Officer, Operational Energy and Engineering
🔍 Belgium
1. SUMMARY
The Defence Policy and Planning (DPP) Division leads work in the NATO International Staff on the defence-related aspects of the Alliance’s fundamental security tasks at the political-military level. The Defence Policy and Capabilities Directorate in DPP addresses a wide range of issues related to Alliance deterrence and defence policies and strategies, including the policy aspects of Alliance capabilities.
The Division’s Defence Enablement and Logistics Section provides timely, high quality political-military advice to NATO and national authorities related to the capabilities, resources and services that enable Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR)’s Area of Responsibility through reinforcement and sustainment, including through collective logistics.
The Officer – Operational Energy and Engineering provides expert advice of both a political-military and technical nature in NATO’s development of policy, strategy, concepts, doctrine and other guidance related to Operational Energy and Engineering. The Officer’s primary task is to support NATO and Alliance efforts in maintaining a sustainable and interoperable Operational Energy Supply Chain, including liquid fuels, in support of the enablement of SACEUR’s AOR and Alliance military activities. This includes supporting the development and management of technical energy and energy-handling standards that ensure interoperability in this functional area, as well as advising on military engineering related issues that require political-military advice or handling. They also act as the DPP subject matter expert on matters related to energy security from a defence policy and planning perspective. They primarily support the Logistics Committee and its sub-ordinate technical bodies, particularly the Operational Energy Committee, but also support work related to senior NATO committees, Agencies, and other relevant entities.
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 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.
2. QUALIFICATIONS
ESSENTIAL
The incumbent must:
- have a university degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field from an institute of recognized standing;
- have at least 7 years of proven professional experience in operational energy/petroleum logistics and standardisation;
- have sound experience in policy development and coordination;
- possess sound knowledge and expertise on the administrative and technical management and development of energy/petroleum standardization, petroleum refining and related industrial processes;
- possess sound knowledge and expertise on the governance, operations and resources related to the NATO fuel supply chain, and energy security matters;
- have experience in planning and managing scientific and technical meetings;
- be familiar with the Alliance’s political and military consultative processes and structures and the key defence and security policy issues on its agenda;
- have strong verbal and written communications skills;
- have sound experience working with multiple and diverse stakeholders;
- demonstrate good political judgement;
- possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (‘Advanced’) in one; I (‘Beginner’) in the other;
- be prepared to travel and to work outside normal office hours.
DESIRABLE
The following would be considered an advantage:
- knowledge of energy/petroleum programmes and activities, including energy transition planning, in Allied nations;
- experience in a position with similar responsibilities in a national administration, military, or regional/international organisation;
- a post-graduate university degree in a relevant field.
Policy Development
Play a leading role in the development and implementation of policy, strategy, concepts, doctrine and other guidance in close cooperation with nations, NATO Military Authorities (NMAs) and the NATO Standardisation Office (NSO), and monitor implementation. Analyse how current and future operational energy systems and engineering, capabilities, procedures, and standards impact and support NATO’s deterrence and defence posture. Analyse and advise on how operational energy/petroleum and engineering policies, concepts and doctrine will support the implementation of NATO’s Logistics Action Plan. Take into account lessons identified and learned from the strategic environment (including NATO military activities) in the development and implementation of policies, concepts, doctrine, and standards.
Expertise Development
Provide political-military and technical advice, including studies and assessments, on operational energy and engineering issues, with a focus on NATO’s Operational Energy Supply Chain, including liquid fuels (i.e., NATO’s common funded fixed bulk fuel infrastructure and deployable fuels handling equipment). Manage the development, coordination, and publication of energy/petroleum NATO standardisation agreements (STANAGs). Stay well informed on current developments and apply this knowledge to support the Section as a whole. Regularly exchange information with key stakeholders, such as the International Military Staff (IMS), Strategic Commands, and national representatives. Organise and address priorities, requirements, and tasks. Identify and advise DPP leadership and key stakeholders about urgent issues.
Stakeholder Management
Support the NATO Operational Energy Committee, including acting as its Civil Co-Chair as required, and provide staff support to its six sub-ordinate expert groups. Provide expert advice as required on energy/petroleum related matters to the Council, and relevant NATO bodies such as the Logistics Committee, Defence Policy and Planning Committee, Resilience Committee, Political Committee, and Resources Policy and Planning Board. Provide support on energy/petroleum aspects of the NATO Defence Planning Process.
Develop and maintain effective professional relationships with a range of relevant stakeholders, including Allied and partner representatives in NATO HQ, particularly from the relevant committees, and with representatives from relevant authorities in capitals, and counterparts in the International Military Staff, the Strategic Commands, NATO agencies and other appropriate bodies, and relevant regional/international organisations
Project Management
Develop and implement energy/petroleum-related projects and plans to meet NATO requirements. Provide advice on the NATO fuel supply chain, including on the NATO Pipeline System and associated facilities, follow-up plans for its restoration, modernisation and improvement. Analyse and follow-up on incident reporting affecting NATO petroleum facilities. Contribute to the development and implementation of the NATO Logistics Action Plan, including through the Operational Energy Committee’s programme of work. Provide advice to other relevant NATO bodies on engineering, energy security and transition issues.
Representation of the Organization
Represent and support the Defence Enablement and Logistics Section as its Delegated Tasking Authority for Operational Energy in activities and meetings of the NATO Standardisation Staff Group and the NATO Committee for Standardisation. Represent DPP at the NATO Support and Procurement Agency and at the Central Europe Pipeline System Programme Board and support its activities as appropriate. Represent DPP in relevant work led by other IS and IMS organisations. Participate in conferences, seminars and other expert or public engagements.
Knowledge Management
Prepare reports, briefing materials (including memoranda), press materials, and presentations for delivery by senior officials. Organise and manage high-level internal/external conferences and meetings. Exercise Delegated Tasking Authority for energy/petroleum to ensure timely publication of STANAGs. Report on developments in own area of responsibility that apply to Section’s broader efforts. Channel information to key players in NATO in order to influence strategy and opinions.
Perform any other related duty as assigned.
4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS
The Officer reports to the Head, Defence Enablement and Logistics Section. They maintain close working relationships with other DPP sections and with other International Staff Divisions as necessary, as well as with the IMS, the Strategic Commands and their relevant subordinate formations, and NATO Agencies. The incumbent also maintains close working relationships with representatives from national authorities, including Ministries of Defence and civil standardisation bodies, other regional/international organisations, and representatives from industry and the commercial sector as appropriate.
5. COMPETENCIES
The incumbent must demonstrate:
- Achievement: Creates own measures of excellence and improves performance;
- Analytical Thinking: Sees multiple relationships;
- Change Leadership: Expresses vision for change;
- Impact and Influence: Uses indirect influence;
- Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation;
- Organisational Awareness: Understands organisational politics;
- Teamwork: Solicits inputs and encourages others.
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.