Head, Internal Oversight Service

1.         SUMMARY

The Internal Oversight Service (IOS) operates as an Independent Office within the International Staff (IS) and reports directly to the Office of the Secretary General.

IOS covers four key assurance functions:

• Internal Audit: IOS is responsible for the proper functioning of the Internal Audit for the IS and other entities for which the IS offers management and financial support in accordance with its mandate, internationally accepted internal auditing standards and the NATO Financial Regulations. It guarantees the independence of the internal audit function.
• Risk Management:​ IOS provides support and guidance to the risk management process of the IS. This involves the development of a risk management capacity across the IS, the promotion and monitoring of a systematic approach to risk management. Additionally, IOS compiles the IS-level key risks register, which is based on the risk registers generated by IS Divisions and Independent Offices.
• Ethics: the Ethics function intends to promote and maintain a safe and respectful working environment that does not tolerate unethical behaviours. The Ethics Officer is notably in charge of coordinating the IS network of Persons of Confidence, to handle informal complaints related to harassment, Bullying and Discrimination (HBD) and to monitor the HBD policy.
• Fraud:​ IOS is responsible for preventing, detecting, and addressing fraudulent activities. The Service proactively establishes measures to minimize fraud risks, investigates suspected fraud cases, and reports findings to management. Additionally, it increases awareness amongst employees about fraud prevention, ensure and maintain whistleblowing-reporting channels.

These functions are closely intertwined and work together to enhance confidence in the efficiency and effectiveness of NATO IS operations and the achievement of organizational objectives. The Service also provides support and advice directly to the NATO IS Advisory Panel (ISAAP).​ The Head, Internal Oversight Service, reports to the Secretary General, through the Office of the Secretary General. They provide strategic direction for IOS in planning and delivering its activities, ensure that the office delivers value added services to the IS, that it follows best practices and complies with NATO regulations, that its resources are adequate and that its staff are motivated, trusted and benefit from proper training and development.

Key challenges facing the successful candidate for the Head, Internal Oversight Service post will include requirements to:

1.    Ensure that the Service’s work conforms to generally accepted international auditing, investigation, ethics and risk management standards and best practices, within the scope of the IOS Mandate, and developing internal methodology, tools and techniques to ensure excellence in the conduct of the IOS’s work;

2.    Develop audit strategy and oversee the internal audit portfolio to deliver timely, objective and substantive audit reports to the Audit Advisory Panel with a view to support the Secretary General, the IS and, as appropriate, to other NATO bodies, in protecting their interests and achieving their objectives;

3.    Further develop a NATO IS risk management culture and support the regular update and review of IS key Risk Register by IS senior management so that it becomes an integral part of the management process and ensure that all divisions are able to identify the key risks, an evaluation of the nature and extent of those risks, and implementing controls to mitigate these risks;

4.    Support the further implementation of a culture of ethics, by continuing to promote a safe and respectful working environment and actively engaging with leadership and staff;

5.    Proactively establish measures to prevent and detect fraudulent activities. Ensure that all cases of alleged misconduct, fraud, malfeasance, mismanagement, waste of resources, abuses, or other violations of rules are and fully investigated within a reasonable time frame. Ensure liaison with relevant authorities as necessary.

6.    Ensure that the reporting of internal oversight activities is complete, clear, concise, constructive, objective, accurate and timely. Monitor and review the adequacy and effectiveness of actions taken as a result of those activities and engage with stakeholders to make sure they are implemented throughout the International Staff.

As part of this application, you are kindly requested to attach a MS Word document summarizing your views on these 6 key challenges and explain how you would address them if selected for the position. Please limit yourself to maximum 2 A4 pages into total.

The post holder may be required to travel occasionally and work beyond standard office hours when required. 

Selection of candidates for NATO posts is based upon the merit principle. Candidates are requested to attach their essay on the key challenges to their application on Taleo, by latest 07/ 09/2025

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

Selective assessment is expected to take place at the end of September 2025. 

Final Assessments are expected to take place in Brussels, Belgium, in November 2025.

2.         QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

The incumbent must: 

• possess a university degree in risk management, auditing, public administration, law or a related field;
• have at least 10 years of relevant experience in risk management, internal audit and/or ethics and risk management in public or private sector entities comparable in terms of size and complexity to the NATO International Staff, out of which at least 5 years in team management and coordination;
• have a proven track record as a senior manager in audit/oversight functions in an international organization or at a national public sector level;
• have a good knowledge of the latest methodologies, requirements and developments in the audit, investigation, risk management and ethics fields in the international community;
• demonstrate strong drive for teamwork, diversity and customer focus and the ability to establish and maintain effective and constructive working relations in a highly political environment with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
• demonstrate tact, discretion and diplomacy when dealing with staff sensitive issues;
• have a proven ability to provide clear and relevant written and oral advice, including communication of complex concepts and situations or delicate issues to non-specialist readers;
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; and III (“Intermediate”) in the other.  

