

Personal Attributes:

• Strategic Thinking: The candidate must possess a high level of strategic thinking and the ability to formulate long-term plans and vision for digital transformation that align ACT C3 interoperability efforts within NATO’s DT at the Alliance and Enterprise level.
• Adaptability: Given the evolving nature of technology and defence challenges, the candidate must be adaptable and receptive to change, able to adjust strategies and approaches as needed to meet dynamic requirements.
• Sound Judgment: Strong decision-making skills, discretion, and the capacity to make informed and timely decisions that consider the potential impact on ACT’s objectives and reputation.
• Tact and Diplomacy: The candidate should exhibit diplomacy and tact, especially when dealing with diverse stakeholders, recognizing the sensitivities of international and intergovernmental relations.
• Collaborative Leadership: The ability to lead by collaboration, promoting teamwork and inclusivity, and effectively managing relationships within multicultural teams.
• Problem Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a results-oriented approach that allows for the identification and resolution of complex issues.
• Clear Communication: Exceptional communication skills, including the capability to convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders in a clear and understandable manner.

Managerial Responsibilities:

• The post of Principle Interoperability Delivery Manager (Section Head) requires a significant degree of direct supervision over the work of others. This position will be responsible for leading a dedicated team of IV&V requirements managers, engineers and analysts, and ensuring that the team’s efforts align with NATO and ACT C3 interoperability objectives.

Professional Contacts:

• Negotiate with internal and external stakeholders to achieve the objectives of Digital Transformation.

Contribution To Objectives:

• The work of C3 interoperability impacts ACT’s DT initiatives and objectives at various levels of the organisation. The extent of this impact is both direct and indirect. Principle Interoperability Delivery Manager (section Head) contributes significantly to the organization’s objectives by strategically guiding C3 interoperability test activities and ensuring a year-round test environment, ensuring efficient resource utilization, enhancing operational capabilities, and fostering cooperation with various stakeholders. Their work plays a pivotal role in upholding ACT’s DT efforts in support of NATO’s DT and MDO visions.

Security Clearance

The successful applicant will be required to apply for and receive a NATO SECRET Security Clearance prior to final confirmation of contract and commencement of employment.

Contract

This position is linked to a specific NATO project and is for a limited duration of 3 (three) years only.

Serving NATO International Civilian staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations. Newly recruited staff will be offered a three year definite duration contract.

Notes for Candidates

The HQ SACT web site gives full details on the eligibility criteria and application processes to be adopted by all candidates. However, candidates should particularly note:

Please answer each of the pre-screening questions completely in English. Expressions such as: “please see attached CV, please see annex, please see enclosed document, etc” are not acceptable; this is a cause of immediate rejection of the application.

Particular attention should be given to Education and Experience section of your application form, which should be populated with details of your career to date and educational achievements and certifications as they relate to your application.

The candidature of NATO redundant staff at grade G17 will be considered with priority.

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.

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.

This vacancy will close on 20 October 2025 @ 17:59hrs (EDT)/11:59hrs (CEST).

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements