Head, Talent and Organisational Development (m/f/d)

NATO is looking to recruit a Head of Talent and Organisational Development (m/f/d)

Within the Executive Management Division (EM), NATO’s International Staff (IS) Human Resources (HR) Directorate is comprised of three pillars: Talent Management and HR Integration (TMHRI) (talent acquisition, talent and organisational development and HR business partnership); Staff Services (pay, pensions, insurance and other benefits); and HR Policy and Strategy Coordination (IS and NATO-wide HR policy).

Within TMHRI, the Talent Management and Organisational Development (TOD) Service is responsible for developing the NATO International Staff talent and organisational capabilities through dedicated functions and programmes. In particular, it provides expertise and consultancy in the areas of organisational design, organisational development and job classification; it delivers on the learning and development agenda; and it manages the Performance Review and Development (PRD) system and the Surge Capacity Coordination.

The incumbent is responsible for the effective operation and management of the Service. S/He will guide and oversee the implementation of Organisational Design and Development (ODD), Talent Development and Surge Capacity policies in line with the strategic objectives of the Organization. S/He will also ensure that HR Advisers (HRAs) receive expert guidance and support in all areas related to TOD. The incumbent manages and leads the activities of a team and their operations, projects and programmes as well as a number of outsourced contracts with external providers.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

The incumbent must:

• possess a university degree or equivalent level of qualification, preferably in Human Resources Management or related field;
• have at least 5 years’ relevant professional experience, preferably in the areas of Strategic Human Resources Management, Talent Management, or Organisational Design and Development;
• have at least 3 years’ experience in leading a diverse team in a multicultural environment;
• have experience in managing broad portfolio of functions and programs;
• have experience in developing, implementing and overseeing HR policies;
• have in-depth knowledge in Human Resource concepts and theories related to talent management, organisational design and development and change management;
• have experience in managing programmes, related budgets and outsourced services;
• have excellent communications and drafting skills;
• have excellent networking and negotiation skills;
• demonstrate strong drive for teamwork, inclusivity and customer focus;
• demonstrate tact, discretion and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive staff issues;
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; II (“Elementary”) in the other.

Desirable

The following would be considered an advantage:

• a graduate degree (Masters or Ph.D.) in a related field;
• successful completion of a recognised national or international executive development programme;
• experience working for a national government, the public sector or an International Organisation
• experience as a senior user for functional HR Information Systems
• fluency in both NATO Official languages;
• experience in a field of NATO core business (international relations, political affairs, defence, security…) and/or a functional area of other HR clients (e.g. IT, finance, construction and general services, etc.).

Main Accountabilities

Planning and Execution

Support the development of TOD policies for the International Staff, and other NATO entities as appropriate in the context of HR Shared Services. Coordinate with the HR policy unit to ensure that policies are regularly adapted to reflect organisational strategies. Ensure these policies are correctly applied. Oversee the guidance provided to staff, management and leadership on Talent Development programmes and initiatives. Ensure that Learning and Development offerings are

developed, implemented and communicated effectively. Ensure the proper management of flagship talent development programmes (in particular coaching and executive development programmes). Oversee management studies and provide written and oral advice and recommendations on establishment levels, job classification, organisational structures, working methods and management processes. Oversee the internal Surge Capacity coordination.

Stakeholder Management

Ensure support is provided to HRAs on topics under the purview of TOD. Develop relations with internal and external service providers. Set standards of performance for providers and regularly assess that they remain fit-for-purpose to meet the current and future needs of the Organization. Collaborate with peers in other organisations and NATO entities to leverage experiences in the functional areas of responsibility.

Organisational Efficiencies

Find opportunities for innovation and apply new technologies to reduce administrative work and maximise efficiency as appropriate. Update policies as needed. Be responsible for some NATO- wide flagship programmes, notably the Organization’s executive development programme (NEDP). Ensure the effective resourcing (budget and people) of the talent development programmes and initiatives.

People Management

Provide guidance, supervise and lead a diverse team. Provide tasking and oversight for their projects and ensure they deliver on projects assigned to them. Coordinate and supervise the work of cross-functional project teams as required. Oversee external contractors and consultants.

Provide advice and guidance in sensitive cases. Provide in-depth mentoring, coaching and training opportunities and be available to offer guidance at critical moments. Ensure that all staff under her/his responsibility are clear on Organisational, Divisional, Directorate and Section objectives. Provide regular and fair feedback on performance, informally as appropriate and via the HQ Performance Review and Development (PRD) system. Identify possible development and mobility opportunities for team members. Promote integrity, professionalism and accountability through a sound and inclusive leadership culture.

Project Management

Manage projects and programmes under TOD’s functional responsibility. Act as senior user for the implementation of relevant IT applications (in the context of the further implementation of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution or bespoke functional applications). Plan, deliver or facilitate requested offsite events, coaching or workshops as needed.

Financial Management

Oversee – including planning, requesting, prioritising, and tracking – the TOD budget and all related expenditures. Efficiently manage contracts with external service providers.
Perform any other related duty as assigned.

Interrelationships

The incumbent reports to the Head, Talent Management and HR Integration and may replace her/him in her/his absence. S/He works in close collaboration with HR teams, the HR Advisers, the IS staff, managers and leaders on topics related to TOD. S/He will also collaborate on a regular basis with external service providers and other NATO entities.
Direct reports: 5
Indirect reports: 1

Competencies

The incumbent must demonstrate:

• Achievement: Creates own measures of excellence and improves performance;
• Change Leadership: Personally leads change;
• Clarity and Accuracy: Monitors data or projects;
• Conceptual Thinking: Applies learned concepts;
• Flexibility: Adapts own strategy;
• Impact and Influence: Takes multiple actions to persuade;
• Initiative: Plans and acts up to a year ahead;
• Leadership: Promotes team effectiveness;
• Organisational Awareness: Understands organisational climate and culture;
• Self-Control: Responds calmly.

Contract

Contract to be offered to the successful applicant (if non-seconded): Definite duration contract of three years; possibility of renewal for up to three years, during which the incumbent may apply for conversion to an indefinite duration contract.

Contract clause applicable:

In accordance with the contract policy, this is a post in which turnover is desirable for political reasons in order to be able to accommodate the Organisation’s need to carry out its tasks as mandated by the Nations in a changing environment, for example by maintaining the flexibility necessary to shape the Organisation’s skills profile, and to ensure appropriate international diversity.

The maximum period of service foreseen in this post is 6 years. The successful applicant will be offered a 3-year definite duration contract, which may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years. However, according to the procedure described in the contract policy the incumbent may apply for conversion to an indefinite contract during the period of renewal and no later than one year before the end of contract.

If the successful applicant is seconded from the national administration of one of NATO’s member States, a 3-year definite duration contract will be offered, which may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years subject also to the agreement of the national authority concerned. The maximum period of service in the post as a seconded staff member is six years.

Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Régulations.

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:

• For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal (link);
• For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment

Please note that the competition for this post is provisionally scheduled as follows: Pre-selection testing in the beginning of May 2022; Final selection in the first weeks of June 2022.

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.