Office Head (ACO Internal Audit)
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Job Summary
1. POST CONTEXT
SHAPE is NATOs strategic military headquarters for Allied Command Operations and plays a central role in supporting the Supreme Allied Commander Europe in meeting NATOs operational objectives.
The ACO Internal Audit Office helps strengthen the way Allied Command Operations is governed and managed by providing independent assurance and advice on risk management internal control and organisational performance.
As Branch Head you will lead a team of internal audit professionals manage the branchs daily activities and oversee audit assignments across Allied Command Operations. You will work to recognised professional audit standards and contribute directly to improving accountability transparency and effectiveness across NATOs operational command structure.
2. PRINCIPAL DUTIES
The incumbents duties are: 1) Strategic Leadership & Direction: Provide high-level vision leadership and strategic direction for the ACO Internal Audit Branch taking final accountability for all its operations and staff. 2) Independent Assurance & Reporting: Deliver independent evidence-based opinions and written audit reports to SACEUR the Chief of Staff (COS) and the Audit Advisory Panel (AAP) regarding ACOs overall risk management governance and internal controls. 3) Audit Programme Development: Evaluate complex organizational data to design risk-assess and secure approval for the annual ACO internal audit program. 4) Audit Execution & Oversight: Direct financial compliance risk performance and IT systems audits across both static military headquarters and active operational theatres. 5) Ad-Hoc & Special Investigations: Evaluate prioritize and allocate resources for sudden special audit requests directed by the COS HQ Commanders or Financial Controllers. 6) Policy & Strategy Formulation: Formulate implement and maintain ACO-wide internal audit strategies policies and operational audit manuals. 7) Stakeholder Management & Consulting: Build strategic relationships with senior leaders across NATO and external audit bodies (like the International Board of Auditors for NATO) while providing independent management consulting services. 8) Follow-Up & Risk Accountability: Track and follow up on previous audit findings to ensure managements agreed corrective actions are implemented effectively and have clear senior ownership. 9) Staff Training & Professional Development: Oversee continuous training policies and professional development programs to ensure audit branch personnel maintain top-tier qualifications. 10) High-Level Communication: Translate complex audit and risk data into clear actionable advice for both technical and non-specialist audiences up to the highest strategic levels of the Alliance. |
3. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND ADDITIONAL DUTIES
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 180 days. The employee may be required to perform a similar range of duties elsewhere within the organization at the same grade without there being any change to the contract.
Performs other relevant duties as directed by the Chief of Staff (COS) or the AAP or requested by the Allied Command Operations (ACO) Financial Controller (pending prior approval by the COS and the AAP) such as special investigations and ad-hoc studies.
The risk of injury is categorised as No risk / risk might increase when deployed.
4. ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Professional/Experience
1) Experience of leading audit teams and delivering audit programmes in a large complex organization.
2) Experience with a recognised Enterprise Risk Management methodology and Internal Control Frameworks.
3) Certification as an auditor from a recognised Internal Auditing Organisation and in accordance with recognised Internal Audit Standards.
4) Member of a recognised professional auditing or accounting body or institution. And maintenance of this certification through continual professional development and education and payment of annual subscriptions.
Education/Training
University Degree in accounting finance management business administration public administration or related discipline and 10 years related experience.
In case of ambiguity the required job specific experience have priority over the standard education and training levels and experience described here.
Language
English SPL 4343 (Listening Speaking Reading and Writing)
5. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Professional/Experience
1) Governance risk and compliance experience with the following: Business Management Financial Management Procurement and Information Systems Management
2) Experience as an auditor in NATO a major international/ multi-national organization or a national audit institution.
6. COMPETENCIES
The successful candidate will be a professional tactful and trusted leader with sound judgement flexibility and excellent communication skills. They will be able to present complex audit findings clearly and persuasively to senior audiences both orally and in writing.
The role requires strong technical expertise impartiality independence and the highest standards of integrity. The candidate must be able to understand the operational environment and the concerns of commanders and staff while maintaining objective professional judgement.
The post involves regular engagement with senior military and civilian leaders across NATO including commanders chiefs of staff division and branch heads and audit bodies. The candidate will be expected to brief audit results and recommendations at senior level.
Through independent assurance and advice the post contributes directly to improving governance risk management internal control efficiency and effectiveness across Allied Command Operations.
7. 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 members 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 NATOs 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.
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.
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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Applications are to be submitted using NATO Talent Acquisition Platform (NTAP) ( Applications submitted by other means (e.g. mail e-mail fax etc) are not accepted.
A copy of the qualification/certificate covering the highest level of education required by the job description must be provided as an attachment. Essential information must be included in the application form. Particular attention should be given to Education and Experience section of the application form. The application should be in English. Shortlisted candidates will be requested to provide original documentary evidence and a set of copies supporting statements in their applications. After submitting your application you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt of your application.
Remarks:
A) Only nationals from the 32 NATO member states can apply for vacancies at SHAPE.
B) Applications are automatically acknowledged within one working day after the absence of an acknowledgement please make sure the submission process is completed or re-submit the application.
C) Candidates individual telephone e-mail or telefax enquiries cannot be dealt with. All candidates will receive an answer indicating the outcome of their application
D) 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 NATOs sole discretion and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate
E) As part of the recruitment process the organization may review publicly available information to assess potential conflicts of interest reputational risks or behaviors inconsistent with the organizations values.
