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Head, Audience Research Team

🔍 Belgium

New
📁
Public Relations
📅
250273 Requisition #

1.         SUMMARY

NATO’s Public Diplomacy efforts serve a vital function within the Alliance by communicating its purpose and priorities to audiences worldwide. In fulfilling this role, the Public Diplomacy Division (PDD) actively strengthens NATO’s public image, thereby fostering trust in and support for the Alliance. The Division also acts as coordinator for strategic communication activities across all NATO civilian and military bodies and commands.

The Data Insights and Information Threats Section sits within the Public Diplomacy Division. It comprises the Information Environment Assessment (IEA) Unit, Audience Research Team, and a team managing strategic communications policy and NATO’s approach to counter information threats. The Audience Research Team delivers a rolling suite of planned and reactive commissioned qualitative and quantitative research, as well as open-source analysis. The commissioned data are a component element of the  Data Insights and Information Threats Section’s IEA reporting, and are also used by NHQ StratCom to inform campaign planning and evaluation metrics by tracking public sentiment across the Alliance and other nations, identifying priority audiences and refining subject-specific messaging and channel strategy.

The incumbent is responsible for leading PDD’s Audience Research Team within the Data Insights and Information Threats Section, managing the projects and other team activities related to capability development, budget and procurement.

 

 

2.         QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

The selected candidate must:

  • possess a university degree from an institute of recognised standing in communications, social science, political science, statistics or a field relevant for the role;
  • have at least 5 years’ relevant experience conducting international qualitative and quantitative research studies across a range of methodologies;
  • have at least 3 years’ experience in managing or leading teams, overseeing the financial, administrative, project and human resource aspects of teams;
  • have a proven track record of capability development, including collaboration with other teams, institutions and organizations; and publication of research findings;
  • have experience carrying out research to inform audience, content and channel strategy; as well as experience leading research in complex environments and policy areas;
  • have an extensive delivery record briefing and presenting to senior audiences, as well as drafting recommendations, research papers, and reports;
  • be able to work under pressure, adhering to strict deadlines and quality assurance;
  • possess excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, and experience of data visualization and database tools, and survey scripting platforms;
  • possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other.

 

DESIRABLE

The following would be considered an advantage:

  • experience carrying out international research on the topic of defence and security;
  • experience conducting analysis of open-source research data;
  • development and delivery of subject-specific training;
  • knowledge of NATO structure, and communication and policy priorities;
  • professional qualifications in research and/or membership of professional associations;
  • management training certification(s).

 

 

3.         MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

People management

Lead and oversee the daily work of Audience Research Team. Be responsible for management of research analysts, consultants and seconded Subject Matter Experts. Plan and monitor objectives, ensure a cohesive and cooperative working environment. Provide feedback and guidance to the team. Encourage initiative, support creativity and the development of staff. Provide in-depth mentoring, coaching and training opportunities and be available to offer guidance at critical moments. Ensure that all staff under their responsibility are clear on Organisational, Divisional, Directorate and Section objectives. Provide regular and fair feedback on performance, informally as appropriate and via the HQ Performance Review and Development (PRD) system.  Identify possible development and mobility opportunities for team members. Promote integrity, professionalism and accountability through a sound and inclusive leadership culture.

 

Project management

Manage the end-to-end delivery of all commissioned and open-source studies, maintaining responsibility for all analysis, reporting and data visualization. Ensure the management of all contracted suppliers, including onboarding, rolling coordination, and sign-off of deliverables. Ensure data integrity and accuracy in all research materials, reporting and analysis.

 

Planning and Execution

Develop an annual research programme to be delivered by the Audience Research Team, in line with communications and policy priorities outlined in NATO’s annual communications strategy. Ensure research programming meets information requirements to support NATO Information Environment Assessment reporting and analysis, as well as communications planning, content development and evaluation.

 

Stakeholder management

Work closely with the IEA Unit and StratCom Policy Team within the Section to integrate audience research into the communications planning process and embed it into the NATO Communications Strategy. Coordinate with PDD’s press and media, campaigns and digital communications, and public diplomacy teams. Develop and maintain professional relationships across the civilian and military staff to promote research best practices, data sharing, and deduplication of commissioning. Work with partner institutions to exchange expertise and conduct reciprocal briefings. Maintain and strengthen relationships with the research community, particularly national counterparts, industry bodies, NGOs and think tanks.

