Ref: 240993

Location: Brussels, Belgium

Deadline: 31-Aug-2024

Salary (Pay Basis): 12,036.52 EUR Monthly

Grade G23

Contract: 3-year

 

SUMMARY

NATO’s Public Diplomacy efforts serve a vital function within the Alliance by communicating its purpose and priorities to audiences worldwide. In fulfilling this role, the Public Diplomacy Division (PDD) actively strengthens NATO’s public image, thereby fostering trust in and support for the Alliance. The Division also acts as coordinator for strategic communication activities across all NATO civilian and military bodies and commands.

The Deputy Assistant Secretary General (DASG) supports the Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy (ASG PDD) in the definition, implementation and continuous improvement of NATO strategic communications.

In addition to managing communication efforts, the DASG will assist the ASG PDD in the overall management of the Division and is required to deputise for the ASG at the North Atlantic Council (NAC) or other meetings. They will be a communicator at heart, passionate about the relevance of communications in today’s world and the use of information as a NATO non-military instrument of power. In addition, they will be a caring manager with a focus on the teams’ efficient collaboration and well-being.

As part of the Public Diplomacy Division’s executive team, they are expected to work closely with colleagues in the formulation of communication strategies, policies and delivery mechanisms for a wide range of NATO issues. Additionally, they will be expected to chair committees as well as facilitate dialogue and consensus building on a broad basis. They will demonstrate a positive and optimistic attitude, with a solutions-oriented approach. They will value actively listening, engaging with staff members and spending time with individual teams. They will empower teams, encouraging a community management approach and promote PDD’s contributions to NATO’s mission. They will engage with a vast number of internal and external stakeholders to best promote individual work strands to external audiences. They will work with stakeholders across NATO, to determine best PDD solutions to promote the Alliance’s work. They oversee the work, coordination, activities and interactions of close to 100 International Staff (IS) within PDD.

Key challenges facing the successful candidate during the next 3 years will include: Progressing on all issues related to change management and ensuring that the Division’s human and financial resources are used to best effect in the communications sphere;

• Progressing on all issues related to change management and ensuring that the Division’s human and financial resources are used to best effect in the communications sphere;

• Driving forward coordination between PDD teams to effectively counter hostile information and disinformation, enhance NATO’s situational awareness and ensure insights are used to inform external communications; 

• Widening NATO’s outreach to audiences across member countries, partner countries and globally through tailored communications campaigns and branding activities, based on clear performance indicators to measure success.

In addition to the application form, candidates are expected to submit a Word or pdf document summarising their views on the key challenges, and how they would address them if selected for the position. This essay will be evaluated as part of the longlisting assessment (see full instructions on how to apply below “7. Recruitment Process”).

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

The incumbent must:

• hold an advanced university degree in communications, public relations, international relations, political science or related fields from an institute of recognised standing;

• have 15 years of relevant experience in progressively responsible positions, out of which 5 years in team management and coordination;

• have experience in managing and coordinating teams’ implementation of communications and outreach activities through multiple channels, in a dynamic environment;

• have the capacity to lead, inspire and engage a diverse and multidisciplinary team in fast paced environments;

• possess experience in leading change management projects;

• have experience in strategic planning;

• have excellent public speaking skills;

• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; II (“Elementary”) in the other;

• be willing to travel frequently and work outside of official working hours as required.

DESIRABLE

The following would be considered an advantage:

• knowledge and interest in international efforts to counter hostile information and disinformation;

• knowledge and interest in outreach to international audiences through all forms of communications, including digital and civil society engagement;

• knowledge and interest in the development of tailored communications campaigns and measurement of impact;

• have solid knowledge of security and defence issues and the ability to steer communications for non-specialised audiences;

• higher level in both of NATO’s official languages (English/French) and/or knowledge of additional languages.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Stakeholder Management

Work closely with the ASG, and the PDD Section Heads to ensure the harmonisation of efforts. Maintain strong working relations with stakeholders across NATO, national delegations, capitals and external stakeholders. Chair NATO committees to address communications topics.

