Staff Officer (Budget & Finance Modernization Lead)

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 leading the transformation and modernization of financial processes and systems within ACT.

Principal Duties:

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of current budget and finance processes, identifying areas for improvement and potential bottlenecks
• Coordinate ACT integration with other financial modernization initiatives led by NATO HQ, ACO and other NATO entities and bodies, ensuring consistency and interoperability across the entire organization
• Develop and execute a plan for the modernization of financial systems, including the selection, integration, and deployment of new tools and technologies
• Research, evaluate, and select the most appropriate COTS tools and technologies to support the organization's financial modernization efforts
• Provide expert recommendations and justifications for the selection of new tools, ensuring alignment with NATO policies
• Collaborate with various stakeholders across the organization, including HRM and STRATMAN, to ensure effective integration with HRM systems and Resource Planning information
• Design and implement a new budget planning and reporting system, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and requirements
• Streamline reporting processes between the ACT and NATO HQ, improving data accuracy and reducing manual efforts
• Drive change management initiatives within BUDFIN and across ACT to facilitate the successful adoption of new processes and systems
• Develop and implement effective communication strategies, training programs, and support mechanisms to facilitate the successful adoption of new processes and systems
• Monitor and report on the progress of financial modernization initiatives, identifying and mitigating potential risks and challenges
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including senior management, to ensure ongoing support and alignment with organizational priorities
• Manage the budget allocated for financial modernization initiatives, ensuring cost-effectiveness and adherence to financial controls

Essential Qualifications / Experience:

• University Degree  in finance, accounting, business administration, economics, public administration or related discipline  and 2 years function related experience, or Higher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training  in that discipline leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 4 years post related experience.
• Relevant experience in financial management, with a strong focus on budget planning, financial analysis, and process improvement.
• Proven track record of successfully leading and implementing financial modernization projects.
• Solid knowledge of financial systems, tools, and technologies, with the ability to evaluate and select the most appropriate solutions.
• Solid understanding of HRM systems and processes, with experience in integrating financial and HRM data to enable effective workforce planning and budgeting.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to develop and execute comprehensive plans, manage budgets, and mitigate risks.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify areas for improvement and develop innovative solutions.
• Strong leadership and change management skills, with the ability to drive the adoption of new processes and tools across the organization.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Experience in developing and delivering training programs and support mechanisms to facilitate the successful adoption of new processes and systems.

 Language:

English – SLP 3333 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

Desirable Qualifications / Experience:

• Experience working with NATO or other international organizations, with a strong understanding of their financial processes and regulations.
• Experience with the Centralized NATO Automated Financial System (CNAFS).
• Previous experience working in international finance.
• Experience working in an international / military environment.
• Understanding of cybersecurity best practices and their application in protecting sensitive financial data.
• Experience with data visualization tools and techniques, with the ability to present complex financial information in a clear and compelling manner.
• Educational background in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field.

 Attributes/Competencies:

Personal Attributes:

• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changing priorities, situations, and technologies, while maintaining a positive attitude and strong work ethic
• Resilience: Capacity to persevere through challenges, setbacks, and high-pressure situations, while maintaining focus and motivation
• Critical thinking: Ability to analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives, and make sound decisions based on data and insights
• Creativity: Capacity to generate innovative ideas, and develop unique solutions to address financial challenges
• Collaboration: Strong teamwork skills, with the ability to foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that values diverse perspectives
• Attention to detail: Meticulous and thorough approach to work, ensuring accuracy and completeness
• Effective communication: Ability to articulate ideas, insights, and recommendations clearly and persuasively, both verbally and in writing, to a wide range of audiences
• Capable of working harmoniously in a multi-national environment.
• Must be able to work effectively with military and civilian personnel.
• 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. 
• Must have the ability to effectively coordinate with other agencies, suppliers and colleagues.

Contribution To Objectives:

• By driving the transformation and modernization of financial processes and systems, this position will contribute to increased efficiency, accuracy, and transparency in budget planning, reporting, and decision-making.  The successful implementation of new tools, technologies, and processes will enable the organization to better manage its growing portfolio, optimize resource allocation, and ensure effective integration between financial and HR systems and Resource Planning information.  Moreover, by coordinating with other financial modernization initiatives across NATO, the Budget and Finance Modernization Lead will help position ACT to respond to demand signal from Allied Nations and other NATO Entities and Bodies.  Ultimately, this position will strengthen ACT’s financial management, enabling it to more effectively pursue its strategic objectives.

 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 G15 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).