Keywords:
Security Professionals
Type:
Permanent employment
Location:
Den Haag
Education:
Master (EQF 7)
Published:
08/04/2019
Status:
Open
Apply before:
20/08/2019
Hours p/wk:
40

Description:

Our Organisation

Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCB) is one of two operational-level military Headquarters (HQs) in NATO – the other being JFC Naples. Our HQ is located in Brunssum, in the most southern part of The Netherlands.

Joint Force Command Brunssum provides a Joint headquarters to plan, prepare and conduct operations to support NATO’s core tasks, at the Joint Operational level, as directed by SACEUR. The Command Group provides and sustains operational level joint command and control capabilities at designated readiness states. COM JFCBS is responsible to SACEUR for contributing to the deterrence of aggression against NATO.

The Office of the Political Advisor and Strategic & International Affairs is the principle link of the Commander to the civilian/political authorities of NATO, governments of nations, to International Organisations and Agencies as part of a Comprehensive Approach.

The incumbent provides political advice to COM JFCBS in the absence of the Political Advisor and is the team leader of the Strategic and International Affairs office.

 

Our Vacancy

The Staff Officer (Political Affairs)

  • Leads the Strategic and International Affairs (SIA) office; guides and advises staff, with responsibility to add political/diplomatic perspective to the military experience of other SIA members.  Apportions the effort of the team optimally in support of the Commander and JFCBS staff.
  • Deputises for the Political Advisor and manages a team of 3 military OF-4 specialists.
  • Subject Matter Expert within the SIA team on Russia and Former Soviet Union (FSU) affairs.
  • Develops a vision and direction for the team’s work and creates the conditions to allow its implementation.
  • Provides substantive guidance to the members of the team on a daily basis, particularly on carrying out research and analysis on peace and security issues related to Russia and FSU.
  • Provides political advice at senior (Command Group) level and represents JFCBS as appropriate in support of the POLAD.   Provides political advice in the absence of POLAD including in internal and external HQ meetings.
  • Monitors and assesses political developments in assigned region and individual countries and analyses the policies of other international, regional and/or sub-regional organisations to provide the Command Group with early warning and policy options. Builds an international network of foreign policy experts to aid this understanding.
  • Participates in fact-finding missions; leads on the implementation of agreements and decisions made and designs and develops policy, programme and project outlines, as required, and assists in the management and implementation.ü Prepares and reviews background papers, briefing notes and talking points. Briefs senior level visitors.
  • Provides pertinent political, military and economic information and analysis on foreign policy issues as required in support of JF HQ tasking.
  • Delivers written/oral briefings to the COM JFCBS, CG and the staff.
  • Builds an international network of foreign policy experts in order to expand the understanding and awareness of SIA and the HQ.
  • Manages the training and education of SIA staff and serves as mentor for the intern programme.
  • Maintains links with respective POLAD elements and International Affairs Directorates in the NATO Command Structure, IS/ IMS MOFA and national delegations, as necessary.
  • Contributes to professional conferences, seminars and other events and speak to represent and enhance the reputation of JFCBS.

 

The employee may be required to perform a similar range of duties elsewhere within the organisation at the same grade without there being any change to the contract

The work is normally performed in a normal NATO Office environment. Normal Working Conditions apply. The employee may be required to undertake deployments in support of military operations and exercises, and/or other duty travel (TDY) assignments, both within and without NATO boundaries. Such operational deployment may exceed 30 days duration up to 183 days in any period of 547 days, and may be on short notice. For NATO International Civilian Staff, acceptance of an employment contract linked to this post constitutes agreement to deploy in excess of 30 days if required.

 

The successful candidate has the following qualifications:

Essential qualifications

Professional Education / Knowledge / Experience

  • Masters’ Degree or equivalent in political science, public administration, international relations or related discipline.
  • Experience in political analysis of Russia with working knowledge of the Russian language.
  • A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, security, development management or related area.
  • Foreign and Defence policy development.
  • Oral presentation of complex concepts and ideas.
  • Professional Command of English (SLP3333 - Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).

 

Preferred qualifications

  • Experience in providing political support and guidance to organisations and/or missions.
  • Formulation / Development of analytical papers.
  • Experience in bilateral and multilateral negotiations.
  • Experience in programme and project management.

Personal Attributes/Competencies

The successful candidate:

  • Has ability to conduct in-depth studies and reach well-judged conclusions.
  • Demonstrates excellent analytical, research, presentation and negotiation skills.
  • Has ability to work under extreme time pressure.
  • Has very good inter-personal skills.
  • Has excellent communication skills.
  • Has excellent planning skills.
  • Is a very good team-player.
  • Must be able to travel frequently on temporary duty.

 

The successful selected candidate needs to complete a NATO medical examination and obtain a NATO security clearance before an employment offer will be released.

The medical examination will take place with our medical consultant and is required to determine if the recommended candidate is fit to perform the duties of the position and is deployable to NATO’s regional areas of operation.

 

Newly recruited staff members will be offered a definite duration contract of 3 years, including a 6 months probationary period. Unless organisational reasons prevent and assuming satisfactory performance, after the 3 year contract has expired staff members will normally be offered an indefinite duration contract.