Expertise Development

Remain informed on current and future security challenges (e.g. military, political, and diplomatic), the information environment and developments in communications trends. Drive an innovative approach to communications, while taking into account security and defence issues relevant to NATO.

Financial Management

Oversee management of the PDD budget, including civil society grants, contracts with communications agencies and communications-related capability development. Approve budget requests for programmes and projects in the respective areas. Engage with NATO stakeholders and brief relevant committees on budgetary matters.

Planning and Execution

Coordinate the activities of the Public Diplomacy Division Sections to promote an integrated approach to communications planning and execution. Drive coordinated forward-planning to help strengthen NATO’s public image, while remaining ready to adapt in a fast-moving environment. Support coordinating strategic communication activities across all NATO civilian and military bodies and commands.

Representation of the Organization

Assist or represent the ASG in meetings of relevant senior staff meetings, committees, task forces, working groups, etc. Brief groups of senior officials visiting NATO HQ. Represent NATO at seminars, conferences and other events.

Represent the Organization in different fora, including seminars, conferences, speaking engagements or official visits. Adapt and tailor the presentation to the needs and expectations of the audience.

Organisational Efficiencies

Ensure continuous improvement through change management and that human and financial resources are most efficiently used in the Public Diplomacy Division.

People Management

Manage and oversee the work, coordination, activities and interactions of close to 100 International Staff (IS) within PDD. Support the conception of career and development programmes tailored to the specific organisational context. Provide mentoring, coaching and training opportunities and be available to offer guidance at critical moments. Ensure that all staff under the responsibility have a clear Organisational, Divisional, Directorate and Section objectives. Provide regular and fair feedback on performance, informally as appropriate and through the HQ Performance Review and Development (PRD) system. Identify possible development and mobility opportunities for team members.

Policy Development

Oversee the Public Diplomacy Division’s development of policies, including to counter hostile information and disinformation. Oversee the Public Diplomacy Division’s contributions to policy areas with communications implications led by other NATO divisions such as deterrence and defence, hybrid threats, security policy and partnerships.

Vision and Direction

Act as a key contributor to shaping PDD’s vision, direction and outreach strategies. Determine clear work priorities, steer effective implementation by all teams and ensure continuous adaptation in line with evolving priorities.

Project Management

Lead the overall management of the Division. Oversee teams responsible for managing a wide range of campaign and outreach activities to audiences across NATO member countries, partner countries and globally. Ensure continuous evaluation of impact based on clear performance indicators.

Knowledge Management

Ensure that NATO’s policies and objectives are effectively communicated, widely understood and developed in accordance with Alliance objectives. Promote proper Information Knowledge Management (IKM) within PDD to facilitate coordination and ensure efficient access to information, in line with NATO standards. Perform any other related duty as assigned.

 

INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The incumbent is the principal adviser on communications matters to the ASG PDD, with whom they report to and have daily close working contact. They maintain close working contacts with the NATO Spokesperson, Director and Deputy Directors of the Secretary General’s Private Office, the other DASGs and other key members of the IS. They also cooperate closely with the NATO Military Authorities at working and senior levels. Additionally, they establish and maintain close working relationships with national delegations to NATO, including Partner missions, as well as with national officials in capitals who are responsible for the areas of work falling under their purview. Fostering productive relationships with civil society will also be key, including parliamentarians, NGOs and academics.

Direct reports: 5

Indirect reports: 95

 

COMPETENCIES

The incumbent must demonstrate:

• Achievement: Demonstrates decisiveness based on solid considerations and trade-offs;

• Change Leadership: Champions change;

• Conceptual Thinking: Creates new concepts;

• Developing Others: Provides in-depth mentoring, coaching and training;

• Impact and Influence: Uses complex influence strategies;

• Initiative: Plans and acts for the long-term;

• Leadership: Communicates a compelling vision;

• Organisational Awareness: Understands underlying issues;

• Self-Control: Stays composed and positive even under extreme pressure.

Candidates are requested to attach their essay to their application on Taleo, by latest 31 August 2024, 23h59 (CET Brussels time).

 

For more information on how to apply, please click the Apply button.