Vacancy N°: 230077

Location: Brussels, Belgium

Application Deadline: 05-Mar-2023   

1. SUMMARY

The Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy leads the Political Affairs and Security Policy Division. Within the NATO International Staff, the Assistant Secretary General (ASG) is responsible for the policy development of NATO’s partnerships, as well as advising on the political aspects of NATO's security tasks. The Assistant Secretary General (ASG) reports directly to the Secretary General of NATO and advises the Secretary General on Political Affairs and Security Policy issues.

PASP’s broad portfolio is covering the following principal matters:

• General political affairs within NATO;
• Building relationships with:
  • partners in Eastern and South Eastern Europe, including Ukraine;
  • international organisations and institutions, in particular with the European Union, the United Nations, and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe;
  • other Partnership for Peace countries;
  • Mediterranean Dialogue and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative partners from the Middle East and North Africa;
  • Partners across the globe – which includes Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Mongolia, and Colombia; 
• NATO’s Enlargement Policy;
• NATO’s policy with regard to Russia;
• Arms Control, disarmament, and non-proliferation policy  

The ASG will manage the Division (presently approximately 75 staff members, including staff members deployed in NATO’s Liaison Offices abroad) and will be supported by a Deputy.

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 Organization’s senior management, 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

ESSENTIAL
The candidate must:

• have a strong background developed through at least 15 years of experience in political affairs, international relations and security policy;
• have a university degree or equivalent level of qualification in a field relevant for this position;
• have significant people management experience and the capacity to lead, motivate and engage a diverse multidisciplinary team;
• 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 experience facilitating high-level dialogue and consensus;
• have a proven track record of successfully developing key relationships with NATO partner countries, in both bilateral and multinational settings;
• have a proven track record of creating a high-level vision and directing organisations to develop and implement the necessary policies;
• 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).

3. ACCOUNTABILITIES

The ASG/PASP is responsible for managing and directing Political Affairs and Security Policy activities at NATO under the direction of the Secretary General and, on his behalf, the Private Office.

The Assistant Secretary General chairs and co-chairs high-level committees composed of NATO Nations and partners. These committees include the Deputy Permanent Representatives Committee, the Political Committee and the Political and Partnerships Committee. ASG PASP will be called upon to represent the Secretary General at high-level meetings and will speak in public fora and to the Press on behalf of the Secretary General.

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, 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:

• 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.

5. KEY CHALLENGES

Key challenges facing the successful candidate for ASG, PASP during the next 3 years will likely include:

• Support the full implementation of NATO’s 2022 Strategic Concept including by deepening NATO’s partnerships with partners in Eastern and South Eastern Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, and the South, with a 360 degree approach;
• Deepening relationships with the European Union, including enhanced practical cooperation, as well as with the United Nations, and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe;
• Define clear political objectives to guide NATO’s practical security cooperation and military capacity building activities with partners and aspirants for NATO membership.

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.

For more information on how to apply, please click the Apply button.