Head, Net Assessment Section

**1. SUMMARY**

The Defence Policy and Planning (DPP) Division has the lead role on the defence-related aspects of NATO's fundamental security tasks at the political-military level. Within the DPP Division, the Net Assessment Section is responsible for the preparation of NATO net assessments to support deliberations by the Defence Policy and Planning Committee and other NATO committees, ahead of formal advice, by addressing trends and patterns in strategic design and operational capacity between the Alliance and state and non-state competitors and potential adversaries. Such assessments help support consideration of asymmetries and relative vulnerabilities and opportunities, to inform policy formulation and capability development. It also supports strategic level discussions at Council, Military Committee and Ministerial levels.

As the Head of the Net Assessment Section, the incumbent will oversee and supervise the Section’s activities and staff, as well as be responsible for the development of NATO’s Net Assessment capacity, including applicable data sets, such that it fulfils the aims described above. S/He will lead the design and preparation of informative and authoritative net assessments. S/He provides advice to the Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning on the use of net assessments in support of the work of the Defence Policy and Planning Division, the Defence Policy and Planning Committee and other NATO Committees.
- The incumbent will also be required to respond to tasks from the ASG/DPP in special circumstances, in particular on cross-cutting issues that affect multiple Sections within the DPP Division. These additional tasks, if assigned, are envisioned to take up less than half of the incumbent’s workload and effort.

**KEY CHALLENGES**

**#1 **Strengthen NATO Headquarters’ analytical and data management capabilities in support of the production of net assessments;
**#2 **Enhance the use of Net Assessment within the Organisation;

**#3 **Strengthen relationships with national net assessment organisations in Allied nations.

**2. QUALIFICATIONS **AND **EXPERIENCE**

**ESSENTIAL**
- The incumbent must possess:
- a university degree, preferably with a specialisation in political science, international affairs or defence policy, or have an equivalent high-level military (e.g. general staff) education;-
- in-depth knowledge and at least 10 years’ experience in the field of defence policy and strategy;-
- in-depth understanding of trends in security policy and military posture in the Euro-Atlantic area and their implications;-
- an established expertise and at least 8 years’ professional experience in the field of the comparative assessment of military forces and other capabilities, and/or estimation of foreign power strengths, weaknesses and vulnerabilities, and associated strategic, operational and resource implications;-
- be familiar with the practice of Net Assessment and specialised expertise in the use of net assessment procedures and techniques;-
- demonstrated capacity to lead, motivate and engage a diverse and multidisciplinary team;-
- superior drafting skills, such that the NATO net assessments prepared by the Net Assessment Section are concise, informative and easily readable, and attract the highest form of interest by readers.-
- be familiar with the responsibilities and roles of the pertinent NATO civil and military bodies involved the broader defence policy and planning activities of the Alliance, in particular at NATO HQ;-
- possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Proficiency”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other;-
- the ability to travel and to work beyond normal office hours as required.**DESIRABLE**

The following would be considered an advantage:
- have a master’s degree preferably with a specialisation in political science, international affairs or defence policy;-
- have experience in the design and preparation of tailored net assessments.**3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES**

**Vision and Direction**
- Advise the Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning on key elements in the decision-making process for the development of NATO’s Net Assessment capacity. S/He ensures that the vision guides the mid-term work plans of the Section.

**Policy Development**
- Lead the practice of Net Assessment in NATO and the preparation of net assessments, to support defence policy development and assist deliberations by the Defence Policy and Planning Committee and other NATO committees, ahead of formal advice, by addressing trends and patterns in strategic design and operational capacity between the Alliance and state and non-state competitors and potential adversaries.

**Expertise Development**

**People Management**
- Cultivate a motivating, inclusive and effective workplace. Provide in-depth mentoring, coaching and training opportunities and be avai