Senior Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Advisor (m/f/d)

NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organisation is looking for a Senior Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Advisor (m/f/d)

Summary

The Emerging Security Challenges (ESC) Division provides a coordinated approach for NATO to the emerging security challenges of the 21^st Century. It serves as NATO HQ’s focal point for counter-terrorism, cyber, hybrid, energy, data science, innovation and the impact of climate change on security. The Division also promotes security cooperation on these aforementioned challenges through a variety of programmes, in NATO, with Partner nations and with other International Organisations.

Notably, the Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme is a key scientific support programme developing and implementing joint scientific cooperative projects with concrete deliverables between NATO and partners.

It provides a forum for bringing together a network of experts and scientists who will contribute to collectively finding solutions to emerging security challenges through civil cooperation projects. Networks of scientists and experts from allied and partner countries contribute by conducting joint cooperative scientific projects in the following areas of interest: emerging and disruptive technologies (EDTs), counter terrorism, data science, energy security, cyber security and environmental security, including the security impact of climate change.

The Senior Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Advisor manages the Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme.

S/he is responsible for developing, monitoring and implementing the SPS Programme and is responsible for establishing and driving forward the aforementioned multi-stakeholder practical cooperation projects.

Key challenges for the next few years include

1. Updating the key objectives/priorities of the SPS Programme based on the outcome of the NATO 2030 initiative and further develop new projects and work strands that link closely to ongoing work in the innovation and data exploitation unit;
2. Effective management of scientific projects and program management and budgeting thereof;
3. Establishing resilient and robust working relationships with key stakeholders, and academia with regards to the aforementioned new key focus areas.

In addition to the application form, candidates are expected to submit a Word or pdf document, maximum of two A4 pages, summarising their views on the key (and possible other) challenges, and how they would address them if selected for the position.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

The incumbent must:

• possess a university degree in hard science or engineering from a university or institute of recognised standing, or equivalent relevant studies;
• have at least 10 years of relevant experience in similar work, with a focus on security policy and/or international relations, for a national administration or in an international environment, including working experience with academic communities and government institutions in NATO member and partner countries;
• substantive experience in major contemporary international political, politico-military and defence questions, in particular where these relate to scientific cooperation and development;
• have at least 8 years’ experience in the management of scientific or engineering research programmes and possess strong and proven managerial and project management skills;
• be able to draft quickly, clearly and concisely, give convincing presentations and negotiate at senior level;
• be able to chair committees and task forces in a result-oriented manner;
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages: (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one and IV (“Upper-Intermediate”) in the other.

Desirable

The following would be considered an advantage:

• certified project and/or programme management skills;
• post-graduate degree in science;
• experience conducting scientific research;
• professional experience in similar work in a national administration, or international organisation or specialised body.

Main Accountabilities

Policy Development

Support the development of policies relevant for the efficient implementation of the SPS programme. Contribute to the development of policy, strategy and conceptual papers developed by colleagues and Allies.

Expertise Development

Lead and manage the review and evaluation of SPS project proposals.

Chair and manage the Independent Scientific Evaluation Group, consisting of members nominated by nations. Provide advice and recommendations on the SPS programme and relevant cross-cutting issues. Draft speeches, reports, briefing materials, and other items for high-level meetings.

Prepare and present updated progress reports and documents on the SPS Programme activities for national approval. Contribute SPS perspectives to reform initiatives as tasked by senior management.

Knowledge and Information Management

Oversee the information and data management for SPS related projects.

Be responsible for the development and application of assessment tools and techniques. Ensure cross-sectional and divisional collaboration. Enhance coordination and harmonise the different aspects of work.

Project Management

Find opportunities for innovation in the context of SPS and linking to efforts in addressing emerging technologies whilst also helping to manage ongoing projects Apply professional and certified project management skills to the programme.

Stakeholder Management

Maintain and encourage appropriate interactions with other organisations concerned with scientific and security issues. Liaise on a regular basis with NATO Delegations and relevant national administrators to encourage increased participation in SPS projects and to develop new, collaborative projects.

Work with stakeholders at multiple levels (political through to implementers) across the NATO enterprise, with Allied nations, other international organizations, the private sector and academia. With a view to both helping to coordinate the delivery of strategic efforts and seeking new opportunities.

Financial Management

Advise management and stakeholders on funding implications and decisions. Oversee the implementation of grant decisions. Use the ERP and the SPS Grant Management Tool (NAS) in order to maintain an overview of SPS activities, SPS funds and potential disbursements aimed at delivering maximum impact of SPS projects in both NATO and Partner countries. Oversee financial disbursement requests for the programme and projects sponsored by SPS.

People Management

Ensure the proper management and coherent tasking of human resources in the SPS team, also of those SPS team members, which are embedded, in other functional teams of the division.

Representation of the Organization

Initiate dialogue on collaborative research, furthering efforts in areas relevant to emerging and disruptive technologies and other agreed key priority areas. Liaise with national administrations and international organisations and exchange information on policy and programme planning and evaluation.

Represent NATO at international conferences, seminars and workshops. Organise, prepare and give presentations to senior government officials. Present and communicate in co-operation with the NATO Public Diplomacy Division (PDD), the entire programme to the public. Organise events, and information days in NATO and partner countries, as needed.

Project Management

Develop, coordinate, implement, monitor and report on SPS projects. Verify that the responsible parties complete project and programme phases on time. Ensure post-evaluation of projects, in line with IBAN requirements.

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

Interrelationships

The incumbent reports to the DASG/ESC. S/he will represent the SPS Programme to Nations and to Committees and therefore will be considered an authority on SPS subject matter. In addition, s/he will be required to work with and to seek out the cooperation of a diverse group of highly specialised experts and to coordinate SPS Programme and projects with other institutions and organisations. Finally, s/he will be required to handle the administrative and financial tasks that derive from managing the Programme.