- International Staff, NATO HQ
- Brussels, Belgium (Remote)
- Full-time
Ukraine Innovation Officer (2 posts)
- International Staff, NATO HQ
Brussels, Belgium
Full-time
Published:
Application Deadline: March 19, 2025
- International Staff, NATO HQ
Brussels, Belgium
Full-time
Published:
Application Deadline: March 19, 2025
SUMMARY:
The Innovation, Hybrid & Cyber (IHC) Division provides a coordinated approach for NATO to the emerging security challenges of the 21st Century. It serves as NATO HQ’s focal point for policy development on issues linked to innovation and Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDTs), Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy, cyber, hybrid, energy security, security of critical undersea infrastructure, as well as the impact of climate change on security. The Division also promotes security cooperation on these challenges through a variety of different programmes, with Allies and with Partner nations, as well as with industry, academia and with other International Organisations (IO).
The Innovation and Technology Adoption Section is dedicated to bridging policy and realworld adoption of new technological products, driving tangible outcomes and effects.
Overview of NATO-Ukraine Innovation Cooperation
IHC leads delivery of NATO-Ukraine innovation cooperation, in close collaboration with Ukrainian stakeholders. This includes both project management and policy development related to dual-use, military and emerging and disruptive technologies. Project and policy work focus on two key areas:
PRINCIPAL DUTIES:
The incumbent:
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERTISE:
Essential
The incumbent must:
Desirable
MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Project Management
Foster and manage NATO-Ukraine innovation programmatic activities, including budgetary aspects where applicable, including by ensuring that financial resources are focussed on priorities from Ukraine, and are used in the most cost-effective manner in line with NATO’s financial regulations. Prepare proposals and carry through contracting requirements when external expertise is required to deliver on policy objectives. Engage with all relevant stakeholders such as the NATO Office of Financial Control, the Operations Division, NATO Agencies and other relevant NATO and national bodies. Prepare requests and reports for agreed activities (budgetary, political, progress reporting, etc.).
Planning and Execution
Develop and execute proposals and project plans for events, hackathons and prize challenges in cooperation with Ukraine and occasionally with Allies. Manage studies, consulting contracts and projects to support the delivery of urgent requirements to Ukraine and help develop capacity in the Ukrainian innovation ecosystem.
Stakeholder Management
Work with stakeholders at multiple levels to coordinate delivery of strategic efforts and seek out new opportunities across the NATO Enterprise; within Allied nations and Ukraine; with other fora focussed on delivering support to Ukraine (e.g., capability coalitions); with innovation ecosystems (entrepreneurs, corporate sector, academia, governments, investors) and with civil society. Coordinate all efforts with complex array of stakeholders.
Expertise Development
Provide advice and recommendations. Develop, maintain and apply expertise in innovation with new technologies to support delivery of urgent requirements to Ukraine and help develop the Ukrainian innovation ecosystem. Proactively seek out opportunities for international collaboration where increased innovation activities between Allies, Ukraine and NATO will be mutually beneficial. Help ensure that lessons learned from Ukraine also inform changes to processes within NATO. Represent the Organisation at meetings and events.
Knowledge Management
Develop and monitor sets of problem and challenge statements that could be solved by new technologies from a diverse array of Ukrainian stakeholders (the “demand signals”). Collate Ukrainian demand signals and ensure they are organised in a methodical fashion and distributed to key stakeholders. Maintain stakeholder map of relevant entities within the Alliance and Ukraine for this area of competence. Prepare quarterly reports on NATOUkraine innovation cooperation activities. Prepare briefing memoranda, talking points, questions/answers, speaking notes and background materials for meetings at, and visits to/from, NATO. Prepare and deliver relevant briefing materials. Perform any other related duty as assigned.
INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
The incumbent reports to the Head of the Innovation and Technology Adoption Section for day-to-day execution of duties. They work in close coordination with other staff members in the Innovation and Technology Adoption Section and the IHC Division. They also work closely with the Innovation Coordination Officer based at the NATO Representation to Ukraine in Kyiv, as well as with the NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) and NATO Innovation Fund (NIF). They maintain good working relationships with members of other divisions in the International Staff and International Military Staff, as well as with national and partner delegations. Close interrelationships with the private sector (entrepreneurs, corporate sector, investors) in both Allies and Ukraine are expected.
