Head, Defence Capabilities
Head, Defence Capabilities
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Job Description
1. SUMMARY
The Defence Policy and Planning (DPP) Division has the lead role on the defencerelated aspects of NATOs fundamental security tasks at the politicalmilitary level.
Within the DPP the Defence Capabilities Section supports the politicalmilitary work on the Alliances military adaptation in particular through the implementation of the deterrence and defence concept and the warfighting concept. It deals with a wide range of policy issues related to Alliances deterrence and defence posture and its related initiatives capabilities and structures including the NATO Command Structure and the NATO Force Model. It supports the Defence Policy and Planning Committee (DPPC) by preparing the appropriate policy through relevant and timely politicalmilitary advice.
As Head of Section the incumbent is required to provide or coordinate advice on politicalmilitary aspects of NATOs military adaptation including to advance the implementation of highlevel initiatives (such as the decisions taken at the Washington Vilnius and Madrid Summits). The incumbent is responsible for the policy aspects of the development of such capabilities and related initiatives as well as of the further adaptation of Alliance defence structures and procedures. The Head of Section oversees the preparation of politicalmilitary advice to Council on capabilityrelated documents prepared by the NATO Military Authorities.
The incumbent will work in a Division which considers diversity and inclusion as essential to the way it works. At DPP Diversity and Inclusion is considered to be as important as our programme of work and the number of staffs who support it. DPP is a workplace which values each staff member for their contributions perspectives and potential. At DPP staff members feel equally involved in and supported in all areas of the workplace.
Key challenges facing the successful candidate over the next 35 years will include:
- Monitoring reporting on and advancing the effective implementation of highlevel initiatives related to NATOs military adaptation particularly those taken at recent Summits;
- Providing advice on the politicalmilitary aspects of military structures concepts and decisions (less those relating to ongoing operations) including concerning the adapted NATO Command Structure the NATO Force Model and the warfare development as well as those related to readiness and reinforcement;
- Proposing initiatives or policy adjustments for future summits and ministerial meetings which promote the maintenance and development of appropriate defence capabilities by NATO Allies taking into account the need for appropriate burdensharing.
In addition to the application form candidates are expected to submit a Word or pdf document maximum of two A4 pages summarising their views on the key (and possible other) challenges facing the Defence Capabilities Section and how they would address them if selected for the position.
2. QUALIFICATIONS
ESSENTIAL
The incumbent must:
- possess a university from an institute of recognised standing in a relevant field for this role;
- have a minimum of 10 years of experience in progressively responsible posts in a national administration international organisation or in the armed forces dealing with defence policy and capabilities;
- have at least 5 years experience leading and developing a diverse team;
- have a thorough understanding of the organisation preparation command and employment of national military forces including their interaction and relationship with Alliance structures;
- have familiarity with NATO and a knowledge of policy issues facing the Alliance in particular relating to the implementation of the deterrence and defence concept and the warfighting concept;
- have knowledge of other deterrence and defence related efforts within the Alliance as well as indepth understanding of the political environment within which these efforts take place;
- demonstrate the capacity for independent conceptual analysis of issues affecting the Alliances deterrence and defence initiatives;
- be able to communicate clearly logically and persuasively both in writing and orally as well as to direct the writing of their team members;
- possess the following minimum levels of NATOs official languages (English/French): V(Advanced) in one; I (Beginner) in the other;
- be prepared to travel and to work outside normal office hours.
DESIRABLE
The following would be considered an advantage:
- seniorlevel experience dealing with the development of defence policy in a national administration (including civil ministries and agencies) military or international organization.
Project Management
Provide thought leadership and oversee the development of ongoing initiatives related to NATOs military adaptation and as necessary propose new ones in order to improve overall Alliances collective defence.
Organisational Efficiencies
In collaboration with national representatives and other elements of the Staff analyse capability shortfalls and propose the development of solutions which are acceptable to all participating nations thereby achieving much needed capabilities for the Alliance.
