1. SUMMARY
The Defence Investment (DI) Division is responsible for facilitating the development and adoption of cutting-edge, innovative and interoperable capabilities, critical to ensuring the Alliance’s ability to undertake the full spectrum of missions and operations. Key lines of effort include:
• leading the development of major complex capability programmes in the land, maritime, air and space domains – including on Air and Missile Defence, Alliance Future Surveillance and Control capability (follow on to AWACS), Air Command and Control (Air C2), Joint Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (JISR) assets and other critical Consultation, Command & Control (C3) networks – and in doing so addressing all policy, political-military, technical and practical aspects;
• leading NATO’s policy and engagements in the aviation domain;
• pursuing interoperability through prioritised standardisation efforts, developing with Allies new approaches to operational challenges, supported by a commitment to operational experimentation and innovation;
• maintaining the Alliance’s technological edge through exploring and driving adoption of emerging and disruptive technologies, with a particular focus on autonomous systems;
• facilitating multinational cooperation in capability development through a series of specific initiatives tackling critical capability requirements;
• understanding, adapting to, and pro-actively addressing climate change;
• informing and responding to the Alliance’s evolving capability needs through the NATO Defence Planning;
• providing oversight to NATO Agencies involved in capability development and delivery (in particular NATO Communication and Information Agency and NATO Support and Procurement Agency)
• working with a range of key stakeholders within NATO including the Strategic Commands and externally with NATO Partners and relevant international and regional organisations including the EU, as well as with industry and academia.
The Armament and Aerospace Capabilities Directorate (A&A Cap) supports consensus decision making at NATO Headquarters on a wide range of joint, land, air & space, and maritime capabilities required for the full range of the Alliance’s missions. To that end, it provides relevant advice to NATO Committees and the Organization’s senior management. In particular, the Directorate supports the work of the Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD), the Aviation Committee (AVC), the Integrated Air and Missile Defence Committee (IAMD (PC)) and their subordinate structures. Specific responsibilities include policy and capability development and delivery, support and oversight of pol-mil aspects and programs in the areas of Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD), Joint Intelligence, Reconnaissance, Surveillance (JISR), Aerospace Capabilities, as well as multinational armaments cooperation and projects.
The Aerospace Capabilities Section is responsible for all matters related to air armaments, airspace policy, airspace integration, Air Traffic Management (ATM), and provides support for the International Staff (IS), International Military Staff (IMS), National Military Authorities (NMAs), NATO bodies and Agencies, including the AVC, the CNAD and their sub-structures, including the NATO Air Force Armament Group (NAFAG) activities. The Section acts as NATO’s primary interface with international aviation organisations. It provides policy guidance and development on aerospace capabilities, manned aircraft and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), ATM and airport issues in support of NATO missions and operations through a Total Systems Approach to Aviation (TSAA). It oversees NATO ATM standardisation; supports implementation of the NATO Airworthiness Policy; consolidates requirements on civil-military co-ordination and interoperability; evaluates the impact of the new aviation developments on NATO capability; contributes to the fostering of security; liaises closely with NMAs and promotes co-operation and partnership.
The Officer supports the Head of Section in all Section activities. In particular, he/she will be one of the senior experts assisting the Section’s Head, and the Director of A&ACap in their role of NATO Airworthiness Executive (NAE), in fulfilling the implementation and ensuring the execution of the NATO Airworthiness Policy. Under the supervision of the Head of Section, the Officer will support relevant NATO Committees and Groups providing expert advice, developing relevant policy papers and serving as Chair or Secretary as needed. He/she will also participate in meetings of other International Organisations as required.
2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL
The incumbent must:
• be an aeronautical engineer specialised in aircraft airworthiness and certified graduate of a University, College, Institute or Military Academy of recognised standing;
• have at least 8 years’ of proven professional experience in a technical aeronautical environment, with at least 3 years of experience in a Military Airworthiness Authority, including all aspects of airworthiness;
• have a comprehensive knowledge of a total aviation safety system, with experience in its main areas, including manned aircraft and RPAS, airfields and ATM.
