Defence Planner (Innovation Integration)
🔍 Belgium
1. SUMMARY
The Defence Policy and Planning (DPP) Division has the lead role on the defence-related aspects of NATO’s fundamental security tasks at the political-military level.
Within DPP, the Defence Planning Directorate (DPD) leads the International Staff (IS) in the conduct of the NATO Defence Planning Process (NDPP), harmonising and assisting national defence planning efforts and capability delivery by Allies.
The NDPP requires close cooperation with national capitals and delegations on all defence planning issues related to NATO, including the analysis of national defence programmes. (Please note that defence planning is usually conducted at national headquarters/Ministry of Defence/General Staff level and is distinct from operational planning which focuses on planning for the conduct of actual operations.)
This post is about facilitating the modernisation and transformation of Allied forces through exploitation of innovative technology into defence capabilities. In this context, the incumbent identifies and translates opportunities arising from emerging and disruptive technologies (EDTs) into NATO capability requirements which should be adopted by national defence forces into their defence plans. The incumbent also supports the IS to leverage rapid advances in the private/civil sector, engages with and advises individual Allies on how they can best direct their efforts to channel rapidly emerging and innovative technological solutions to meet NATO capability requirements, and assess the validity of proposed approaches. In addition, the incumbent will build strong cross-boundary relationships with the Science & Technology Organization and the Innovation, Hybrid and Cyber as well as Defence Investment Divisions of the International Staff, the NATO DIANA Office, and the NATO Military Authorities
The incumbent will work in a Division which considers diversity and inclusion as essential to the way it works. At DPP, Diversity and Inclusion is considered to be as important as our programme of work and the number of staff who support it. DPP is a workplace which values each staff member for their contributions, perspectives and potential. At DPP, staff members feel equally involved in and supported in all areas of the workplace.
2. QUALIFICATIONS
ESSENTIAL
The incumbent must:
- have at least 3 years of national or international experience in the field of developing and/or fielding/applying technology and innovation for the development of defence or dual use capabilities; and/or commensurate experience in working with technology products;
DESIRABLE
The following would be considered an advantage:
- experience in working as a product or programme manager in a technology company;
- experience in working in a government innovation agency or department with a focus on the development of EDTs and identifying commercialisation/defence application pathways for them;
- experience in academic research in the field of EDTs and their application to defence;
- experience in the preparation of military force development plans;
- awareness of the political, economic and financial considerations underlying national and NATO defence plans and policies, and also the understanding of the relevant military and technical aspects;
- being conversant with the organisation, preparation, command and employment of military forces, including their interaction and relationship with Alliance structures;
- a good knowledge of the NATO Defence Policy and Planning Process (NDPP);
- an understanding of the Alliance’s political and military consultative processes and their related policies and procedures.
Policy Development
Contribute to the further development of NATO defence planning policy and procedures particularly in the area of technology identification, development and exploitation. Provide advice to the single and joint service subject matter experts in the Defence Planning Directorate regarding the critical transformation required in the NDPP in the near and long-term, so as to help the military to better leverage rapid advances in the private/civil sector.
Expertise Development
Contribute to the analysis of NATO military requirements with a specific focus on innovative and emerging and disruptive technologies, and assess these against the corresponding national plans of member nations of the Alliance. Be responsible for the translation of cutting-edge technology into practical and cost-effective solutions which can be incorporated into defence planning for adoption by the military.
Stakeholder Management
Keep abreast of relevant political, military and financial developments in Alliance nations through regular meetings and contact with relevant stakeholders. Engage with and advise individual Allies on how they can best direct their efforts to channel rapidly emerging and innovative technological solutions in a military context and harness the best of fast changing capability debates in the more progressive Allies. Build strong cross-boundary relationships with the Science & Technology Organization and the Innovation, Hybrid and Cyber Divisions of the International Staff, Allied Commands Transformation and Operations, the NATO DIANA Office, and with the research and development entities of key Allies individually. Develop and maintain a network of contacts within NATO, including other parts of the International Staff, NATO Military Authorities and national delegations.
Knowledge Management
Contribute to the analysis of NATO military requirements and their assessment against corresponding national plans of member nations of the Alliance, and other subjects dealt with by the Defence Planning Directorate as the need may arise, including for the North Atlantic Council in Defence Minister format and the Defence Policy and Planning Committee. Manage the integration of technology opportunities into the NDPP. Channel information to key players in NATO and influence strategy and opinions. Assist appropriate NATO committees in the development and preparation of documents dealing with the conceptual development of the Alliance’s defence policy.
Project Management
Manage projects and/or programmes as directed by the Director and/or the Deputy Director of Defence Planning Directorate.
Perform any other related duty as assigned.
4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS
The incumbent reports to the Director, Defence Planning Directorate, or their deputy, in case of absence, and coordinates closely with other staff members of the Directorate. The incumbent also works in coordination with the Division and across NATO HQ with the IS (Including the Innovation, Hybrid and Cyber Division and the Defence Investment Division), the NATO Military Authorities and Allied officials, as well as with counterparts in other international organisations. They maintain close working relationships throughout DPP and work effectively with other NATO divisions, in particular with those related to defence planning, the International Military Staff, Allied Command Transformation (ACT), Science & Technology Organisation and the NATO DIANA Office to ensure shared situational awareness, effective staff-level coordination and stakeholder management.
Direct reports: N/a
Indirect report: N/a
5. COMPETENCIES
The incumbent will demonstrate:
- Flexibility: Adapts to unforeseen situations;
- Impact and Influence: Takes multiple actions to persuade;
- Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation;
- Organisational Awareness: Understands organizational climate and culture;
- Teamwork: Cooperates.
7. 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
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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 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.
8. 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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