Political Advisor (POLAD)
🔍 United Kingdom
- 📅
- 250613 Requisition #
OPEN TO NATIONALS OF NATO MEMBER STATES ONLY
Post Number: OMC GXAX 0010
POST CONTEXT
Allied Maritime Command is the Maritime Theatre Component Commander delivering 360 degree maritime focussed awareness and connectivity while planning and commanding the full range of maritime operations.
The Command Group directs, co-ordinates and prioritises the planning and execution effort, and provides direction and guidance as required.
The Office of the Political Advisor provides the Commander and wider Command Group with the relevant Politico-Military advice on all matters that could impact the Maritime Domain.
The Political Advisor is the COM’s principal senior advisor on politico-military and diplomatic issues that affect the planning and conduct of operations and the day to day management of both operational and framework roles of the HQ. He is supported by two Pol-Mil Staff Officers in the provision of relevant political advice to the command group and staff on the planning and conduct of operations, exercises and framework tasks.
DUTIES
The incumbent's duties are:
· Advise the Commander and the Command Group, on NATO policy and political issues and processes related to all operations.
· Evaluate military operations planned or contemplated by the HQ MARCOM and advise the Commander on the political ramifications of those operations.
· Support the Staff in understanding NATO policy and political issues and processes related to the operation.
· Prepare written and verbal advice and proposals on subject related to the operation as required.
· Attend and, as required, provide political advice at the Commander’s Decision Briefs.
· Attend and provide political advice to the Maritime Coordination Board and other Command-level Boards.
· Provide advice to the Commander when interacting with the outside world (e.g.: media releases, visits, conferences preparation, drafting of operational documents).
· In the absence of the Deputy Pol-Mil SOs, attend and provide political advice to Working Groups supporting Command-Level Boards.
· As a key non-executive member of the Command Group, participate in all major policy and planning initiatives, providing information and advice on a wide range of politico-military issues in direct support of Command policy formulation and decision-making.
· Advise the Commander on political perspectives and foreign policy positions which have an impact on the mission of the Maritime Command.
· Collect and analyse information on politico-military issues in the HQ MARCOM Area of Functional Responsibility.
· Provide information, briefings and think pieces on trouble spots, including political developments, matters affecting security and stability, local governments, international organization activities as required by the Commander.
· Coordinate policy matters concerning the Maritime Command that require political and/or military decisions with Maritime Command senior staff and liaison officers, as well as staff from ACO Headquarters, International Organizations (IOs) and Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), as well as governmental and embassy officials as required.
· Establish and maintain relationships with the key political actors within NATO (SHAPE, NATO HQ) and outside NATO (Countries, IO and NGO).
· In cooperation with N9, devise Pol-Mil strategies for dealing with newly acceding or Partners’ countries and advise the Command Group on their implementation; manage relations with nations within the framework of the PfP, Mediterranean Dialogue (MD), Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) and Contact Countries.
· Play a key role in preparing the Commander for personal meetings with Heads of State, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence, Parliamentarians and other senior government and defence officials representing Member, Partner, MD, ICI and Contact Countries. Ensure timely and effective visit preparations by providing the Commander with politico-military updates.
· Review and comment on drafts of Commander’s speeches, media briefs, and position papers for public dissemination.
· Represent the HQ MARCOM at NATO meetings, committees, boards and working groups as required, and at international meetings and conferences as necessary.
· Submits observations in his/her area of expertise and contributes to the Lessons Learned process.
· Provides specific country experience and knowledge to COM/COS. Distributes laterally and vertically to POLADs information in respect of all affairs of interest. Interfaces with UN, EU, OSCE, NAC, IMS, SHAPE representatives, if necessary.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND ADDITIONAL DUTIES
The employee may be required to perform a similar range of duties elsewhere within the organisation at the same grade without there being any change to the contract.
The incumbent may be required to undertake operational deployments and/or TDY assignments both within and without NATO's boundaries for up to 183 days in any period of 547 days.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Essential Professional Experience
International relations
Political sciences and civics is the study of government and political principles or practice. The study of the rights and duties of the citizens are included here.
Skill Level (Initiate or influence)
Has defined authority and accountability for actions and decisions within a significant area of work, including technical, financial and quality aspects. Establishes organisational objectives and assigns responsibilities. Influences policy and strategy formation. Initiates influential relationships with internal and external customers, suppliers and partners at senior management level, including industry leaders. Makes decisions which impact the work of employing organisations, achievement of organisational objectives and financial performance. Has a broad business understanding and deep understanding of own specialism(s). Performs highly complex work activities covering technical, financial and quality aspects. Contributes to the implementation of policy and strategy. Creatively applies a wide range of technical and/or management principles. Absorbs complex information and communicates effectively at all levels to both technical and non-technical audiences. Manages and mitigates risk. Understands the implications of new technologies. Demonstrates clear leadership. Understands and communicates industry developments, and the role and impact of technology in the employing organisation. Promotes compliance with relevant legislation. Takes the initiative to keep both own and colleagues' skills up to date.
Experience
A minimum of 15 years professional experience in government, military and/or academia in the fields of politics, international relations, international security, law, public policy or related fields. That experience should include working in policy development with NATO or national diplomatic offices and policy offices. Experience of NATO and of maritime policy issues in NATO is highly desirable.
Essential Education/Training
Master’s Degree or equivalent in political science, public administration, international relations or related discipline and 6 years post-related experience.
Essential Language
English: SLP 4444 (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)
NOTE: The work both oral and written in this post and in this Headquarters as a whole is conducted mainly in English.
