POST CONTEXT/POST SUMMARY:

SHAPE is the strategic level command responsible for the planning, preparation, conduct and execution of NATO operations, missions, activities and tasks as directed by North Atlantic Council in order to achieve the strategic objectives of the Alliance.

The Support Directorate directs monitors and co-ordinates the implementation of Integrated Resource Management (IRM) activities and staff functions at all levels of command across Allied Command Operations (ACO).

J1 Division is responsible for ensuring capable workforce and personnel directives, and management across ACO.

The ACO Workforce Policy Office is responsible for the development of all policies related to the administration and management of the NATO International Civilian Personnel within ACO to include the correct determination of the individual's legal status in accordance with applicable international treaties.

The Staff Officer (ACO Workforce Policy) assists in developing and implementing workforce policies, manages civilian deployment, provides guidance on allowances and pension issues, and oversees ACO-specific insurance management.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

The incumbent's duties are:

• Conduct research and interpret information to strategically develop and promulgate ACO Workforce and Personnel Policies, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and long-term HR strategies;


• Serve as the focal point for creating and implementing civilian policy related to deployment on Council-approved Operations and Missions;


• Author and update key directives on civilian deployment and management under NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations (NCPR);


• Provide strategic guidance to ACO Civilian Human Resources Managers (CHRM) on pre-deployment training and distinct aspects of HR management functions;


• Liaise with ACO entities to ensure comprehensive civilian deployment strategies, including equipment, training, insurance, and administration;


• Review and process deployment requests, and draft necessary policy-related correspondence;


• Ensure compliance and negotiate terms for ACO-specific official travel and deployment insurances;


• Advise on and resolve ACO and staff insurance issues, and calculate travel insurance premiums;


• Supporting the Office head, act as the primary advisor on workforce policy issues, contributing to policy assessments and revisions;


• Assist in evaluating and ensuring the accuracy of classification proposals and civilian job descriptions during organizational restructuring and new recruitment campaigns;


• Provides cross-functional strategic advice on workforce and personnel matters, positioning themselves as a key contributor to defining the evolution of ACO Workforce and Personnel strategies;


• Committee Participation: Various Joint Consultative Board (JCB) and Advisory Panel on Administration (AP) Working Groups - Member / Representative / Contributor.

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 deployments in support of military operations and exercises, and/or TDY assignments, both within and without NATO boundaries up to 30 days.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Essential

Professional/Experience

• At least two years of experience in developing and implementing workforce and personnel policies, particularly within a military or international organization;


• Extensive experience in drafting documents, reports and summaries.

Education/Training

• University Degree in human resources management, business administration, law, social sciences, or related field, public administration, accounting, finance, management 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.

Language

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

Desirable

Professional Experience

• Proven experience in developing HR strategies for large international organizations;


• Familiarity with NATO workforce policy, regulations and procedures;


• Good knowledge of the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations (NCPRs);


• Experience in an international military headquarters or international organization.

ATTRIBUTES/COMPETENCIES:

Personal Attributes

• Must be able to work autonomously within the constraints of applicable policies and directives, with supervisory review and guidance provided by the Office head. The incumbent must be tactful and able to express themselves clearly and persuasively both orally and in writing. Must demonstrate sound judgment when dealing with requests from ACO commands and requests for allowances and pensions for which SACEUR is the decision-making authority, in accordance with NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations (NCPRs) and the Pension Scheme Rules. Acts as the final arbitrator for granting invalidity pensions in ACO;


• Must be a team player able to work harmoniously in an international environment and adapt to changing environments, tasks, responsibilities, or people. Requires little supervision. Must have good health, stress tolerance, and the ability to work long hours when required.

Professional Contacts

Daily contact with ACO workforce and personnel staff to provide information. Liaises with NATO HQ to resolve workforce and personnel policy issues. Acts as the primary ACO representative for official travel insurance requirements and resolves related concerns. Represents ACO on various JCB and AP Working Groups. Coordinates with the NATO Pension Unit and ACO Financial department on pension and tax adjustment payments.

Contribution To Objectives

• Implements policies and procedures related to civilian staff involvement in Councilapproved operations and missions. Supervises the administration of insurance policies and ensures compliance with allowances and invalidity pension regulations. Provides advice on pension interpretation to ACO CHRMs, staff, and pensioners;


• Prepares courses and conducts seminars for ACO CHRMs on allowances. Monitors and ensures compliance with legislation and regulations related to the administration of civilians supporting missions. Assists in developing procedures and policy within their area of expertise. Supports efficient recruitment, administration, and management of civilian employees. Provides advice and guidance on policies and procedures that influence the employment, conditions of service, and welfare of military and civilian personnel at each
  ACO Command and theatre headquarters.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervisory duties: Dependent on requirements may be required to direct and supervise the work priorities of an ad-hoc or permanent team within the functional area.

REMARKS:

• Duration of contract: Serving staff members will be offered a contract according to the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations (NCPR). Newly recruited staff will be offered a definite duration contract of three years normally followed by an indefinite duration contract;


• The salary will be the basic entry-level monthly salary defined by the NATO Grade of the post, which may be augmented by allowances based on the selected staff member’s eligibility, and which is subject to the withholding of approximately 20% for pension and medical insurance contributions;


• 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;


• 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;


• Applicants who prove to be competent for the post but who are not successful in this competition may be offered an appointment in another post of a similar nature, which might become vacant in the near future, albeit at the same or lower grade, provided they meet the necessary requirements;


• We believe that all people are capable of great things. Because of this, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all of the criteria listed within this job description.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A NATO CIVILIAN POST AT SHAPE:

Applications are to be submitted using NATO Talent Acquisition Platform (NTAP) (https://nato.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobsearch.ftl?lang-en). Applications submitted by other means (e.g. mail, e-mail, fax, etc) are not accepted.

More information to be found on these links:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoP9YmLG7k8;


• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FIWZGpLHUM.

Shortlisted candidates will be requested to provide original documentary evidence and a set of copies supporting statements in their applications. Appointment is subject to obtaining a NATO Secret security clearance and a medical certificate.

Remarks

• Only nationals from the 32 NATO member states can apply for vacancies at SHAPE;


• Applications are automatically acknowledged within one working day after submission. In the absence of an acknowledgement please make sure the submission process is completed, or, re-submit the application;


• Qualified redundant staff of the same grade interested in this post should inform this office, via their HR/Personnel Office by not later than vacancy’s closing date;


• 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.