Head, Operations and Strategic Capabilities (Civil Engineering)

NATO; Brussel Hoofdstad; On-site; EUR 106,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Teleworking policies

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

NATO International Staff (NATO IS) in Brussels, Belgium, seeks a senior civil engineering professional to lead and manage large infrastructure programmes within the NOR. You will oversee resource assessments, policy guidance, and cross‑border collaboration with Allied Nations and NATO bodies.

Responsibilities include directing NSIP-funded projects, mentoring staff, and developing expertise aligned with alliance objectives.

Qualifications

• University degree in civil engineering.
• 10+ years in civil engineering with 5+ years in team management.
• Programme management experience handling admin, financial, and HR matters in multinational settings.
• Ability to communicate complex technical/financial advice to diverse audiences.
• NATO official languages: English and French, advanced/beginner levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead and drive delivery of common-funded infrastructure projects.
• Develop engagement plans with Allied Nations to accelerate delivery.
• Promote NOR value of common funding and optimize workflows.

Skills

Civil engineering

Team management

Programme management

Communication

English/French language levels

Education

University degree in civil engineering

Job description

Primary Location Belgium-Brussels

NATO Body NATO International Staff (NATO IS)

Schedule Full-time

Application Deadline 22-Nov-2026, 10:59:00 PM

Salary (Pay Basis) 11,150.91

Grade NATO Grade G22

Please be informed that the competition for this post is provisionally scheduled as follows:

• Online Selective Assessment: mid-December 2026 to early January 2027
• Final selection: remote Assessment Centre from 20 to 22 January 2027, Onsite Written Test on 25 January 2027, Onsite Interview Panel on 26 January 2027

The above dates are tentative and may be subject to change, with final confirmation to be provided at a later stage in the process.

Until then, we kindly ask that you make the necessary arrangements to ensure your availability.

Please note that requests from candidates to reschedule these dates will not be accommodated.

SUMMARY The NATO Office of Resources (NOR) provides independent and integrated expert advice to the Secretary General, NATO Resource Committees, Allies, and other stakeholders on the planning, allocation and utilisation of military common funding made available to achieve NATO’s goals and objectives. The Head, Operations and Strategic Capabilities Branch will lead the development of resource assessments, advice, support and other deliverables related to common funded civil works capabilities to the NATO resource committees and other stakeholders. They will oversee the implementation of capabilities funded from the NATO Security Investment Programme (NSIP).

KEY CHALLENGES

• Leading and driving the delivery of an increased volume of common-funded infrastructure projects that enable NATO’s deterrence and defence plans and in accordance with relevant political guidance.
• Developing and implementing engagement plans with Allied Nations to guide, advise and support their efforts to accelerate the delivery of common-funded programs and projects.
• Promoting the role of the NOR and value of common funding across the Organization, contributing to the development of new policies and initiatives to accelerate capability delivery, and maximising internal workflow processes through the use of modern tools.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• possess a university degree or equivalent level of qualification in the field of civil engineering;
• have at least 10 years of experience in the field of civil engineering, out of which at least 5 years in team management and coordination;
• have experience as a programme manager handling administrative, financial, and human resource management aspects, particularly leading teams in multinational political environments;
• demonstrate the ability to communicate complex technical and financial advice clearly to diverse audiences; and
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages: (English/ French): V (“Advanced”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other.

ADDITIONAL ADVANTAGE

• experience working at NATO, or in a NATO-context, and have an understanding of the NATO environment, structures, committee working practices, and business processes, in particular the ones related to common funding;
• extensive knowledge of modern engineering techniques impacting military capabilities; and
• experience managing resources and large-scale infrastructure projects/programmes, including civil engineering in operational missions.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

People Management: Cultivate a motivating, inclusive and effective workplace. Provide in-depth mentoring, coaching and training opportunities and be available to offer guidance at critical moments. Ensure that all staff under their responsibility are clear on organizational objects. Provide regular and fair feedback on performance, informally and formally via the HQ Achievement and Development Plan (ADP) system.

