Head, Integrated Business Support Branch

Science and Technology Organization

Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation

VACANCY NOTICE

IBSB HEAD (240568)

NATO Body: Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE)

Schedule: Full-time

Application Deadline: 04 May 2024

Salary (Pay Basis): 8,497.37 EUR (Monthly)

Grade NATO SSS Grade G20 (ABCL A4)

Clearance Level NS

Appointment will be subject to receipt of a NATO SECRET security clearance (provided by the national

Authorities of the selected candidate) and approval of the candidate’s medical file by the CMRE

Medical Adviser.

Are you a professional with experience in business management, strategic planning, and project

coordination in the scientific and research environment, industry or government? Do you enjoy

working in a challenging international environment? If so, CMRE is looking for you

1. POST CONTEXT

This is a position within the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE), an

organization of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

CMRE is an established, world-class scientific research and experimentation facility that organizes

and conducts scientific research and technology development, centred on the maritime domain,

delivering innovative and field-tested Science & Technology (S&T) solutions to address defence and

security needs of the Alliance.

The Head of Integrated Business Support Branch (IBSB) plays a pivotal role in driving the Centre’s

success through strategic planning, efficient resource management, and effective collaboration with

internal and external stakeholders.

Science and Technology Organization

Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation

2. PRINCIPAL DUTIES

The IBSB Head will support and advise the Director while contributing to business management,

strategic planning, and development. This role requires proactive initiative and close

collaboration with management, scientific, and engineering teams to ensure the efficient

operation and advancement of the Centre’s objectives.

• Business Management: Contribute to the development and implementation of coherent

business policies, procedures, and strategies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

• Strategic Planning: Facilitate and contribute to the Centre’s strategic and business planning

process, particularly focusing on the CMRE Management Plan.

• Financial Support: Assist the Head of Finance and Contracting in identifying planned income,

analysing actuals against plans, and supporting financial management processes.

• Project Development: Provide tools, templates, and assistance to facilitate project

development and proposals, including conducting business analysis and resource allocation.

• Programme Coordination: Coordinate and supervise the delivery of the programme of work

documentation for the NATO S&T Board, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and

timelines.

• Project Management: Supervise the project management system and provide support to user

communities, including training and guidance on project management tools.

• Customer Relations: Act as a liaison officer in establishing NDA/MOU agreements with

customers, ensuring compliance and effective communication.

• Output Coordination: Coordinate and facilitate CMRE outputs, including in-year project

reviews and analysis of technical, resource, and financial aspects.

• Policy Development: Produce analysis and draft policy papers, documents, instructions, and

briefs, contributing to internal and external communication and decision-making processes.

• Quality Management: Maintain internal Quality Management processes and procedures,

ensuring compliance with standards and regulations in areas such as Time Accounting, Annual

Reporting, Performance Management, Recruitment, Procurement, and Financial Statement.

• Representation: Represent CMRE to NATO committees, particularly the STB, Infrastructure

and Budget Committees, by preparing and presenting relevant information and reports.

Science and Technology Organization

Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation

3. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND ADDITIONAL DUTIES

a. Flexibility Clause

The incumbent may be required to perform other related duties even in other parts of the

organization as directed (in particular, the incumbent can expect to work as a member of Working

Groups, Project Teams, etc. for defined periods of time).

All other related duties should correspond with the required competencies for the job.

b. Deployment/Travel

The incumbent may be required to undertake TDY assignments within and outside NATO boundaries.

4. ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

a. Professional/Experience

At least 5 years of proven experience in business management, strategic planning, and project

coordination in the scientific and research environment, industry or government.

b. Education/Training

Master’s degree at a nationally recognized/certified University in Business Administration,

Management, Science, Engineering, or related field and 5 years post-related experience.

c. Language Requirements

A thorough knowledge of English language, both written and spoken is essential. Some knowledge of

French is desirable.

NOTE: Most of the work of CMRE is conducted in the English language.

5. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD in information technology, accounting, business administration, public administration,

finance, management or scientific fields.

