Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy–221083
Primary Location
Belgium-Brussels
NATO Body
NATO International Staff (NATO IS)
Schedule
Full-time
Euro (EUR) Monthly
Grade Unclassified
Description
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1. SUMMARY
NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division (PDD) plays a key role in developing the Alliance’s strategic and political messages and conveying them to opinion formers and to the public in general. PDD works to raise the Alliance’s profile with audiences world-wide, and to build support for Alliance operations and policies. The Division provides information environment awareness to the Secretary General and other NATO HQ stakeholders; and it acts as coordinator for strategic communication activities undertaken by other Divisions at NATO Headquarters (HQ), as well as by other entities belonging to the NATO structure.
The Assistant Secretary General (ASG) reports directly to the Secretary General of NATO and advises the Secretary General on strategic communication issues. S/He is a member of the Secretary General’s senior management team. S/He will, in close cooperation with the Spokesperson and under direction of the Secretary General, set the overall communications objectives, identify key audiences, and oversee the prioritisation of resources and the execution of plans. The ASG will manage the Division (presently approximately 95 staff members) and will be supported by a Deputy, while working closely with the NATO Spokesperson.
There are eight ASGs, 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 ASG is also expected to contribute to overall policy development and delivery, including in areas beyond their direct set of responsibilities.
2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
The candidate must:
- have a strong background developed through at least 15 years of experience in international and public diplomacy;
- have a university degree or equivalent level of qualification in a field relevant for this position;
- have experience working in a multilateral environment or an environment with a variety of stakeholders from multi-cultural backgrounds, including the military, industry, science or technology communities;
- have a proven track record of recent experience in progressively senior-level leadership positions;
- have a proven track record of creating a high-level vision and directing organisations to develop and implement the necessary policies;
- have significant people management experience and the capacity to lead, motivate and engage a diverse multidisciplinary team;
- have extensive experience championing organisation-wide change and/or modernisation projects in IT, finance, HR, and/or facilities;
- have experience facilitating high-level dialogue and consensus;
- 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:
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a higher level of proficiency in NATO’s second official language (English/French).
3. ACCOUNTABILITIES
The ASG/PDD is responsible for managing and directing NATO HQ’s communications activities, in close cooperation with the Spokesperson who is responsible for media relations, and under the direction of the Secretary General and, on his behalf, the Private Office.
The ASG/PDD will speak in public fora and to the Press on behalf of the Secretary General and there is a substantial representation function associated with this appointment within NATO HQ, NATO-wide, with nations and with the public.
In her/his role as manager of the Division, the incumbent will lead and oversee a team of international staff which are under the direct supervision of the Heads of Sections. More specifically, the s/he 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.
- People Management: 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, and ensuring the proper management and coherent tasking of human resources.
- Talent Attraction: Ensure recruitment panels for posts in her/his Division are fair and objective. Serve on the Establishment Committee and 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: Serve on internal strategy, policy, and coordination boards, as required. 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.
4. COMPETENCIES
Candidates must demonstrate the following competencies:
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Achievement: Demonstrates decisiveness based on solid considerations and trade-offs.
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Change Leadership: Champions change.
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Conceptual Thinking: Creates new concepts.
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Developing Others: Provides in-depth mentoring, coaching and training.
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Impact and Influence: Uses complex influence strategies.
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Initiative: Plans and acts for the long term.
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Leadership: Communicates a compelling vision.
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Organizational Awareness: Understands underlying issues.
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Self-Control: Stays composed and positive even under extreme pressure.
5. KEY CHALLENGES
Key challenges facing the successful candidate for ASG, PDD during the next 3 years will likely include:
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Development and effective implementation of a NATO-wide communications effort that successfully incorporates and leverages Allies’ national communications campaigns;
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Development and use of cutting edge communications tools to ensure that NATO’s priorities and messages are clearly and effectively communicated to key audiences.
In addition to the application form, candidates are expected to submit a Word or pdf document summarising their views on the key (and possible other) challenges, and how they would address them if selected for the position. This essay will be evaluated as part of the longlisting assessment (see full instructions on how to apply below “7.Recruitment Process”).
6. CONTRACT
The successful applicant will be employed for an initial period of 3 years. Exceptionally, there may be possibility of a one-year extension thereafter.
7. RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries.
Applications must be submitted using e-recruitment system, as applicable:
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For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal (link);
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For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment
As part of their application, candidates are kindly requested to attach one MS Word document or pdf document summarising their views on the key challenges (see point 5) and how they would address them if selected for the position. Essays should be limited to maximum one A4 page (800 words per page) per challenge.
The title of the attachment must include the vacancy reference 221083 and the words “Key challenges”.
Selection of candidates for NATO posts is based upon the merit principle. Candidates are requested to attach their essay to their application on Taleo, by latest 29 January 2023.
Shortlisted candidates will have to be available for the selection process which is expected to take place between the end of March 2023 and the beginning of April 2023 in Brussels, Belgium.
COMPENSATION: candidates shortlisted will be provided with a simulation of the financial package for this post.
Please note that at the time of the interviews, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of their education and professional experience as relevant for this vacancy.
Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate) and approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser.
More information about the recruitment process and conditions of employment, can be found at our website (http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/recruit-hq-e.htm).
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.
Building Integrity is a key element of NATO’s core tasks. As an employer, NATO values commitment to the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability in accordance with international norms and practices established for the defence and related security sector. Selected candidates are expected to be role models of integrity, and to promote good governance through ongoing efforts in their work.
Due to the broad interest in NATO and the large number of potential candidates, telephone or e-mail enquiries cannot be dealt with.
Applicants who are not successful in this competition may be offered an appointment to another post of a similar nature, albeit at the same or a lower grade, provided they meet the necessary requirements.
The nature of this position may require the staff member at times to be called upon to travel for work and/or to work outside normal office hours.
The organization offers several work-life policies including Teleworking and Flexible Working arrangements (Flexitime) subject to business requirements.
Please note that the International Staff at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium is a non-smoking environment.
For information about the NATO Single Salary Scale (Grading, Allowances, etc.) please visit our website. Detailed data is available under the Salary and Benefits tab.
For more information please open this link
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