Officer, Crisis Response Systems and Exercises

1.       SUMMARY

 The mission of the Operations Division (OPS) of the International Staff is to prepare NATO for the defence of Alliance territory, to respond to crises at home and abroad, and to strengthen the capabilities of partners. The Operations Division advances the core tasks of the Alliance (Collective Defence, Crisis Management, Cooperative Security) by providing situational awareness, advance planning, well-exercised and executed crisis response, and outcome-oriented defence and related security cooperation programmes.

Within the OPS Division, the Crisis Response Systems and Exercises (CRSE) Section provides direction and coordination on the elaboration of the Alliance’s crisis management and response system policy, organisation and procedures; high level exercising; and Alliance lessons learned policy.

The incumbent will assist the Head, Crisis Response Systems and Exercises (CRSE) Section in the preparation of advice and recommendations to the Council Operations and Exercise Committee (COEC) and associated bodies, with regard to lessons identified. In addition, they will support the development, co-ordination, planning, conduct and after-action reporting to the Council on high-level crisis management exercises, short notice exercises as well as scenario-based discussions. This may also include the maintenance, revision and operation of the NATO Response System (NRS), and the maintenance and improvement of operating procedures for crisis management at NATO Headquarters (HQ).

2.       QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

The incumbent must:

• have a university degree from an institute of recognised standing;
• have at least 8 years of experience at the strategic level in the crisis management field;
• have a broad knowledge and understanding of current international events impacting the security of the Euro-Atlantic area;
• have recent, experience in coordinating political-military activities particularly in the field of crisis management;
• demonstrate knowledge of the Alliance’s political and military consultative processes and their related policies and procedures;
• demonstrate knowledge of conceptual and operational aspects of NATO’s deterrence and defence;
• have excellent communication skills both oral and written, providing coordinated policy advice and recommendations;
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; II (“Elementary”) in the other;
• be flexible and willing to travel and to work outside of usual working hours at short notice.

DESIRABLE

The following would be considered an advantage:

• experience working for a national administration or International Organisation on multilateral security affairs;
• familiarity with the interrelationships between NATO HQ, the NATO Strategic Commanders, national authorities in the capitals of member countries of the Alliance and the EU, and of other countries that have a formal relationship with NATO such as Partnership for Peace (PfP), Mediterranean Dialogue (MD), Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI), and partners across the Globe;
• knowledge of other International Organisations, such as the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU) and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE);
• knowledge of, and experience in dealing with, other non-NATO countries.

3.       MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES           

Project Management

Provide effective and timely advice, draft proposals and recommendations, to support the North Atlantic Council-level exercising of the NRS. Maintain and improve the general crisis management operating procedures for NATO HQ. Liaise closely with the International Military Staff (IMS), Chief Situation Centre and the Strategic Commands (SCs), as well as Alliance training establishments and national crisis management bodies, regarding Alliance crisis management policy, procedures and arrangements in support of the above. Contribute to the organisation and running of associated conferences, meetings and training activities.

Policy Development

Coordinate and draft papers, briefs and recommendations on Lessons Learned, and crisis management procedural policy in support of the effective maintenance of the NRS and high-level exercising for consideration in the appropriate allied conferences, the COEC, the Operations Policy Committee (OPC), the Civil Emergency Planning Committee (CEPC), as well as the Council and Defence Policy Planning Committee (DPPC) and other committees, as required.

Stakeholder Management

Develop contacts and cooperation in support of the conduct of political/military activities in designed to cooperate with International Organisations, and to enhance partner countries’ crisis management capabilities and cooperation and to support such activities conducted within such countries through the preparation and coordination of expert meetings and visits.

Representation of the Organization

Present briefings to senior national and NATO, partner and other non-NATO countries' and International Organisations’ civil and military officials and groups on NATO crisis management. Provide a point of contact, within NATO and with other organisations and countries, for enhancing interaction with other International Organisations on issues related to crisis management and related activities. Represent NATO interests in an international environment by remaining informed and attending relevant conferences, when required.

Expertise Development

Apply background expertise and be prepared to provide recommendations for, and undertake activities designed towards, improving understanding and expertise in the field of international crisis management.

Knowledge Management

In cooperation with various stakeholders (inside and outside NATO, as required) develop, enhance and shape knowledge related to crisis management, high level exercising, and lessons learned to improve awareness of the Alliance and of international actors.

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

4.       INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The incumbent reports to the Section Head, CRSE and, through them, to the Director Operations. They work in close liaison with other sections of the Operations Directorate, and with the Operations and Plans Division of the IMS. They also coordinate with other Divisions of the International Staff, the International Military Staff, the Situation Centre, the NATO Strategic Commands and national delegations, as necessary and be prepared to establish appropriate coordination with other non-NATO entities when so directed.

Direct reports: N/a

Indirect reports: N/a

5.       COMPETENCIES

The incumbent must demonstrate:

• Achievement: Creates own measures of excellence and improves performance;
• Analytical Thinking: Sees multiple relationships;
• Change Leadership: Expresses vision for change;
• Impact and Influence: Uses indirect influence;
• Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation;
• Organisational Awareness: Understands organisational politics;
• Teamwork: Solicits inputs and encourages others;