Staff Officer (Science & Technology)

NATO•United States of America, Norfolk, MA

About The Position

The Staff Officer (Science & Technology) works in the Innovation Branch of the Capability Development Directorate’s Requirements Division. The role supports SACT by executing processes, projects, activities, initiatives and events related to the Branch’s Science and Technology (S&T) tasks. Its focus includes outreach, influence and collaboration with S&T entities; sustained technology watch in support of ACT foresight and capability development; and translating capability requirements into S&T research requirements. The incumbent helps identify and assess S&T research areas and emerging technologies that may address NATO capability shortfalls, and contributes S&T advice to strategic foresight, defence planning and capability development. The role also coordinates the ACT–STO partnership, represents ACT in relevant S&T forums, supports the ACT S&T Programme of Work, and helps develop web-based tools for managing and exchanging S&T information. The position requires professional contacts across the Command and externally, including liaison with military and civilian personnel. Its outputs provide essential S&T input to solutions for NATO capability requirements and directly affect SACT’s ability to meet strategic intent. A NATO SECRET Security Clearance must be obtained before final contract confirmation and commencement of employment. Newly recruited staff will be offered a three-year definite-duration contract.

Requirements

University degree in management information systems, accounting, economics, finance, business administration, public administration, operations research, project management or a related discipline, plus two years of function-related experience; alternatively, higher secondary education and completed advanced vocational training in the discipline leading to a professional qualification or accreditation, plus four years of related experience.
Two years’ experience in the acquisition, assembly and interpretation of research and technology information.
Knowledge of national S&T information sources, such as defence research laboratories, academic institutions, media and defence ministries.
Experience interpreting information on future S&T to assess the effects of those technologies on military capability.
Practical experience with PC office automation products, including using the internet for information research.
English proficiency at SLP 3333 in listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Personal integrity and a sense of responsibility.
Professionalism and the ability to structure, organize and prioritize work.
Ability to take initiative and work independently.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to break down complex problems, identify relationships between elements and describe implications in a verifiable way.
Ability to work under time pressure and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work harmoniously and communicate and coordinate effectively in a diverse international environment, horizontally and vertically.
Ability to mediate between stakeholders and resolve conflicting points of view.
Strong negotiation skills and ability to build common learning processes within a group.
Ability to build relationships and liaise effectively with military and civilian personnel inside and outside HQ.
Must obtain NATO SECRET Security Clearance before final confirmation of contract and commencement of employment.

Nice To Haves

Participation in the management and conduct of science and technology programs.
Expertise in developing web-based information sources.

Responsibilities

Influence and exploit NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO) projects that address identified capability shortfalls.
Contribute to a sustained technology watch function supporting ACT foresight and capability development by scanning, identifying, monitoring, analysing and assessing S&T research areas, and proposing areas for exploitation.
Focus technology-watch work on disruptive technologies, game-changing solutions, and innovative, cost-effective and interoperable opportunities to address capability shortfalls.
Contribute S&T advice to strategic foresight analysis, NATO defence planning, capability and force development, capability-requirements formulation, concept development and experimentation, and Analysis of Alternatives.
Coordinate with the NATO Science and Technology Organisation on implementation of the ACT-STO Structured Partnership and its annual Implementation Plan.
Represent ACT before STO Panels and Group and other relevant national and international entities on S&T and innovation matters.
Identify capability shortfalls by analysing NDPP products and operational Lessons Learned, in coordination with other ACT staff.
Contribute to planning and execution of the ACT S&T Program of Work.
Educate HQ SACT staff about opportunities available through the NATO Science and Technology Organization’s Panels and Group.
Organize development of web-based applications for managing and exchanging S&T information between ACT, NATO and national S&T bodies.
Carry out other tasks and duties assigned by the Section Head Science and Technology or superiors relating to the Branch’s S&T projects, activities and outputs.
Set daily work priorities and coordinate work with other work strands and cross-functional planning.
Develop and maintain professional contacts across the Command and externally, and liaise, negotiate and resolve conflicts to achieve results.