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The Division develops the policies and programmes to ensure the Alliance can rely on a capable and competitive transatlantic defence industrial base.
It plays an important role in promoting multinational cooperation through joint procurement and other armaments projects, as well as in developing cooperation with Partner nations and other international organisations.
In this context, the Division sets policies and creates conditions for the development of common funded capabilities for NATO and multinational capability cooperation.
The Division also has the overall responsibility within the NATO International Staff for the development of the NATO Ballistic Missile Defence capability, Air Command and Control, Joint Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), and other major capability programmes.
The Division is also the NATO HQ focal point for NATO Agencies and provides advice and policy guidance to the agencies through the Office of the Secretary General’s Liaison Officer to the NATO Agencies, in particular the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) and the NATO Communications and Information Services Agency (NCIA).
The ASG/DI leads the Division (composed of approximately 80 IS staff members), and is supported in this task by one Deputy ASG who also functions as the Secretary General’s Liaison Officer to the NATO Agencies.
ASG/DI also jointly leads, with the Director General of the International Military Staff, the NATO Digital Staff (NDS), composed of approximately 75 civil and military staff.
It maintains a close working relationship with the Chief Information Officer.
There are 8 Assistant Secretaries General, all of whom report to the NATO Secretary General and are also accountable to the North Atlantic Council.
As a member of the Secretary General’s senior management team, each AssistantSecretary General is also expected to contribute to overall policy development and delivery, including in areas beyond their direct set of responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE ESSENTIALThe candidate must:
have a solid background in defence matters, specifically in the field of armaments and defence systems developed through at least 15 years of professional experience; hold a university degree (Master’s level preferred) or equivalent level of qualification in a relevant field relevant for this position; have experience in progressively responsible positions, with significant people management experience and have the capacity to lead, motivate and engage a diverse multidisciplinary team; have extensive experience in leading change and a proven track record in successfully implementing complex programmes; have a proven track record of creating a high-level vision and directing organisations to develop and implement the necessary policies; have experience facilitating high-level dialogue and consensus; have experience working in a multilateral environment or an environment with a variety of stakeholders from multi-cultural backgrounds including for example from the military, the industry and the science and technology communities; be an innovative, strategic, conceptual thinker and be able to design and use complex influencing strategies to fulfil the required objectives; possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French):
VI (“Proficiency”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other.
DESIRABLE The following would be considered an advantage:
a higher level of proficiency in NATO’s second official language (English/French).
ACCOUNTABILITIES The ASG/DI deals directly with NATO members and partners as well as other international organisations on issues relating to delivery of military capabilities.
S/he chairs and co-chairs high-level committees composed of NATO Nations and partners:
The ASG is the Chair of NATO’s Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD), which oversees systems and equipment programmes such as Missile defence and Joint ISR, as well as promotes multinational cooperation; The ASG is the permanent Chair of the Digital Policy Committee, which defines NATO Policy in the field of Communication and Information Systems and technically supports NATO Cyber Defence activities; The ASG is the co-Chair, with the Deputy Chair of the Military Committee, of the NATO Standardization Committee, which oversees production of norms and standards in interoperability; The ASG chairs the Integrated Air and Missile Defence Committee.
The ASG/DI will speak in public fora and to the Press on behalf of the Secretary General.
There is a representation function associated with this appointment within NATO HQ, NATO-wide and with Nations.
In her/his role as manager of the Division, the incumbent leads and oversees a team of IS and IMS, including Voluntary National Contributions (VNCs).
Towards that end, the ASG-DI will aim to achieve the following objectives:
Vision and Direction:
Develop, communicate and implement a vision to face the future challenges of the Alliance.
Support the team around common objectives, ensuring that vision guides its mid and long-term programme of work.
Act as a role model of inclusive leadership and promote resilience, flexibility and innovation.
Ensure the proper management and coherent tasking of human resources in the DI Division.
People Management:
In her/his role as manager of the Division, the incumbent will lead and oversee a large team of international staff working under the direct supervision of the Heads of Section, promoting integrity, professionalism and accountability through a sound and inclusive leadership culture.
Specifically, the ASG will aim to achieve the following objectives:
Talent attraction:
Ensure recruitment panels for posts in her/his Division are fair and objective; make selection recommendations with the best interests of the Organization in mind; Talent development:
Adhere to sound management principles with staff, and provide in depth mentoring, coaching and training opportunities; be available for guidance at critical moments; ensure that all Divisional staff are clear on Organizational and Divisional objectives; provide regular and fair feedback on performance, informally as appropriate and via the performance management system; Performance Management:
Participate in a collegial review of performance at divisional level to discuss possible development and mobility opportunities for individuals, identify high potentials and help ensure common standards are applied in the process across the Organization; make contract renewal or conversion recommendations with the best interests of the Organization in mind; Continual improvement culture:
Actively contribute to the improvement of the Organizational policies and processes; Participate in leadership learning and development Programmes, related to the successful execution of her/his duties.
COMPETENCIES Candidates must demonstrate the following:
Achievement:
Demonstrates decisiveness based on solid considerations and trade-offs.
Change Leadership:
Champions change.
Conceptual Thinking:
Creates new concepts.
Developing Others:
Provides in-depth mentoring, coaching and training.
Impact and Influence:
Uses complex influence strategies.
Initiative:
Plans and acts for the long term.
Leadership:
Communicates a compelling vision.
Organizational Awareness:
Understands underlying issues.
Self-Control:
Stays composed and positive even under extreme pressure.
KEY CHALLENGES Key challenges facing the successful candidate for ASG/DI during the next 3 years will likely include:
Boosting defence industrial production to meet NATO capability targets and support Ukraine, including through initiating multinational capability development and procurement initiatives; Ensuring NATO maintains its technological edge by fostering effective cooperation with industry.
Improving and expanding NATO standardisation and contributing to the Alliance’s digital transformation. The Economist BrusselsBrussels
