Junior Officer, Plans

1. SUMMARY

The mission of the Operations Division of the International Staff is to prepare NATO for the defence of Alliance territory to respond to crises at home and abroad and to strengthen the capabilities of partners. The Operations Division advances the core tasks of the Alliance (Collective Defence Crisis Prevention and Management Cooperative Security) by providing situational awareness advance planning well-exercised and executed crisis response and outcome-oriented defence and related security cooperation programmes.

Under the authority of Director for Operations the Plans Section contributes to the effective preparedness of the Alliance to face both deterrence and defence challenges and crises. The Section coordinates political-military advice for the North Atlantic Council through the Operations Policy Committee (OPC) on these matters. It guides the political aspects of advance planning in support of the Alliances deterrence and defence as well as potential NATO-led crisis response operations and exercises. It handles all aspects of strategic planning that require the North Atlantic Councils attention and coordinates work on posture management. The Section also has oversight of the enhanced situational awareness process in NATO HQ and of Geospatial Services.

The incumbent will be assigned duties by the Head Plans Section to assist in the staffing and preparation of advice and recommendations to the Operations Policy Committee (OPC) and the Integrated Task Force on Posture Management and the Response Coordination Task Force. These will be in support of the decision-making process of the Council related to crisis management and collective defence in the Alliance as well as posture management. The incumbent will further support the review process of the NATO response system and will contribute to policy development on cross-cutting issues as required.

2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

The incumbent must:

• possess a university degree in a field relevant for this position (e.g. Security or Defence Studies International Relations);
• have at least 2 years of experience relevant to defence policy operations planning and/or crisis management;
• have a good understanding of civil-military crisis management in the national and/or international context;
• have an awareness of NATOs crisis response the Alliances deterrence and defence posture as well as the approaches of other International Organisations active in crisis management;
• have a broad knowledge and understanding of current international events and the security environment;
• have excellent drafting and communication skills;
• be available to travel and work outside normal office hours when required;
• possess the following minimum levels of NATOs official languages (English/French): V (Advanced) in one; I (Beginner) in the other.

DESIRABLE

The following would be considered an advantage:

• a post-graduate university degree in a field relevant for this position;
• experience working for a national administration or international organisation on multilateral security affairs;
• familiarity with specific warfighting domains (eg. maritime space air land);
• familiarity with the interrelationships between NATO HQ the NATO Strategic Commands national authorities of allies and partner nations.

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Planning and Execution

Support the development of initiatives policy doctrine guidelines and procedures to increase NATOs operational preparedness to respond to the full spectrum of crises (both collective defence and crisis management) including by drawing on appropriate lessons learned to help inform strategic political and military decision-making and planning.

Expertise Development

Apply expertise to activities across the crisis spectrum. Prepare advice on operations-related political-military planning matters including through the Response Coordination Task Force. Contribute to the conduct of seminars workshops exercises and other activities for NATO colleagues national civil and military planners including interaction with International Organisations as required.

Knowledge Management

In cooperation with various stakeholders (inside and outside NATO as required) coordinate or contribute to the development of crisis-related analysis and assessments as appropriate taking into account inputs by all relevant stakeholders as well as own research. Share relevant operational information to ensure common situational awareness with NATO and partner delegations National Military Authorities (NMAs) and other bodies following set procedures and according to need with other International Organizations.

Stakeholder Management

Liaise and cooperate with the International Staff National Military Authorities (NMAs) and national representatives with regard to crisis prevention and management collective defence procedures civil and political-military planning-related issues and developments. Support the conduct of activities with NATO partnerships. Develop contacts and cooperation in support of the conduct of political/military activities designed to cooperate with international organisations involved in crisis management.

Project Management

Take on additional relevant projects as deemed necessary by divisional management and relevant to Alliance crisis management planning and operational objectives. Support training and exercises events organization of committee meetings outside of NATO HQ.

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The incumbent reports to Head Plans Section and through her/him to the Director for Operations. They are also required to maintain close working relationships with other sections of the Operations Division in particular the Crisis Response Systems and Exercises Section (CRSE) and Current Operations Section (COPS) and with the Operations and Planning (O&P) and Policy and Capabilities (P&C) of the International Military Staff (IMS). Additionally they will coordinate with other Divisions of the International Staff the IMS the Situation Centre the NATO Strategic Commands and national delegations as necessary and be prepared to establish appropriate coordination with other non-NATO entities when so directed.

Direct reports: N/A

Indirect reports: N/A

5. COMPETENCIES

The incumbent must demonstrate:

• Analytical Thinking: Sees multiple relationships.
• Flexibility: Acts with flexibility.
• Impact and Influence: Takes multiple actions to persuade.
• Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation.
• Organizational Awareness: Understands organisational climate and culture.
• Teamwork: Cooperates.