Desirable Professional Experience
Understanding and writing of diplomatic correspondence.
Experience with Peace Support Operations (PSO) and related organisations.
Experience with NATO or national naval and maritime affairs, with the development of maritime policy and strategy.
Desirable Education/Training
Basic and Higher (MA, LLM, JD or PhD) University Degrees in political science, international relations, law, public administration or related disciplines.
The study of government and political principles or practice. Subjects dealing with rights and duties of the citizens are included.
Desirable Language
English: SLP 4444 (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing)
French: SLP 3333 (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing)
Russian: SLP 2222 (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing)
Arabic: SLP 2222 (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing)
ATTRIBUTES/COMPETENCIES
• Personal Attributes: The incumbent must display analytical thought and demonstrate independent judgement in the development of policy and strategies for the MARCOM, in fields of strategic-political-military interest and concern. He/she must be able to provide high-level advice and briefings to a senior level on key strategic-political-military issues, to serve in the formulation of Command policy. Diplomacy and tact are essential in interacting with high-level officials in a multi-national environment. The incumbent must have strong communication skills, both oral and written. Listening and persuasiveness are crucial to the incumbent's effective participation in policy and planning initiatives, in advising the Command Group, in coordinating policy matters internally and with other agencies and government staffs. Problem analysis skills and critical thinking underlies the incumbent's contribution to the development of effective strategies and formulation of policy in his/her own area of competence.
• Professional Contacts: MARCOM's representative in certain international, political organisations and in international meetings and conferences as directed by MARCOM. Maintains personal contacts, on behalf of MARCOM, with a wide range of related international bodies, including the EU, UNHCR, ICRC, Atlantic Treaty Association, NATO Parliamentary Assembly and leading think tanks.
• Defence, military and diplomatic community. Executes duties and functions requiring frequent internal and external high-level contacts, including co-ordination and negotiation with senior civilian and military authorities. Routinely interacts with senior NATO authorities and military personnel up to the OF-9 level. Examples of such contacts include:
a. With a variety of staff involved in political activities throughout NATO at all professional levels to provide advice, guidance, and informational/decision briefings. These include Political Advisors at grades up to A-7, at the OF-5/4 level, and POLAD Officers in grades up to A-4.
b. With senior staffs in other Divisions within the headquarters, from the working level (OF-4) up to and including ACOSs (OF-5/6) and the Command Group (OF-8). The incumbent shall frequently and routinely be expected to participate in flag-level meetings and contribute directly to flag-level decision making within the Headquarters.
c. With senior national representatives from Ministries of Defence or Foreign Affairs during discussions of political situations.
d. With senior personnel from NATO nations and external agencies. The incumbent will frequently be called upon to provide informational or decision briefings to senior staff of other organisations. Participation in such meetings routinely ranges in rank to OF-7, and occasionally occurs at even higher levels.
• Contribution to Objectives: The incumbent ensures his Headquarters’ credibility before the nations and within the Command Structure by ensuring that his Commander understands the political situations in the theatres of operation and in areas of developing concern. This includes contribution to mission objectives by proactive identification of trends and advice on dealing with potential problems. Failure to have a fully global perspective on developing situations would have a negative effect on preparation of the headquarters to deal with emerging threats or crisis. The successful accomplishment of these tasks will directly contribute to the Commander’s ability to prepare to exercise C2 functions in accordance with his operational priorities.
• Supervisory Responsibilities: Manage the work programme and provide direction and guidance to the Deputy POLAD, to include provision of policy guidance, assigning and reviewing work, maintaining and adjusting work schedules, and assessing performance.
CONTRACT
The successful candidate will receive a three-year definite duration contract which may be followed by an indefinite duration contract. NATO-serving staff members will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations (NCPRs).
The basic entry-level monthly salary for a NATO Grade 22 in the UK is £9,641.39 (tax free),
HOW TO APPLY
HQ MARCOM uses NATO Talent Acquisition Platform.
https://nato.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en and search for vacancies within HQ MARCOM.
Essential information must be included in the application form. Each question should be answered thoroughly. Expressions such as “please see attached CV”, or invitations to follow links to personal webpages, are not acceptable, and will be disregarded. Application form must be filled out in English.
Applications are automatically acknowledged within one working day after submission. In the absence of an acknowledgment please make sure the submission process is completed or, re-submit the application.
Shortlisted candidates invited to the interview phase, will be requested to provide, where applicable, copies of Educational and Vocational training certificates.
Current and past civilians working for NATO or any Coordinated Organization, shall indicate their last grade and step held (next to the job title) and specify the name of employing NATO body or Coordinated Organization.
Qualified redundant staff of the same grade interested in this post should inform this office, via their own HR/Personnel Office by not later than the vacancy’s closing date.
EMPLOYMENT PRE-REQUISITES
Candidates are invited to submit their application if:
· They are a national of a NATO member country.
· They are over 21 and under 60 years of age at the time of taking up their appointments. Appointments of definite duration may be offered to candidates of 60 years of age or more, provided the expiry date of the contract is not later than the date at which the candidate attains the age of 65.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A NATO security clearance of the level required by the position, and approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Advisor are essential conditions for appointment to this post. Applicants are not required to possess a clearance at the time of applying, but must be eligible for a clearance. HQ MARCOM will take action to obtain the required security clearance from the successful candidate’s national authorities.
Candidates must meet all the essential qualifications in order to be considered qualified. Should no qualified candidates be found, candidates not possessing all the essential qualifications may be considered. However, they will be appointed at a lower grade and their employment contract will stipulate the conditions under which the grade attached to post can be granted and the employment contract confirmed.