NOTIFICATION OF AN A GRADE VACANCY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ORGANIZATION CENTRE FOR MARITIME RESEARCH AND EXPERIMENTATION

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1 NOTIFICATION OF AN A GRADE VACANCY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ORGANIZATION CENTRE FOR MARITIME RESEARCH AND EXPERIMENTATION OPEN TO NATIONALS OF NATO MEMBER STATES ONLY LOCATION: La Spezia, Italy DIVISION: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ORGANIZATION CENTRE FOR MARITIME RESEARCH AND EXPERIMENTATION TITLE: Director of the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation GRADE: A7 SECURITY CLEARANCE: NATO COSMIC TOP SECRET VACANCY N : Please note that the competition for this post is provisionally scheduled as follows: - Possible pre-selective test between 23 and 27 January 2017; - Final selection on 6, 7 and 8 March 2017, in Brussels, Belgium SUMMARY The Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) is an executive body of the NATO Science & Technology Organization (STO) and is governed by the NATO Science & Technology Board (STB), in line with the STO Charter. The CMRE organizes and conducts scientific research and technology development and delivers innovative, field-tested S&T solutions to address the defence and security needs of the Alliance. The mission of the CMRE is centred on the maritime domain and, conformant with the STB policy guidance, may extend into other domains to meet customers demands. The CMRE is financed through customer funding. Customers comprise NATO Bodies, NATO Nations, and other parties, consistent with NATO policies. The CMRE operates in a challenging international environment, interacting with a broad range of stakeholders from military, political and scientific orientations. -1-

2 2. RESPONSIBILITIES The CMRE Director is directly responsible to the STB for the effective and efficient running of the Centre. The CMRE Director, acting on behalf of NATO, is authorized to perform the legal actions essential to the CMRE s operation. Within the policy and regulations established by NATO and by the STB, and within the framework of the STO Charter, he/she will have broad authority, exercised either personally or through appropriate delegation, to direct the CMRE. More specifically, the CMRE Director is responsible to the STB for: The operations of the CMRE, even in the case where he/she has delegated a portion of his/her authority; Carrying out, within its area of responsibility, the decisions of the STB and implementing its policies and guidance; Appropriately reporting the execution of the decisions of the STB using the proper channels; Planning, in coherence with the CMRE mission, the activities required to organize and conduct scientific research and technology development and deliver innovative and field-tested S&T solutions to address the defence and security needs of the Alliance; Providing advisory support, as directed by the Chief Scientist, to the STB in its strategic roles, in particular for implementing the coordinated long-term NATO S&T Strategy, generating NATO S&T Priorities and for the contribution of the STO to the defence planning process; Contributing to S&T-based knowledge brokering in support of the Chief Scientist in his/her role of senior scientific advisor; Submitting business cycle documents, consistent with agreed direction and guidance; Preparing and submitting an annual report to the STB on the activities and performance of the CMRE, including the execution of the Programme of Work and the attainment of the Centre s objectives; Contributing to elaborating and implementing the STO Policies and Directives; Contributing to partnerships and other officially established NATO programmes; Approving the release of publications and technical documents developed in the framework of the CMRE Programme. Selecting, appointing and releasing the necessary personnel to fill positions within the personnel establishment. Providing to the STB, an annual review of CMRE staff structures and levels, with special attention to international military personnel. 3. ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS The incumbent must: Demonstrate experience in change leadership; Demonstrate entrepreneurial and business development skills; Demonstrate significant experience (at least 10 years) in successively higher levels of managerial responsibilities culminating in the leadership of entities or activities -2-

3 comparable to CMRE size, with 183 personnel and M in 2016, operating in the public or private sector; Demonstrate experience in the leadership and management of a highly qualified workforce and sophisticated technological assets in S&T organizations of recognized national or international standing; Demonstrate the ability to create and maintain a network of contacts and relationships for the benefit of the organization; Demonstrate strategic and innovative thinking; Hold a university degree or an equivalent qualification; Have experience working in a multinational environment or an environment with a variety of stakeholders from multi-cultural backgrounds; Be fluent in English, both oral and written; the work of the CMRE is conducted primarily in the English language. 4. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS The following qualifications would be considered an advantage: An advanced university degree; Leadership experience in the defence sector. Experience as a seasoned professional in science, technology, research and development with a solid international reputation. Demonstrated record of leading successful organizational transformation; Senior-level experience in implementation of innovation in the maritime domain; Experience in leading successful customer-funded organizations; Experience with accountability to government administrations; Knowledge of additional languages; 5. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES Vision and direction Sets a strategic vision, establishes challenging goals, and achieves useful results in the overall context of volatile budgets and dynamic requirements. Ensures follow-up and implementation. Identifies further business opportunities. Organisational Efficiencies Ensures continued efficiency of on-going and new programmes. Guarantees flexibility and capability of programmes to timely respond to customers emerging requirements. Develops clear lines of communication to facilitate collaboration, communication and transparency of activities. Identifies, plans and implements initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, effectiveness and savings across all areas of the Centre. Planning and Execution Exercises responsibility for the efficient performance of the CMRE. Exercises contracting authority delegated to him/her by the STB. Manages the overall day-to-day business of the Centre. Prepares management plans, drafts budgets and financial statements for CMRE. Implements the activities, including risk management and contract audit, to achieve the cost, -3-