Expertise Development: Lead on the development of expertise within the Branch. Ensure alignment with the goals and requirements of the NOR and with the overall objectives of the Alliance. Advice NATO Military Authorities, International Staff (IS) divisions, NATO bodies, NATO Committees and national chairperson on resource aspects of various capability programmes and on other military resource issues.

Policy Development: Lead the development of guidelines in all areas related to assessing investment capabilities in line with Council and Committee tasking. Provide concise and comprehensive policy reports and advice to the NATO Resource Committees, and its substructures. Determine the impact of new and existing policies for the implementation of NATO projects and recommend appropriate course of action, including identifying risks and undertaking contingency plans.

Project Management: Ensure that the roles and responsibilities in support of NSIP-funded projects are delivered on time and with adequate quality. Analyse trends and future needs of the NOR and the Resource Committees to proactively manage NATO’s common-funded resources effectiveness.

Stakeholder Management: Promote coordination across the enterprise and national authorities. Lead efforts to support the implementation of projects in support of strategic capabilities and NATO operations. Maintain a network of stakeholders to ensure that the resource-impact of decisions is considered in a comprehensive fashion.

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

INTERRELATIONSHIPS

Reporting Lines: The Head, Operations and Strategic Capabilities reports to the Deputy Director, NOR. Interactions: The incumbent works in close cooperation with colleagues across the NOR and IS, and liaises with appropriate NATO bodies, NATO Military Authorities and national Authorities. Direct reports: 7 Indirect reports: 8

COMPETENCIES

• Achievement: sets and works to meet challenging goals.
• Change Leadership: personally leads change.
• Conceptual Thinking: clarifies complex data or situations.
• Developing Others: provides in-depth mentoring, coaching and training.
• Impact and Influence: uses indirect influence.
• Initiative: plans and acts for the long-term.
• Leadership: positions self as the leader.
• Organizational Awareness: understands organizational politics.
• Self-Control: stays composed and positive even under extreme pressure.

CONTRACT

Contract to be offered to the successful applicant (if non-seconded): Definite duration contract of three years; possibility of renewal for up to three years, during which the incumbent may apply for conversion to an indefinite duration contract.

Contract clause applicable: In accordance with the contract policy, this is a post in which turnover is desirable for political reasons in order to be able to accommodate the Organisation's need to carry out its tasks as mandated by the Nations in a changing environment, for example by maintaining the flexibility necessary to shape the Organisation's skills profile, and to ensure appropriate international diversity. The maximum period of service foreseen in this post is 6 years. The successful applicant will be offered a 3-year definite duration contract, which may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years. However, according to the procedure described in the contract policy the incumbent may apply for conversion to an indefinite contract during the period of renewal and no later than one year before the end of contract. If the successful applicant is seconded from the national administration of one of NATO’s member States, a 3-year definite duration contract will be offered, which may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years subject also to the agreement of the national authority concerned. The maximum period of service in the post as a seconded staff member is six years. Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Régulations.

DEI AND INCLUSION

NATO is committed to diversity and inclusion, and strives to provide equal access to employment, advancement and retention, independent of gender, age, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, cultural background, sexual orientation, and disability. NATO welcomes applications of nationals from all member Nations, and strongly encourages women to apply.

NATO is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible working environment, where all candidates living with disabilities can fully participate in the recruitment and selection process. If you require reasonable accommodation, please inform us during your selection process.

Candidates will be required to provide documented medical evidence to support their request for accommodation.

Building Integrity is a key element of NATO’s core tasks. As an employer, NATO values commitment to the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability in accordance with international norms and practices established for the defence and related security sector. Selected candidates are expected to be role models of integrity, and to promote good governance through ongoing efforts in their work.

Due to the broad interest in NATO and the large number of potential candidates, telephone or e-mail enquiries cannot be dealt with.

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.

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 International Staff at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium is a non-smoking environment.

For information about the NATO Single Salary Scale (Grading, Allowances, etc.) please visit our website . Detailed data is available under the Salary and Benefits tab.

NATO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process.