Policy Development
Provide and coordinate advice regarding shortcomings and possible remedies including the development of general policy documents. Prepare analyse or implement North Atlantic Council (NAC) decisions on key defencerelated initiatives. Oversee the development and coordination of joint and servicerelated policy including related to posture forces and command and control relationships.
Expertise Development
Advise the Director for Defence Policy and Capabilities the Assistant Secretary General (ASG) and Deputy ASG for DPP and NATO leadership on general questions related to NATOs deterrence and defence. Draft reports briefing materials and other items for highlevel meetings in particular meetings of Defence Ministers. Prepare briefing materials for the Secretary General and the ASG for DPP on matters dealt with by their Section.
Knowledge Management
Oversee the preparation and proper compilation of data for various deterrence and defencerelated reports to the NAC. Support the Chair of the Defence Policy and Planning Committee in the preparation coordination and followup of meetings. Ensure appropriate information flow within the team the division and other relevant stakeholders.
Stakeholder Management
Identify and engage national experts on relevant deterrence and defence subjects. Maintain liaison between NATO Headquarters (HQ) and the various NATO bodies and agencies involved in defence capabilities programmes.
Representation of the Organization
Contribute to public information aspects of defence policy including by making presentations to visitors to NATO Headquarters by providing briefings to the media and by representing the Alliance at conferences and symposia.
People Management
Adhere to and promote sound and inclusive leadership and management principles for the Section. Lead a diverse team of international staff voluntary national contributions temps and interns who execute a variety of objectives and complex tasks. Set objectives and establish priorities. Inspire staff to work creatively and collaboratively with limited resources. Promote a positive productive and inspiring work environment. Be an active listener and provide constructive feedback. Put particular focus on fostering daytoday staff decisions with delegated responsibility. Champion diversity and inclusion provide indepth performance management mentoring coaching and training opportunities and be available to offer guidance at critical moments. Ensure that all staff under their responsibility are clear on Organizational Divisional and Directorate objectives. Provide regular and fair feedback on performance as a staff development tool throughout every day work and formally via the HQ Performance Review and Development (PRD) system.
Vision and Direction
Ensure that the objectives of the Section are consistent with the strategic objectives of the Alliance and the DPP Division.
Perform any other related duty as assigned.
4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS
The incumbent is responsible to the Director for Defence Policy and Capabilities. The incumbent coordinates the work of their Section within the Division (especially with the Defence Planning Directorate) with other Divisions of the International Staff notably the Operations and Defence Investment Divisions with the NATO Military Authorities and with delegations on matters of defence capabilities. They liaise on behalf of DPP with outside governmental and nongovernmental institutions and as appropriate with other International Organisations notably the European Union for subjects under their responsibility.
Direct reports: 6
Indirect reports: N/a.
5. COMPETENCIES
The incumbent must demonstrate:
- Achievement: Sets and works to meet challenging goals;
- Change Leadership: Personally leads change;
- Conceptual Thinking: Clarifies complex data or situations;
- Developing Others: Provides indepth mentoring coaching and training;
- Impact and Influence: Uses indirect influence;
- Initiative: Plans and acts for the longterm;
- Leadership: Positions self as the leader;
- Organisational Awareness: Understands organisational politics;
- SelfControl: Stays composed and positive even under extreme pressure.
7. USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member must be submitted using erecruitment system as applicable:
- For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal (link);
- For all other applications: 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.
Please note that the competition for this post is provisionally scheduled as follows:
Preselection testing in July 2025;
Final selection in August 2025 in Brussels Belgium.More information about the recruitment process and conditions of employment can be found at our website ( will be subject to receipt of asecurity clearance(provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate) approval of the candidatesmedical fileby the NATO Medical Adviser verification of your study(ies) and work experience and the successful completion of theaccreditationand 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 artificialintelligence (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 NATOs sole discretion and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.
8. 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.
Employment Type
Full-Time