• have experience and a demonstrated ability to work in an international environment and prepare and present briefings to military and civilian audiences at all levels;
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other.
DESIRABLE
The following would be considered an advantage:
• a post graduate degree in a relevant field;
• a good knowledge of the civil and military structure of the Alliance and also of NATO policy, organisation and procedures;
• experience in the military air domain, including the procurement programmes of military capabilities.
3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES
Policy Development
Follow closely NATO political and military developments and the continuous evolution of civil and military aviation, airworthiness processes and aeronautical technologies to contribute, specifically, to the application of NATO Airworthiness Policy (NAWP) and the implementation of the processes for the collective recognition of national civil and military airworthiness authorities of NATO members States, Partners and other countries potentially contributing to future Alliance missions and operations. Coordinate the implementation of agreed policies including the impact and relevance to other policy documents; follow and advise bodies in the military and civil arena on relevant airworthiness and certification activities.
Expertise Development
Assist, where airworthiness aspects are addressed, in the preparation of specialist documents dealing with all aspects of NATO involvement in airworthiness and other related matters in support of the development of policies and strategies to promote and safeguard the safety and efficiency of NATO’s aerospace capabilities. Assist the AVC and its subordinate Airworthiness Advisory Group (AWAG) to take the necessary follow-up action to implement decisions in the areas of airworthiness.
Representation of the Organization
Participate in meetings and activities of NATO and non-NATO bodies following airworthiness issues, including meetings of relevant civil and military International Organisations and agencies (i.e. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), European Defence Agency (EDA)) on behalf of the Directorate, as required. Support the activities of the AWAG and the processes for the collective recognition of national civil and military airworthiness authorities. Act as Chair or Secretary of related bodies.
Project Management
Work in close coordination and cooperation with NATO Nations and military authorities, and assist the NAE, and the Head of the Aerospace Capabilities Section in his capacity of NAE Office Head, in the implementation of NATO’s Airworthiness Policy to ensure that an airworthiness related materiel risk process exists for all aeronautical products, parts and appliances provided on behalf of NATO, within the scope of the Policy. Therefore, this work includes activities in the framework of Interoperability Platform, Partnership for Peace, Mediterranean Dialogue, Istanbul Cooperation Initiative and all other cooperation programmes of the Alliance.
Stakeholder Management
Establish and maintain a broad network of contacts inside and outside NATO and ensure that systemic mechanisms are established to coordinate among UAS, airworthiness and ATM stakeholders. In particular, close contacts will be maintained with the Military Airworthiness Authorities (MAWA) forum, sponsored by EDA, and with the Air Force Interoperability Council (AFIC).
Knowledge Management
Work closely with the administrative staff and ensure that documents are distributed in a timely manner to stakeholders and customers. Periodically review extant documents for currency and relevance, initiating corrective action when appropriate. Assist in the maintenance of relevant web pages.
Information Management
Coordinate and assist in the development and implementation of policy documents dealing with all aspects of the Section’s activities.
Perform any other related duty as assigned.
4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS
The incumbent reports to the Head of the Aerospace Capabilities Section. He/she will establish and maintain a good working relationship with members of the National Delegations, other members of IS, representatives of IMS, NMAs and NATO Agencies. It will also be necessary to work closely with the staffs of various international aviation organisations, especially ICAO, FAA, EDA and EASA.
Direct reports: N/a
Indirect reports: N/a.
5. COMPETENCIES
The incumbent must demonstrate:
• Analytical Thinking: Makes complex plans or analyses;
• Clarity and Accuracy: Checks own work;
• Conceptual Thinking: Applies learned concepts;
• Customer Service Orientation: Takes personal responsibility for correcting problems;
• Impact and Influence: Takes multiple actions to persuade;
• Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation;
• Organisational Awareness: Understands organisational climate and culture;
• Teamwork: Solicits inputs and encourages others.
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.