DESIRABLE

The following would be considered an advantage: 

• be a Certified Internal Auditor;
• be a CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner);
• experience in using, monitoring or auditing an Enterprise Resource Planning software (which is Oracle in the case of NATO IS);
• work experience in government or international/ intergovernmental organisations;
• an advanced degree, postgraduate studies, or equivalent level, in the field of internal audit or risk management;
• knowledge of NATO, its organisation and decision-making process;
• a record of active participation in financial scholarship, including publications on financial/audit and risk management related issues relevant to NATO. 

 3.         MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Vision and Direction

Support setting priorities and objectives in alignment with the strategic direction of the Alliance. Help develop, communicate and implement a vision based on well-defined priorities and objectives. 

Organisational Efficiencies

Promote efficient use of existing resources, including by developing and promoting improved business processes, tools and technologies. Perform any other related duty as assigned. 

Planning and Execution

Prepare and implement an annual risk based internal audit programme of work for review, approval and monitoring by the Audit Advisory Panel (AAP).  Select areas for audit through rigorous and consultative risk assessment while maximizing available resources. Provide support to the NATO IS Audit Advisory Panel (including as Secretary to the AAP). Align work plans with the objectives of the Office and ensure coordinated implementation, while retaining the flexibility to meet urgent requests and to adapt to changing Organizational priorities. Plan and execute activities related to ethics and fraud prevention. 

Project Management

Ensure commitment by the IS, including its senior management, to overall risk management and that all staff divisions are able to identify the key risks, an evaluation of the nature and extent of those risks, and implementing controls to mitigate these risks. Ensure risk assessment aspects are considered in the management of specific projects within the Organization. Promote a culture and practices in support of monitoring and evaluation of programmatic activities conducted by the IS. 

Policy Development

Develop internal policies and procedures to ensure that within IOS, the internal audit function is independent from the rest of the IOS activities. Develop the necessary policies and procedures related to the fields of ethics, fraud, internal audit and risk management. Put in place tools and methods to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented policies. 

Stakeholder Management

Analyse and provide advice to the NATO Senior Management and the IS staff on internal controls and risk management matters affecting the Organization. Ensure that the purposes of internal audit, risk management and internal controls are properly understood, implemented and respected. Foster quality and continuous improvement in the Organization’s governance and risk management and internal control processes. Maintain and develop contacts NATO-wide, with other audit offices and with other international organisations. Liaise, as required, with the IBAN (NATO’s external auditor). 

Knowledge Management

Promote information sharing and foster alignment and harmonization of best practices related to IOS programme of work across NATO bodies. Ensure that lessons learned in specific areas are brought to the attention of other parts of the organisation and that experience is not lost.

People Management

Supervise and motivate a multicultural team to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality products, effective working methods, and a good working atmosphere. Within IOS, maintain a motivating and effective workplace. Apply sound management principles with staff, and provide in-depth mentoring, coaching and training opportunities. Be available for guidance at critical moments. Ensure that all staff are aware of Organizational and Office objectives. Provide regular and fair feedback on performance, both informally and through the performance review and development system. 

Financial Management

Be responsible for the optimal use of the resources attributed to the Office. Ensure that the level of resources is adequate and reports on the subject to the AAP. Submit the budget requests for the year to come. Perform any other related duty as assigned.  

4.         INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The Head, Internal Oversight Service reports to the Secretary General, through the Office of the Secretary General. They will maintain personal independence and objectivity, leading a team to provide professional internal audit, ethics, fraud prevention and investigation and risk management services on financial, operational and substantive areas, collectively supporting the overall efficiency and relevance of the Organization. The incumbent works closely with members of the Office of the Secretary General and with senior staff of all Divisions and Independent Offices in the IS as well as throughout NATO bodies. They maintain an efficient network of contacts across other internal audit, fraud prevention and investigation, ethics and risk management offices/functions, NATO-wide and externally, including within relevant international organisations.

Direct reports: 7

Indirect reports: N/a.  

5.         COMPETENCIES

The incumbent must demonstrate: 

• Achievement: Sets and works to meet challenging goals;
• Change Leadership: Personally leads change;
• Conceptual Thinking: Clarifies complex data or situations;
• Developing Others: Provides in-depth mentoring, coaching and training;
• Impact and Influence: Uses indirect influence;
• Initiative: Plans and acts for the long-term;
• Leadership: Positions self as the leader;
• Organisational Awareness: Understands organisational politics;
• Self-Control: Stays composed and positive even under extreme pressure.