COMPETENCIES:
The incumbent must demonstrate:
CONTRACT:
Contract to be offered to the successful applicant (if non-seconded): Definite duration contract of three years; possibility of renewal for up to 3 years.
Contract clause applicable
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:
Before you apply to any position, we encourage you to click here and watch our video providing 6 tips to prepare you for your application and recruitment process. 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 (http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/recruit-hq-e.htm).
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 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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
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.
The Innovation, Hybrid & Cyber (IHC) Division provides a coordinated approach for NATO to the emerging security challenges of the 21st Century. It serves as NATO HQ’s focal point for policy development on issues linked to innovation and Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDTs), Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy, cyber, hybrid, energy security, security of critical undersea infrastructure, as well as the impact of climate change on security. The Division also promotes security cooperation on these challenges through a variety of different programmes, with Allies and with Partner nations, as well as with industry, academia and with other International Organisations (IO).
The Innovation and Technology Adoption Section is dedicated to bridging policy and realworld adoption of new technological products, driving tangible outcomes and effects.
Overview of NATO-Ukraine Innovation Cooperation
IHC leads delivery of NATO-Ukraine innovation cooperation, in close collaboration with Ukrainian stakeholders. This includes both project management and policy development related to dual-use, military and emerging and disruptive technologies. Project and policy work focus on two key areas:
- Identifying and collating urgent Ukrainian needs that could be solved by these technologies;
- Supporting the development of the Ukrainian innovation ecosystem. This also includes working closely with innovation stakeholders across Allies, Ukraine, the NATO Enterprise, entrepreneurs, the corporate sector, investors and civil society to do this.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES:
The incumbent:
- Coordinates the delivery of the NATO-Ukraine Innovation Cooperation Roadmap;
- Regularly engages stakeholders from Ukraine, Allies, the private sector (entrepreneurs, corporate actors, investors), and the NATO Enterprise to ensure coherence between efforts to grow Ukraine’s innovation ecosystem and to launch new innovation activities;
- Monitors and seeks out new technology trends and innovation opportunities for international collaboration with Allies and NATO in support of Ukrainian needs;
- Provides cross-functional support to the Innovation and Technology Adoption Section, to ensure that lessons learned from Ukraine also inform other Alliance work on innovation and adoption of emerging and disruptive technologies;
- Helps the growth of a NATO-Ukraine innovation network across a diverse ecosystem;
- May be required to travel to Ukraine occasionally.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERTISE:
Essential
The incumbent must:
- Have a university degree, or equivalent qualification in a field relevant for the position, from an institute of recognised standing;
- Have at least 4 years of experience in designing, implementing, and managingprojects and/or programmes, in a similar position related to technology innovation, including coordination with public and private stakeholders;
- Have an understanding of the policy implications of new technologies in defence and security and their opportunities and risks in modern conflict;
- Have an awareness of the geopolitical context in respect of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine;
- Have strong coordination and stakeholder management skills;
- Have excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to translate technical information into verbal/visual presentations, formal reports and/or decision briefs for senior leadership;
- Have demonstrable flexibility in fast-paced environment where needs evolve rapidly;
- Be flexible to work outside normal office hours and to travel to Ukraine, for which the incumbent is required to undertake Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT);
- Possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V ("Advanced”) in one; and I ("Beginner") in the other.
Desirable
- Experience with public procurement processes in an international organisation or government;
- Strong ability to execute fast-moving projects, including instituting key performance indicators, meeting reporting requirements, and implementing risk mitigation methods;
- Technical experience working and negotiating with experts from other fields, including across other functions and with military operational experts;
- Experience with financial management of projects;
- Certification in project management;
- Certification and/or experience in agile, and/or design thinking;
- Experience in designing a challenge or technology competition programme involving criteria for selection;
- Good working knowledge of Ukrainian.
MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Project Management
Foster and manage NATO-Ukraine innovation programmatic activities, including budgetary aspects where applicable, including by ensuring that financial resources are focussed on priorities from Ukraine, and are used in the most cost-effective manner in line with NATO’s financial regulations. Prepare proposals and carry through contracting requirements when external expertise is required to deliver on policy objectives. Engage with all relevant stakeholders such as the NATO Office of Financial Control, the Operations Division, NATO Agencies and other relevant NATO and national bodies. Prepare requests and reports for agreed activities (budgetary, political, progress reporting, etc.).
Planning and Execution
Develop and execute proposals and project plans for events, hackathons and prize challenges in cooperation with Ukraine and occasionally with Allies. Manage studies, consulting contracts and projects to support the delivery of urgent requirements to Ukraine and help develop capacity in the Ukrainian innovation ecosystem.
Stakeholder Management
Work with stakeholders at multiple levels to coordinate delivery of strategic efforts and seek out new opportunities across the NATO Enterprise; within Allied nations and Ukraine; with other fora focussed on delivering support to Ukraine (e.g., capability coalitions); with innovation ecosystems (entrepreneurs, corporate sector, academia, governments, investors) and with civil society. Coordinate all efforts with complex array of stakeholders.
Expertise Development
Provide advice and recommendations. Develop, maintain and apply expertise in innovation with new technologies to support delivery of urgent requirements to Ukraine and help develop the Ukrainian innovation ecosystem. Proactively seek out opportunities for international collaboration where increased innovation activities between Allies, Ukraine and NATO will be mutually beneficial. Help ensure that lessons learned from Ukraine also inform changes to processes within NATO. Represent the Organisation at meetings and events.
Knowledge Management
Develop and monitor sets of problem and challenge statements that could be solved by new technologies from a diverse array of Ukrainian stakeholders (the “demand signals”). Collate Ukrainian demand signals and ensure they are organised in a methodical fashion and distributed to key stakeholders. Maintain stakeholder map of relevant entities within the Alliance and Ukraine for this area of competence. Prepare quarterly reports on NATOUkraine innovation cooperation activities. Prepare briefing memoranda, talking points, questions/answers, speaking notes and background materials for meetings at, and visits to/from, NATO. Prepare and deliver relevant briefing materials. Perform any other related duty as assigned.
INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
The incumbent reports to the Head of the Innovation and Technology Adoption Section for day-to-day execution of duties. They work in close coordination with other staff members in the Innovation and Technology Adoption Section and the IHC Division. They also work closely with the Innovation Coordination Officer based at the NATO Representation to Ukraine in Kyiv, as well as with the NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) and NATO Innovation Fund (NIF). They maintain good working relationships with members of other divisions in the International Staff and International Military Staff, as well as with national and partner delegations. Close interrelationships with the private sector (entrepreneurs, corporate sector, investors) in both Allies and Ukraine are expected.
- Direct Reports: N/A;
- Indirect Reports: N/A.
COMPETENCIES:
The incumbent must demonstrate:
- Analytical Thinking: Sees multiple relationships;
- Flexibility: Adapts to unforeseen situations;
- Impact and Influence: Takes multiple actions to persuade;
- Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation;
- Organisational Awareness: Understands organisational climate and culture;
- Teamwork: Cooperates.
CONTRACT:
Contract to be offered to the successful applicant (if non-seconded): Definite duration contract of three years; possibility of renewal for up to 3 years.
Contract clause applicable
- This post is required for a limited period to support a project. As employment in this post is of limited duration, the successful applicant will be offered a definite duration contract of 3 years’ duration , which may be renewed for a period of up to 3 years if required to support this project;
- If the successful applicant is seconded from the national administration of one of NATO’s member States, a 3 years definite duration contract will be offered, which may be renewed for a period of up to 3 years if required to support this project, and subject also to the agreement of the national authority concerned;
- Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations.
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.
Before you apply to any position, we encourage you to click here and watch our video providing 6 tips to prepare you for your application and recruitment process. 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 (http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/recruit-hq-e.htm).
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 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.
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.
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