 

Knowledge management

Manage preparation of all research materials cleared for public release, as well as preparation and dissemination of reports and briefings for senior NATO leadership, Allied committees and working groups, national counterparts and military chain of command. Coordinate closely with the IEA Unit to synthesise audience research findings with insights gathered from web, print, broadcast and social media, to develop coherent, structured reporting.

 

Information Management

Liaise with IEA Data Scientist and Analysts to establish a data repository and refine data visualization functionality.

 

Expertise Development

Keep abreast of industry developments relevant to Audience Research, including application of innovative research techniques and analytical methodologies. Provide clear insight and recommendations to civilian and military staffs from multiple disciplines, including those directly responsible for developing, analysing and evaluating information and communications products. Ensure that this expertise is translated into effective analysis and reporting. Use sound political judgement when making recommendations on adjusting NATO’s communications based on insights gathered based on robust research.

 

Financial management

Plan and manage the financial resources allocated to the Audience Research Unit on both an annual and multi-year basis. Plan and manage all research procurement in line with NATO Financial Regulations. Establish research procurement frameworks for use across NATO entities. Contribute to co-funding of NATO grants concerning research and analysis.

 

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

 

 

4.         INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The incumbent carries out their duties under the overall direction of the Head, Data Insights and Information Threats Section. The incumbent maintains a close working relationship with other staff in the Section, members of the Public Diplomacy Division, as well as counterparts in other Divisions, other NATO entities and in Allied Delegations and capitals.

 

Direct reports:  1.

Indirect reports: N/a.

 

 

5.         COMPETENCIES

The incumbent must demonstrate:

  • Achievement: Creates own measures of excellence and improves performance;
  • Analytical Thinking: Sees multiple relationships;
  • Clarity and Accuracy: Monitors others' work for clarity;
  • Conceptual Thinking: Applies learned concepts;
  • Customer Service Orientation: Makes things better for the customer, addressing underlying customer needs;
  • Impact and Influence: Uses indirect influence;
  • Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation;
  • Teamwork: Solicits inputs and encourages others

6.         CONTRACT
Contract to be offered to the successful applicant (if non-seconded): Definite duration contract of three years; possibility of renewal for up to three years, during which the incumbent may apply for conversion to an indefinite duration contract.
 
Contract clause applicable:
In accordance with the contract policy, this is a post in which turnover is desirable for political reasons in order to be able to accommodate the Organisation's need to carry out its tasks as mandated by the Nations in a changing environment, for example by maintaining the flexibility necessary to shape the Organisation's skills profile, and to ensure appropriate international diversity.
The maximum period of service foreseen in this post is 6 years. The successful applicant will be offered a 3-year definite duration contract, which may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years. However, according to the procedure described in the contract policy the incumbent may apply for conversion to an indefinite contract during the period of renewal and no later than one year before the end of contract.
If the successful applicant is seconded from the national administration of one of NATO’s member States, a 3-year definite duration contract will be offered, which may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years subject also to the agreement of the national authority concerned. The maximum period of service in the post as a seconded staff member is six years.
Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Régulations.
 
NOTE: Irrespective of previous qualifications and experience, candidates for twin-graded posts will be appointed at the lower grade. Advancement to the higher grade is not automatic, and will not normally take place during the first three years of service in the post.
Under specific circumstances, serving staff members may be appointed directly to the higher grade, and a period of three years might be reduced by up to twenty four months for external candidates.  These circumstances are described in the IS directive on twin-graded posts.
 

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

Before you apply to any position, we encourage you to click here and watch our video providing 6 tips to prepare you for your application and recruitment process.

Do you have questions on the application process in the system and not sure how to proceed? Click here for a video containing  the information you need to successfully submit your application on time.

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.
 
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.
 
For information about the NATO Single Salary Scale (Grading, Allowances, etc.) please visit our website. Detailed data is available under the Salary and Benefits tab.

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