Deputy Director and Head of the Defence Planning Section

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), aimed at harmonising and assisting national defence planning efforts and capability delivery by Allies.

The Directorate works in close cooperation with national delegations and staff in national capitals on all business relating to defence planning, 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, and should not be confused with, operational planning which focuses on planning for the conduct of actual operations.)

In their capacity as Deputy Director of Defence Planning, they second the Director and are responsible for much of the day-to-day running of the Directorate. In their capacity as the Head of the Defence Planning Section, they lead the Section and are required to provide coordinated advice on matters pertaining to the NDPP. This includes overseeing the interpretation, analysis, advice and reporting on NATO countries' plans and policies for their armed forces, specifically in the context of defence planning.  They are responsible for ensuring that the workflow of the Directorate is efficient, effective and results in the timely delivery of high-quality and fully-staffed products. This includes the coordination of outputs as well as the allocation and management of taskings to action officers in the Directorate.

They 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 that 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.

KEY CHALLENGES

The Defence Planning Directorate, in collaboration and synchronisation with the other NATO Defence Planning Staffs,  will continue to work at a high tempo on very significant issues that command the attention of Senior Leaders within the various staffs and the NATO Military Authorities.  This cycle of the NDPP is ground-breaking and truly transformational, with the Political Guidance for Defence Planning 2023 (agreed by Defence Ministers in February 2023) putting the requirements set by the Deterrence and Defence of SACEUR’s Area of Responsibility (DDA), and its associated family of plans, front and centre of defence planning.  This will place significant demand on Allies in turn when translated into targets.  However, defence planning should not be merged with operations planning: they remain two distinct disciplines. NATO will need to have the capabilities required to cover the full range of missions, both in- and out-of-area as enshrined in the Level Of Ambition, and promote longer-term transformation to maintain the Alliance’s technical edge.

The complexity of this NDPP cycle, a renewed Defence Investment Pledge agreed by Allied Heads of State and Government at the Vilnius Summit, and the turnover of several key staff means that there is a high managerial workload.  Furthermore, the Director’s absence to visit Allied capitals on a frequent basis requires the Deputy to assume his duties and represent him on a regular basis within the NATO HQ, while also ensuring the routine coordination of Directorate outputs.

With this as background, how would you approach the challenges of managing the NDPP timelines and workload, implementing and monitoring the Vilnius Defence Investment Pledge, coordinating with other staff entities and across the International Staff, while ensuring that the Directorate retains a high-calibre and well-motivated workforce?  What further challenges do you anticipate in the next three years?

2.QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

The incumbent must:

· possess a degree from an institute of recognised standing in a relevant field for the post or have attended a NATO or national military staff college;

· have excellent knowledge of national and NATO defence planning processes;

· have national or international experience (preferably both) in the field of force planning, evidenced through previous posts which they have held;

· have 10 years of experience in progressively responsible positions, in defence security issues;

·out of which 5 years in team management and coordination, preferably deriving form having held senior level posts related to these duties in a governmental or international working environments;

· significant and relevant experience in  the preparation of military (land, maritime, air or joint force) force plans and associated financial, manpower and procurement planning;

·be aware of the political, economic and financial considerations underlying national and NATO defence plans and policies, and also understand the relevant military and technical aspects;

·be able to communicate clear, logical, persuasive and succinct arguments in oral and written form;

·possess the minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other;

·be willing and flexible to travel frequently (approximately 30% of working time).  

DESIRABLE

The following would be considered an advantage:

· a graduate degree (Masters’ or Ph.D.) in relevant fields of study;

· a good understanding of economics and data analysis;

· have experience at a strategic command (three star or above) and/or joint operational level headquarters (three star or above);

·have a recognised warfare qualification;

·good knowledge of NATO affairs, including the organisation, basic rules and processes, and major topics of the day.

3.MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Expertise Development

Participate in and coordinate the analysis of NATO military requirements and assess these against the corresponding national plans of member nations of the Alliance. Participate in and coordinate the review of the Defence Planning Capability Survey. Be responsible for and coordinate the analysis of defence and security capabilities and subjects of a military nature (land, maritime, or air force), including the interpretation, analysis and assessment of the military force plans of selected NATO countries. Assume responsibility for the analysis of force structures and financial resources devoted to defence and the political, legal and constitutional aspects which influence their policies and plans. Oversee assessments and reports on significant changes to Allies' plans and suitable draft Capability Target packages. In support of the Director, oversee day-to-day management of the Directorate and lead coordination on matters pertaining to defence planning within the Division.

Stakeholder Management

Keep abreast of relevant political, military and financial developments in Alliance nations through regular meetings and contact with relevant stakeholders. Participate in meetings with national authorities of NATO countries (often outside Brussels) on their current and projected plans in the context of NATO's collective defence planning. Attend, and chair as necessary, meetings of the Defence Policy and Planning Committee, in particular for the multilateral examinations of national defence efforts and the staffing of policy papers related to collective defence planning. Attend meetings of the North Atlantic Council and other committees when required. 

Policy Development

Support the drafting of policy papers and reports related to the NATO Defence Planning Process. In accordance with the agreed procedures for defence planning, assist and coordinate the preparation and examination of, as well as the development of, NATO Capability Targets by providing expert knowledge and analysis of the implications of these at all stages of their development.

Knowledge Management

Draft reports on the analysis of NATO military requirements and their assessment against corresponding national plans of member nations of the Alliance, and other force planning subjects as the need may arise, including for the North Atlantic Council and the Defence Policy and Planning Committee. Facilitate inter-directorate information sharing, including with a view to transferring knowledge across DPP and with key interlocutors.

Representation of the Organisation

Represent DPD in various settings, including giving presentations at conferences, workshops and seminars; supporting dialogue with national civil and military officials.

Project Management

Manage projects and/or programmes as directed by the Director of Defence Planning. Advocate for and lead change management projects in collaboration with colleagues and stakeholders. Continuously monitor and analyse work methods and the resulting products to ensure s/he meets customer expectations.

Financial Management

Determine and verify the correct use of financial resources. Ensure that proper financial procedures are followed, validate the necessary financial documents, follow up on activities to ensure that financial files are correctly processed.

People Management

Carry out all Performance Review and Development responsibilities in accordance with NATO procedures and timelines. Set objectives and establish priorities, taking corrective action when necessary. Encourage the professional development of all Section staff. Coach and mentor Section members. Manage the Section’s staff to achieve overall objectives in a fair and respectful manner, aiming at maintaining motivation, team spirit and job satisfaction and taking into account that staff are frequently required to work long hours. Be responsible for the Voluntary National Contributions working in the Directorate.

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The incumbent is responsible to the Director of Defence Planning for the performance of all areas of responsibility set out above; in the execution of their duties, establish and maintain working relationships with other elements of the International Staff and the staffs of the NATO Military Authorities, national delegations and liaison officers and, through delegations, with the authorities of NATO. They will deputise for the Director, as required.

Direct reports: 13

Indirect reports: 9

5.COMPETENCIES

The incumbent must demonstrate:

·         Achievement: Creates own measures of excellence and improves performance;

·         Change Leadership: Personally leads change;

·         Conceptual Thinking: Clarifies complex data or situations;

·         Developing Others: Gives feedback to encourage long-term development;

·         Impact and Influence: Uses indirect influence;

·         Initiative: Plans and acts up to a year ahead;

·         Leadership: Positions self as the leader;

·         Organisational Awareness: Understands organisational climate and culture;

·         Self-Control: Manages stress effectively.