4 schedule and performance objectives. Evaluates, establishes and adjusts priorities. Makes decisions, and assumes full accountability for actions and decisions taken. Policy Development Issues guidance for the policy development related to the Centre s activity. Attends meetings of the STB and provides expert inputs. Oversees the proper and timely implementation of cohesive financial resources policies, procurement and related processes. Business Plan and Financial Plan Management Supervises the development and the implementation of the business and financial plans for the Centre. Representation of the Organization Represents the Centre within NATO and outside. Engages with industry on contractual or business development issues relating to the Centre s area of activity. Expertise Development Provides senior assistance, advice and recommendation for his/her staff. Motivates subject matter experts under his/her direct authority to describe, explain and share their knowledge with others within the Centre. Communication Communicates complex concepts, strategies, and policies clearly and concisely; targeting a broad audience. Stakeholder Management Interacts at senior level with Allies and Partner s delegations and Industry in seeking to develop consensus positions or discuss aspects of political issues under consideration at NATO. Establishes and maintains close working relations with national delegations to NATO, including those of Partner nations. Develops and maintains long-term relationships with stakeholders, partners, and sponsors. Builds relationships with senior representatives of the STO, NATO nations and other bodies. Has regular professional contact at the senior management levels of all the Centre s stakeholders. People Management Directs and oversees the activities of the Centre and effectively leads and manages a diverse multinational staff, leading an international staff of approximately 160 people. Provides in-depth mentoring, coaching and training opportunities and provides regular and fair feedback on performance. Is available to offer guidance at critical moments. Selects and appoints the civilian personnel and integrates military personnel as per Manpower Policy and Procedures. Ensures that all Centre staff has a clear understanding of the Centre s objectives. 6. COMPETENCIES Candidates must demonstrate the following competencies: Achievement Change Leadership Conceptual Thinking Developing Others Impact and Influence -4-

5 Initiative Leadership Organisational Awareness Self-Control 7. TRAVEL The incumbent will be subject to frequent business travel to NATO and national facilities. He/she may be required to undertake duty travel to operational theatres inside and outside NATO boundaries. 8. WORKING ENVIRONMENT The working environment is a normal office environment. Regular travel to NATO HQ, NATO Strategic Commands, STO venues, and national engagements is expected. Occasionally, the incumbent may be required to voyage on one of the Centre s Research Vessels. 9. CONTRACT The incumbent will be offered a definite duration contract of three years. At the discretion of the STB, a contract extension for a further period not exceeding three years may be exceptionally considered. NATO s Secretary General will appoint the selected candidate. 10. HOW TO APPLY: Applications must be submitted using one of the following links, as applicable: For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal (for more information, please contact your local Civilian HR Manager); For all other applications: KEY CHALLENGES: Key challenges facing the successful candidate for Director, CMRE during the next 3 years will likely include: A. Leading and managing an efficient and effective organization which is responsive to customer requirements and recognized for its technical competencies. B. Sustaining the Centre s technical expertise and critical infrastructure to retain its standing as a source of world-class research and experimentation capabilities, particularly at a time when budgets are under scrutiny. C. Expanding the Centre s customer base to ensure continued viability while retaining focus on NATO needs. -5-

6 D. Establishing and maintaining strong relationship with the NATO Science & Technology Organization, in particular the NATO Science & Technology Board and the NATO Chief Scientist, as well as relevant stakeholders in NATO Headquarters, Allied Command Transformation, NATO Member Nations and Partner Nations. Candidates are asked, to attach a document of maximum 4 pages to their application, to summarise their views on the key (and possible other) challenges, and how they would address them if selected for the position. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: NATO as employer values diverse backgrounds and perspectives and is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and talented workforce. NATO welcomes applications of nationals from all Member States and strongly encourages women to apply. Due to the broad interest in NATO and the large number of potential candidates, telephone or enquiries cannot be dealt with. 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. Applicants who are not successful in this competition may be offered an appointment to another post of a similar nature, albeit at the same or a lower grade, provided they meet the necessary requirements. Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries. The nature of this position may require the staff member at times to be called upon to travel for work and/or to work outside normal office hours. The organization offers several work-life policies including Teleworking and Flexible Working arrangements (Flexitime) subject to business requirements. Please note that the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation Centre in La Spezia, Italy is a non-smoking environment. -6-