Head, Operations and Strategic Capabilities

Head, Operations and Strategic Capabilities (Civil Engineering) (261690)

NATO Body

NATO International Staff (NATO IS)

Schedule

Full-time

Application Deadline

22-Nov-2026, 10:59:00 PM

Salary (Pay Basis)

Grade NATO Grade G22

Description

Please be informed that the competition for this post is provisionally scheduled as follows:

• Online Selective Assessment: mid-December 2026 to early January 2027
• Final selection: remote Assessment Centre from 20 to 22 January 2027, Onsite Written Test on 25 January 2027, Onsite Interview Panel on 26 January 2027

The above dates are tentative and may be subject to change, with final confirmation to be provided at a later stage in the process. Until then, we kindly ask that you make the necessary arrangements to ensure your availability.

Please note that requests from candidates to reschedule these dates will not be accommodated.

1. SUMMARY

The NATO Office of Resources (NOR) provides independent and integrated expert advice to the Secretary General, NATO Resource Committees, Allies, and other stakeholders on the planning, allocation and utilisation of military common funding made available to achieve NATO’s goals and objectives. The Head, Operations and Strategic Capabilities Branch will lead the development of resource assessments, advice, support and other deliverables related to common funded civil works capabilities to the NATO resource committees and other stakeholders. They will oversee the implementation of capabilities funded from the NATO Security Investment Programme (NSIP).

Key Challenges

Key challenges facing the successful candidate during the next 3-5 years are likely to include the following:

• Leading and driving the delivery of an increased volume of common-funded infrastructure projects that enable NATO’s deterrence and defence plans and in accordance with relevant political guidance.
• Developing and implementing engagement plans with Allied Nations to guide, advise and support their efforts to accelerate the delivery of common-funded programs and projects.
• Promoting the role of the NOR and value of common funding across the Organization, contributing to the development of new policies and initiatives to accelerate capability delivery, and maximising internal workflow processes through the use of modern tools.

2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The incumbent must:

• possess a university degree or equivalent level of qualification in the field of civil engineering;
• have at least 10 years of experience in the field of civil engineering, out of which at least 5 years in team management and coordination;
• have experience as a programme manager handling administrative, financial, and human resource management aspects, particularly leading teams in multinational political environments;
• demonstrate the ability to communicate complex technical and financial advice clearly to diverse audiences; and
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages: (English/ French): V (“Advanced”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other.

Advantages:

• experience working at NATO, or in a NATO-context, and have an understanding of the NATO environment, structures, committee working practices, and business processes, in particular the ones related to common funding;
• extensive knowledge of modern engineering techniques impacting military capabilities;
• experience managing resources and large-scale infrastructure projects/programmes, including civil engineering in operational missions.

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

People Management: Cultivate a motivating, inclusive and effective workplace. Provide in-depth 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 objects. Provide regular and fair feedback on performance, informally and formally via the HQ Achievement and Development Plan (ADP) system.

Expertise Development: Lead on the development of expertise within the Branch. Ensure alignment with the goals and requirements of the NOR and with the overall objectives of the Alliance. Advice NATO Military Authorities, International Staff (IS) divisions, NATO bodies, NATO Committees and national chairperson on resource aspects of various capability programmes and on other military resource issues.

Policy Development: Lead the development of guidelines in all areas related to assessing investment capabilities in line with Council and Committee tasking. Provide concise and comprehensive policy reports and advice to the NATO Resource Committees, and its substructures. Determine the impact of new and existing policies for the implementat