Science and Technology Organization

Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation

• MBA (Master of Business Administration)

• Broad understanding of scientific / technical programs and related support areas.

• Proficiency in project management tools.

• Knowledge of NATO procedures and regulations is desirable.

6. ATTRIBUTES/COMPETENCIES

The successful candidate possess the following competencies / personal attributes:

• Strong analytical. Problem- solving and decision making skills.

• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

All CMRE personnel are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the current NATO Code

of Conduct agreed by the North Atlantic Council (NAC), and thus display the core values of integrity,

impartiality, loyalty, accountability, and professionalism.

7. REMARKS

The duties are mostly performed in an office environment, but staff may be required to work on

board a vessel.

___________________________

About Us:

The Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) is part of the NATO Science and

Technology Organization (STO). The mission of the STO is to help position both national and NATO

science and technology investments as a strategic enabler and technology advantage for the defence

and security posture of NATO Allies and partners. The Centre conducts scientific research and

technology development and delivers innovative field-tested S&T solutions to address the defence

and security needs of the Alliance. CMRE has more than 60 years of experience and has produced a

cadre of leaders in ocean science, modelling and simulation, acoustics and other disciplines, as well

as producing critical results and understanding that have been built into the operational concepts of

NATO and the Nations.

Science and Technology Organization

Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation

What we offer:

• Salary (Pay Basis): 8,497.37 (EUR) Monthly*

*Salary value as per 2024. Subject to future adjustments in accordance with North Atlantic

• Grade ABCL grade A4 / NATO grade G20

• A world class research facility located in the sea port of La Spezia, Italy supported by two

specialised research vessels.

• An exciting place in which to work situated at an ideal location, the port of La Spezia, Italy,

enabling synergy with regional and global academic institutes and industry.

• Salary and conditions of employment will be in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel

Regulations (NCPR), which includes a rewarding salary and a comprehensive system of

allowances, supplements and insurances to support families and, in case of expatriated

staff, offers an interesting “expatriate” package.

• A generous annual leave and, (where eligible) home leave.

• The successful candidate will be offered a three years’ definite duration contract which may

be renewed for subsequent periods subject to business needs, satisfactory performance and

the need to rotate skills and talent within the Organization.

• Applicants who prove to be competent for the post but who are not successful in this

competition may be offered an appointment to another post of a similar nature, which

might become vacant in the near future, albeit at the same or a lower grade, provided they

meet the necessary requirements.

Our recruitment process:

• Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries.

• Applications (including the most relevant publications, the diplomas - stating the highest level

of education - and a CV) for this vacancy are to be submitted using the E-recruitment system;

Science and Technology Organization

Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation

• 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

CMRE Medical Adviser.

Additional information:

• CMRE values diverse backgrounds and perspectives and is committed to recruiting and

retaining a diverse and talented workforce. We welcome applications of nationals from all

Member States and strongly encourage women to apply.

• Selected candidates are expected to be role models of integrity, and to promote good

governance through ongoing efforts in their work.

For more information on how to apply:

How to apply for posts within NATO

6 tips to apply for posts within NATO

NOTE:

NATO will not accept any phase of the recruitment and selection prepared, in whole or in part, by

means of generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots,

such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (Chat GPT), or other language generating tools.

NATO reserves the right to screen applications to identify the use of such tools. All applications

prepared, in whole or in part, by means of such generative or creative AI applications may be

rejected without further consideration at NATO’s sole discretion, and NATO reserves the right to

take further steps in such cases as appropriate.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications are to be submitted using the NATO Talent Acquisition Program (NTAP)

Applications submitted by other means are not accepted. NTAP allows adding attachments. Essential

information must be included in the application form. Particular attention should be given to

Science and Technology Organization

Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation

Education and Experience section. Each question should be answered completely. Expressions such

as “please see annex / enclosed document” or invitations to follow links to personal webpages are

not acceptable and will be disregarded. All answers should be in English preferably, or French.

• NATO Body: Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE)
• Schedule: Full-time
• Application Deadline: 04 May 2024
• Salary (Pay Basis): 8,497.37 EUR (Monthly)