Officer, Innovation Unit

🔍 Belgium

New

📁: Security

📅   : 241660 Requisition #

1. SUMMARY

The Innovation, Hybrid & Cyber (IHC) Division provides a coordinated approach for NATO to the emerging security challenges of the 21st Century. It serves as NATO HQ’s focal point for policy development on issues linked to innovation and Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDTs), Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy, cyber, hybrid, energy security, security of critical undersea infrastructure, as well as the impact of climate change on security.

The Division also promotes security cooperation on these challenges through a variety of different programmes, with Allies and with Partner nations, as well as with industry, academia and with other International Organisations (IO).

The Innovation Unit is responsible for driving forward innovation, helping to ensure that the Alliance understands the policy and practical implications—both opportunities and risks—of Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDTs).

The Unit helps identify innovation priorities to foster the adoption of emerging and disruptive technologies and protect the Alliance from risks posed in this space. The Unit contributes to eliminating barriers to innovation, whether these are policy or process-related constraints. The Unit has played a key role in the establishment and development of the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) and in support of the NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), and now acts as a key conduit liaising with both entities.

The incumbent supports the Unit Head in the effort of implementing the work of the Innovation Unit. In particular, the incumbent focuses on coordinating staff level efforts across the NATO Enterprise (in particular DIANA and its relation to the NATO Innovation Fund) on innovation. Notably, the Officer prepares documents for committees; drafts inputs for new project proposals, organises events, workshops and seminars and supports the development, monitoring and implementing of projects related to the work on innovation and EDT. The incumbent also supports the grow of NATO’s innovation network.

2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

The incumbent must:

hold a masters’ degree in the field of international security, business administration, or an innovation related science masters’ degree;
have a minimum of 4 years’ work experience in fields relevant for this position in the public or private sectors;
demonstrate familiarity with private sector actors – including start-ups, accelerators, and risk capital – and the role of such actors in dealing with innovation at the strategic level;
be familiar with the strategic issues and security challenges facing the Alliance;
have experience of work with very senior (political) executives in international and/or political organisations;
have excellent drafting skills and experience in preparing background and speaking notes for senior management;
have experience working in a multilateral environment or an environment with a variety of stakeholders from multi-cultural backgrounds;
possess excellent communication skills and the ability to convince senior stakeholders;
possess the following minimum level of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V(“Advanced”) in one; II (“Elementary”) in the other;
be flexible to travel on a frequent basis and to work outside normal office hours.

DESIRABLE

The following would be considered an advantage:

very good understanding and knowledge of the NATO enterprise to assist with the coordination of implementing NATO’s EDT Strategy;
experience in a similar position, with a focus on defence acquisition or security policy and/or international relations, for a national administration or in an international environment, including working experience with academia or government institutions in NATO Member or partner countries;
working knowledge of macroeconomics, trade policies and their applicability to defence and security when merged with emerging technologies;
good understanding of capital markets and how to use financial tools to support innovation efforts.

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Project Management

Prepare and lead studies or evaluations. Develop and manage projects or programmes of work related to innovation or EDT, and liaise and collaborate with other programmes relevant in this field. Be responsible for the development of events, trainings and workshops – including in collaboration with entrepreneurial actors. Ensure the initiatives comply with best practices and international standards. Support the Unit aligning initiatives with Organizational goals. Analyse ongoing and completed projects, seeking ways to improve working practices and procedures within the newly developed frameworks.

Expertise Development

Support the drafting of speeches, reports, briefing materials, and other items for high-level meetings. Apply and expand professional experience in the innovation and technology fields relevant to defence and security issues. Keep abreast of and learn more about opportunities and risks of EDT, including ways to expedite their adoption. Seek out new technology, trends and innovation business models considering wider economic, trade and technological shifts. Analyse the potential of such innovation opportunities within the context of Transatlantic Defence and Security.

Policy Development

Support the development of policy documents to advance the implementation of the Innovation Unit’s work. Contribute to the development and provide input to policy, strategy and conceptual papers developed by NATO staff and Allies on EDT and innovation.

Stakeholder Management

Consult and coordinate closely with other teams in the division, as well as other divisions of the NATO International Staff, the International Military Staff, the Science & Technology Organization, DIANA, the NATO Innovation Fund, NATO Strategic Commands and other NATO bodies and agencies. Work with stakeholders at multiple levels to coordinate delivery of strategic efforts and seek out new opportunities with these NATO actors, the private sector (start-ups, risk capitalists and established tech companies), academia, other international organisations and with NATO partners.

Establish and maintain working relations with national delegations to NATO, including Partner missions, as well as with national officials in capitals responsible for innovation, technology and science issues relevant to defence and security issues. Maintain a network of contacts within NATO and with other International Organisations, academia and research institutes in the field of security-related civil science and technology to better develop and implement projects of common interest.

Knowledge Management

Support the development of articles, briefings and web stories on innovation activities. Provide input to different public documents which are being used in relation to innovation efforts. Support public diplomacy efforts, including on social media, the website and liaise with the NATO Public Diplomacy Division (PDD) in this regard. Organise events, and information days in NATO and partner countries, as directed.

Representation of the Organization

Represent the Unit at conferences, workshops and seminars and present papers, as directed and at the appropriate level.

Perform any other duty as assigned.

4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The incumbent reports to the Unit Head, Innovation. The incumbent develops close working relationships with other sections of the IHC Division, and coordinates with other divisions of the NATO International Staff, the International Military Staff, the Science & Technology Organization, DIANA, the NATO Innovation Fund, NATO Strategic Commands – in particular Allied Command Transformation –, national delegations, the private sector, other International Organisations and academia as necessary.

Direct reports: N/A

Indirect reports: N/A

5. COMPETENCIES

The incumbent will demonstrate the following competencies:

Analytical Thinking: Makes complex plans or analyses.
Clarity and Accuracy: Checks own work.
Conceptual Thinking: Applies learned concepts.
Customer Service Orientation: Takes personal responsibility for correcting problems.
Impact and Influence: Takes multiple actions to persuade.
Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation.
Organisational Awareness: Understands organisational climate and culture.
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.

Contract clause applicable:

This post is required for a limited period to support a project. As employment in this post is of limited duration, the successful applicant will be offered a definite duration contract until 28/02/2028, which may be renewed for a period of up to 3 years if required to support this project and subject to availability of funding.

If the successful applicant is seconded from the national administration of one of NATO’s member States, a definite duration contract will be offered until 28/02/2028, which may be renewed for a period of up to 3 years if required to support this project, subject also to the agreement of the national authority concerned and to the availability of funding.

Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations.

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.

Officer, Innovation Unit

🔍 Belgium

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