Technician (CAX Database)

Due to the significant volume of recruitment being undertaken by Joint Force Training Centre (JFTC) the processing time for applications will take longer than normal. Once you have submitted your application please ensure that you have received a TALEO/NTAP acknowledgement email, which is your proof that your application has been submitted.  After this you will be contacted in due course by our recruitment team with further information on the status of your application, but please note that this may not be for several weeks after the vacancy notice closes.

Technician (CAX Database)
If you are an experienced Technician (CAX Database) looking to join a dynamic team working in a multi-national environment, JFTC would be interested in hearing from you.

Post Context

The Joint Force Training Centre supports Warfare Development, contributing to concept development and maintenance of joint doctrine and standards while coordinating the integration of experimentation, capability development, and interoperability to improve NATO’s interoperability, capabilities, and operational effectiveness.
The Training and Exercise Enabling Division (TEED) enables training and exercises, and warfare development events. Likewise, the Division provides the basis for the Joint Force Training Centre’s engagement with Allied Command Transformation Doctrine validation activities. The Division also maintains the JFTC’s analysis and lessons learned capability for both training/exercise/experimentation and institutional improvement.
The Command, Control, Communications & Computers and Modeling and Simulation (C4/MS) Branch ensures availability of the JFTC technical platform in support of the JFTC core business and Programme of Work (POW), to include communications and exercise support systems at JFTC and in support of the execution of static and distributed as well as single- and multi-echelon training, exercises, tests and experiments.
The Modeling and Simulation Section (MS) Section is responsible for Computer Assisted Exercise (CAX) and simulation support to combined and joint, single and multi-echelon training and exercises in a static or distributed environment for tactical and operational-level headquarters, staffs, and forces across the full spectrum of Alliance operations; and, supports testing and experimentation. This includes planning for the maintenance and improvement of the technical environment, and the delivery of the CAX infrastructure.
The Technician (CAX Database) directly supports the delivery phase of all training events and exercises requiring CAX support, working closely with other members of the M&S team and other staff supporting exercise and training delivery in Training Division.

Reports to: Section Head (M&S) - OF-3

Principal Duties
The incumbent’s duties are:
a. Creates, administers and modifies CAX databases for CAX training events supported by the JFTC.
b. Responsible for the effective operation of the databases.
c. Participates in the database development process in coordination with the event planners.
d. Liaises with scenario developers and the training audience for parameter input to ensure database accuracy.
e. Maintains effective CAX databases of units and performance parameters.
f. Supports configuration of the database building tools with relevant data.
g. Trains database tool operators in the use of tools.
h. Supports database review and validation sessions with exercise planners, scenario developers and force providers.
i. Co-ordinates with the Systems Engineers – CAX Planners the conduct of database validation sessions.
j. Responsible for timely database delivery.
k. Monitors the simulation during the CAX event and implement coordinated modifications.
l. Maintains a library of CAX databases of units and performance parameters.
m. Assists in the documentation of CAX databases as required by training audiences and exercise control staff.
n. Co-ordinates with the Systems Engineers – CAX Planners on the usage of new releases of simulations.
o. Co-ordinates with principal developers of C2 systems and System Engineer – CAX Planners at other NATO bodies and NCIA on the evolution of C2 data initialisation requirements and C2 data interfacing constraints.
p. Co-ordinates with the service providers on database requirements and tool developments
q. Provides CAX planning support to event project teams.
r. Provides support to CAX/CIS before, during, and after training exercise as required.

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
a. Flexibility Clause:  In order for the command to deal with emergent requirements the incumbent may be required to perform other related duties as directed (in particular, the incumbent can expect to work as a member of Working Groups, Project Teams, etc. for defined periods of time).
b. Annual TDY Requirement:  The incumbent may be required to undertake Temporary Duty (TDY) and/or travel within and outside NATO’s boundaries for up to 65 days per year.
c. This post has been identified as a candidate to fill a Crisis Establishment post as part of tiered reinforcement plans.
d. Represents the JFTC in NATO and International Modelling and Simulation related working groups’ meetings, conferences, workshops and events.
e. Attends training courses/seminars to maintain functional and professional competence in the field of Modelling and Simulation, Information Technology and Management.

Personnel are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the current NATO Code of Conduct agreed by the North Atlantic Council (NAC), and thus display the core values of integrity, impartiality, loyalty, accountability, and professionalism.
The work is normally performed in a Normal NATO office working environment.
Normal Working Conditions apply.
The risk of injury is categorised as No Risk.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Professional Experience
1. At least two years’ experience in database administration.
2. 1-2 years’ experience in relational data base management concepts such as normalization, SQL and systems and in common Internet/Intranet applications (e.g. SMTP e-mail, Web servers, proxy servers, TCP/IP suite, Web browsers, DNS).
3. 1-2 years’ experience in common Internet protocols and management and diagnosis software (ftp, telnet, etc.) and simulation concepts for time representation, entity representation, data management and interoperability and the design of simulation verification and validation processes.

Education/Training
Higher Secondary education and intermediate vocational training which might lead to a formal qualification with 2 years experience, or Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training  leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 4 years post related experience.

Language
English - SLP 3322 - (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 QUALIFICATIONS

Professional Experience

1. Specific Experience: Knowledge of NATO IS and networks.
2. Two years’ experience  in using constructive military simulation systems, preferably Joint Conflict And Tactical Simulation, Joint Theatre Level Simulation and Virtual Battle Space  models.
3. Knowledge of military functions, units, systems and modes of operation at the tactical and operational level of warfare.
4. Previous relevant experience in an international organisation, preferably NATO.

Education/Training
To meet the organisational requirements, the incumbent attends training courses/seminars to maintain or achieve functional qualifications in the subject field of service.

Attributes/Competencies
Personal Attributes: The incumbent must be able to work as a member of a team with broad technical skills. A pro-active approach will be important to assess, identify and address problems with the modelling & simulation environment before they critically impact on users. Incumbent will require a capacity to analyse the training requirements and translate those requirements into modelling & simulation requirements. The incumbent must be able to work under pressure and still produce high quality results. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with good briefing skills.
Professional Contacts: The incumbent is responsible for the coordination and cooperation of work with the other section of the branch, and other divisions of JFTC.
Contribution To Objectives: Indirectly impacts the ability of JFTC staff to achieve overall objectives.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Dependent on requirements may be required to direct and supervise the work priorities of an ad-hoc or permanent team within the functional area.
There are no reporting responsibilities.

Work Environment
The work is normally performed in a Normal NATO office working environment.
Normal Working Conditions apply.
The risk of injury is categorised as No Risk.

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
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 two year definite duration contract as it is Military NU post to be filled temporarily by a civilian.

Notes for candidates
The candidature of NATO redundant staff at grade G10 will be considered with priority.
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.


Notes for NATO Civilian Human Resources Managers
If you have qualified redundant staff at grade G10, please advise the JFTC Civilian Human Resources Manager no later than the closing date.

Recruitment Process
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 sections 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.
When completing the application form using the NATO Talent Acquisition Platform, you will be able to add attachments. One of these attachments must be a copy of the qualification or certificate covering the highest level of education required by the job description. If this certificate is not in one of the official NATO languages, you should include a translation into English.
You should attach only RELEVANT certifications and diplomas to support your application for the given post.

NOTE: 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.

For any queries, please contact the JFTC Recruitment Team at:  civ.recruitment@jftc.nato.int .