Staff Assistant (Budget Planning, Reporting & Analysis)

Post Context

ACT contributes to preserving the peace, security and territorial integrity of Alliance member states by leading, at Strategic Command level, Warfare Development required to enhance NATO’s posture, military structures, forces, capabilities and doctrines.

The Command Group provides general support, coordination, management, administrative service and specialist advice to SACT, DSACT and COS.

Chief of Staff (COS) is responsible to SACT and DSACT for the staff activity necessary to execute ACT’s mission. It is the focal point for the implementation of the Commander’s direction and guidance as well as the initiation and co-ordination of all ACT staff efforts.

The Staff Advisory Group (SAG) is comprised of different competencies grouped into several offices (Political Advisor, Legal Advisor, Gender Advisor, Financial Controller, Command Auditor, Communication Branch and Pentagon Liaison). It works under the direction and guidance of COS and provides general staff support, coordination, management, administrative service, and specialists’ advice to SACT.

As part of the Staff Advisory Group, the Office of Budget and Finance (BUDFIN) is the executive agent for ACT in all matters of budget and finance policy and execution. Responsibility includes all matters pertaining to Budget and Finance at HQ SACT, JALLC, JWC, JFTC and subordinate SACT elements (STRE and SEE).

Within the Budget Section, the incumbent is responsible for providing comprehensive budgetary, financial and administrative support to the Budget and Finance Branch, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and procedures while efficiently supporting budget execution and reporting, management invoices, contracts, travel requests, and Command’s assets.

Principal Duties:

• Support the monitoring and execution of budgets, including processing budget transfers, as directed by line management and in accordance with NATO Financial Regulations and Procedures and ACT Directives.
• Provide technical budgetary assistance to staff and subordinate commands as required, under the guidance of the Budget Officer.
• Assist in the preparation and consolidation of budget requirements under the guidance of the Budget Officer, providing technical assistance to Fund Managers and Budget Manager Representatives.
• Assist in the preparation and maintenance of budgetary delegations, as directed by the Budget Officer.
• Contribute to the development and preparation of ACT Periodic Financial and Budgetary Reporting by compiling information from Headquarters staff, subordinate entities, and other sources, as directed.
• Assist in the maintenance of statistical analysis of financial accounts and short and medium range financial forecasts, under the guidance of the Budget Officer.
• The incumbent has day-to-day Legal authority and responsibility to execute budgetary transactions in line with NATO and ACT policies.
• The incumbent will execute Budget transactions in line with Purchase Orders, Transfer Requests and other budget and financial instructions.
• This post holder is expected to make decisions on routine budgetary matters, referring unusual or highly complex matters to management.

Essential Qualifications / Experience:

• Higher Secondary education and completed higher vocational training  in finance, accounting, business administration, economics, public administration or related discipline  leading to a formal technical or professional certification with 3 years function related experience, or Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training  in that discipline leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 5 years post related experience.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in financial management, budgeting, accounting, or related fields.
• Familiarity with budgeting, budget execution, financial planning, and analysis processes.
• Knowledge of accounting principles, financial regulations, and best practices in financial management.
• Experience in collaborating with various departments and stakeholders to ensure effective financial management and budgeting processes.
• Proven ability to interpret Policy and Directives on finance issues and implement accordingly.
• Experience in ensuring adequacy and compliance with administrative, regulatory, and procedural requirements.
• Experience with financial software and tools, such as ERP systems, Oracle financial/planning applications, and Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with contributing to the development and preparation of periodic financial and budgeting reporting.
• Proven ability to provide technical budgetary assistance to staff and relevant stakeholders.

 Language:

English - SLP 3322 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

Desirable Qualifications / Experience:

• Experience and knowledge of NATO Financial Regulations.
• Knowledge of NATO financial directives.
• Experience with the Centralized NATO Automated Financial System (CNAFS).
• Previous experience working in international finance.
• Experience working in an international / military environment.
• Knowledge and/or experience working with international accounting and auditing standards.

Attributes/Competencies:

Personal Attributes:

• Capable of working harmoniously in a multi-national environment.
• Must be able to work effectively with military and civilian personnel.
• Knowledge of computerized financial systems.
• Personal qualities of sound business judgement, good character, ethics, tact, and adaptability for working in a finance & accounting office.
• Incumbent must be in good health willing to work flexible hours as required and willing to travel occasionally.

Professional Contacts:

• Liaise effectively with military and civilian personnel up to and including the rank of OF5 / A5.
• Must have the ability to effectively coordinate with other agencies, suppliers and colleagues.

Contribution To Objectives:

• The Budget and Planning Assistant contributes to the organization's objectives by providing essential support in financial management, budgeting, and planning processes, ensuring the efficient allocation and utilization of resources, and maintaining compliance with financial regulations and approved budgets.

Security Clearance

The successful applicant will be required to apply for and receive a NATO SECRET Security Clearance prior to final confirmation of contract and commencement of employment.

Contract

• This position is linked to a specific NATO project and is for a limited duration of 3 (three) years only.
• Serving NATO International Civilian staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations.  Newly recruited staff will be offered a three year definite duration contract.

Notes for Candidates

The HQ SACT web site gives full details on the eligibility criteria and application processes to be adopted by all candidates.  However, candidates should particularly note:

Please answer each of the pre-screening questions completely in English. Expressions such as: “please see attached CV, please see annex, please see enclosed document, etc” are not acceptable; this is a cause of immediate rejection of the application.

Particular attention should be given to Education and Experience section of your application form, which should be populated with details of your career to date and educational achievements and certifications as they relate to your application.

The candidature of NATO redundant staff at grade G12 will be considered with priority.

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.

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.

This vacancy will close on 18 December 2024 @ 17:59hrs (EDT)/11:59hrs (CEST).