SUMMARY:

NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) is an essential and continuous mission, requiring an enhanced Air Command and Control (eAirC2) capability based on open architecture and the federation of multiple systems. To support this urgent need, NATO is establishing an independent Programme Office (iPO) based at NATO Headquarters, Brussels.

The iPO is responsible for the development of an eAirC2 architecture, evaluation of available technologies, the delivery of a Programme Plan, and the implementation of selected technical solutions.

The Budget Officer (BO) is responsible for the preparation, submission, financial management and execution of the iPO’s budget. In addition, they will be responsible for a wide range of issues related to financial, programmatic and budgetary matters. They also assist the managers in carrying out specified projects. They work closely with the Programme Coordinator (PC) to ensure smooth coordination of the
office’s work.

Due to the nature of the work of the iPO, adaptability and availability to perform tasks at short notice and under pressure are major components in this area of work.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Essential

The incumbent must:

• Possess a university degree or an equivalent level of qualification from an institute of recognised standing;


• Have 5 years of education and experience executing similar duties, in particular related to budgeting;


• Be proficient in the use of financial software programmes, databases, and software support packages (ERP or similar, excel etc.);


• Possess financial management expertise aquired in a major international organisation or private sector;


• Possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other.

Desirable

The following would be considered an advantage:

• Project management certification (e.g. PRINCE2);


• Knowledge of NATO structures, practices and procedures, including the NATO Financial Regulations.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Expertise Development

Advise and actively contribute to the broad range of initiatives and projects undertaken within the iPO in coordination with other Independent Offices and Divisions as required. Provide guidance related to budgetary procedures and financial management. Apply and keep up to date the expertise required to advise the iPO on the deployment of business projects, including information systems and other nontechnical projects aimed at supporting the iPO and its activities. Contribute to the development, and ensure implementation, of policies related to budgets.

Financial Management

In close coordination with the PC, iPO managers, and EM / Budget Planning and Analysis, prepare the iPO annual resource requirements as well as dedicated programme funding requests, and execute the approved budget in accordance with applicable procedures. Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as necessary and coordinate the iPO report on target achievement. In coordination with the Office of the Financial Controller (OFC), and in line with NATO Financial Regulations, manage, monitor and track the iPO’s expenditures, including travel, hospitality, training, consultancy and programme funds.

Information Management

Prepare correspondence, documents or reports on iPO-related budget, ICT and security issues. Keep track of all resource decisions affecting the Office. Ensure the accurate and timely distribution and flow of budget information in the iPO.

Knowledge Management

Ensure relevant budget and financial management matters are shared with concerned parties within the iPO. Inform the staff of all procedural and administrative changes, upcoming projects and subjects of interest in a timely fashion.

Develop electronic and paper documentation for the iPO, to facilitate accurate and timely information exchange.

Project Management

In collaboration with the PC, advise on financial related matters. Work on specific projects as required in order to continuously improve services and deliveries. Assume accountability and drive projects/initiatives and iPO budget management to completion. Find timely and creative solutions to problems that meet client and organisational needs. Contribute to new administrative strategies, projects and initiatives.

Contribute to iPO programme planning and execution through responsibility for financial management and cost control.

Stakeholder Management

Serve as iPO internal and external point of contact for all financial, budgetary related issues affecting the Office. Maintain close contact with iPO managers and personnel in order to ensure timely and efficient planning and execution of budget-related processes and procedures. Collaborate with colleagues in similar positions to ensure exchange of information and best practice implementation and diagnose potential organisational issues.

Perform any other related duties as assigned.

INTERRELATIONSHIPS:

The incumbent reports to the Programme Coordinator, and maintains a close working relationship with the Senior and Deputy Programme Managers, and supports all members of the Office. They will be required to work closely with other stakeholders throughout NATO, in particular with Executive Management Division and the Office of Financial Control for budgetary/financial issues, the NATO Office of Resources (NOR), and JISD/NOS.

• Direct reports: N/a;


• Indirect reports: N/a.

COMPETENCIES:

The incumbent must demonstrate:

• Analytical Thinking: Sees multiple relationships;


• Achievement: Works to meet standards;


• Clarity and Accuracy: Checks own work;


• Conceptual Thinking: Applies learned concepts;


• Customer Service Orientation: Takes personal responsibility for correcting problems;


• Empathy: Is open to others' perspectives;


• Impact and Influence: Takes multiple actions to persuade;


• Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation;


• Teamwork: Solicits inputs and encourages others.

CONTRACT:

Contract to be offered to the successful applicant (if non-seconded): Definite duration contract of three years; possibility of renewal for up to three years, during which the incumbent may apply for conversion to an indefinite duration contract.

Contract clause applicable

In accordance with the contract policy, this is a post in which turnover is desirable for political reasons in order to be able to accommodate the Organisation's need to carry out its tasks as mandated by the Nations in a changing environment, for example by maintaining the flexibility necessary to shape the Organisation's skills profile, and to ensure appropriate international diversity.

The maximum period of service foreseen in this post is 6 years. The successful applicant will be offered a 3-year definite duration contract, which may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years. However, according to the procedure described in the contract policy the incumbent may apply for conversion to an indefinite contract during the period of renewal and no later than one year before the end of contract.

If the successful applicant is seconded from the national administration of one of NATO’s member States, a 3-year definite duration contract will be offered, which may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years subject also to the agreement of the national authority concerned. The maximum period of service in the post as a seconded staff member is six years.

Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Régulations.

Irrespective of previous qualifications and experience, candidates for twingraded posts will be appointed at the lower grade. Advancement to the higher grade is not automatic, and will not normally take place during the first three years of service in the post.

Under specific circumstances, serving staff members may be appointed directly to the higher grade, and a period of three years might be reduced by up to twenty four months for external candidates. These circumstances are described in the IS directive on twin-graded posts.

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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Do you have questions on the application process in the system and not sure how to proceed? Click here for a video containing the information you need to successfully submit your application on time.

More information about the recruitment process and conditions of employment, can be found at our website.

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 Pretrained 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.

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. Building Integrity is a key element of NATO’s core tasks. As an employer, NATO values commitment to the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability in accordance with international norms and practices established for the defence and related security sector. Selected candidates are expected to be role models of integrity, and to promote good governance through ongoing efforts in their work.

Due to the broad interest in NATO and the large number of potential candidates, telephone or e-mail enquiries cannot be dealt with. 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.

The nature of this position may require the staff member at times to be called upon to travel for work and/or to work outside normal office hours. The organization offers several work-life policies including Teleworking and Flexible Working arrangements (Flexitime) subject to business requirements.

Please note that the International Staff at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium is a non-smoking environment.

For information about the NATO Single Salary Scale (Grading, Allowances, etc.) please visit our website. Detailed data is available under the Salary and Benefits tab.