Section Head (Sr Staff Officer/AI CAPDEV & Governance)

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Section Head (Sr Staff Officer/AI CAPDEV & Governance)

senior · Other

Post Context

ACT contributes to preserving the peace, security and territorial integrity of Alliance member states by leading, at Strategic Command level, Warfare Development required to enhance NATO’s posture, military structures, forces, capabilities and doctrines.

The Capability Development Directorate (CAPDEV) comprises two Divisions—Requirements and Capabilities. The Directorate supports SACT in his Capabilities Requirement Authority (CRA) role. It is responsible for a holistic through lifecycle Capability Development approach that infuses innovation and transformative efforts that are an integral part of the Warfare Development. This includes responsibilities for elicitation, development, capture and collection, quality review, traceability and visibility of capability requirements.

The Requirements Division executes requirements management for NATO capabilities. It develops capability requirements, provides traceability and quality assurance of capability requirements, performs gap analysis and supports interoperability and implementation options across the DOTMLPFI spectrum.

The Federated Interoperability Branch supports and enables the delivery of coherent and interoperable capabilities by developing and verifying the associated capability specifications in order to ensure Day Zero interoperability of people, processes, and technologies

As the Section Head for AI Capability Development and Governance, the incumbent will serve as a central figure driving NATO’s data and AI strategies, ensuring their alignment with military operational needs and strategic priorities within the Alliance. The incumbent will lead efforts to translate policy into capability-driven implementation plans and governance frameworks and participate in relevant NATO working groups or preparatory discussions as delegated by ACT leadership. Additionally, the incumbent will provide expert guidance on AI governance by contributing to the development and implementation of policies and principles of Responsible AI. Supporting the Data and AI Review Board (DARB) with ACT being the co-lead, the incumbent will drive the integration of AI into NATO’s capability development lifecycle, ensuring the strategic coherence of technical capabilities and maintaining alignment with NATO’s AI Strategy, Digital Transformation Vision, and broader strategic goals. Through active collaboration with NATO stakeholders, ACO, NCIA and ACT directorates, the incumbent will elevate ACT’s role in shaping the Alliance’s global AI and digital transformation efforts.

Principal Duties:

• Team Leadership and Development: Lead and mentor a diverse, multicultural team, setting clear objectives and ensuring alignment with the Data Science & AI Branch (DSAI) and broader NATO organizational goals. Represent the branch when required, including deputizing for higher-grade staff as necessary.
• Resource and Performance Management: Efficiently manage budgetary and human resources to ensure optimal delivery of DSAI objectives. Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and implement metrics to monitor the section’s effectiveness, driving continuous improvement.
• Operations Oversight: Oversee the day-to-day operations of the AI Capability Development and Governance Section, ensuring compliance with NATO and ACT policies, standards, and best practices
• Provide thought leadership and technical expertise to support NATO’s AI Transformation Plans and policy development for HQ SACT; advise on guidance to ACT while assisting strategic engagements of SACT and DSACT. Develop and oversee policies related to AI technical standards, including data management, algorithm safety, security, and assurance.
• Analyze legislative and regulatory changes impacting NATO AI initiatives, assess technical feasibility and regulatory challenges, and provide informed military advice to support leadership decisions and transformation initiatives within NATO HQ.
• Coordinate ACT input with NATO HQ and NATO Military Authorities (NMA) for policy development, providing expert analysis and advising senior leaders on the impact of key AI policy initiatives. Maintain close interaction with HQ SACT, NATO HQ, and ACO/SHAPE.
• Lead the drafting of ACT and Bi-SC strategic policy papers, and contribute to NMA’s advisory role to the North Atlantic Council (NAC) on Data Science and AI-related issues.
• Monitor activities of relevant Centres of Excellence (COEs) within the DSAI portfolio and support associated policy development and coordination matters.
• Execute tasks assigned within the frameworks of the Data Exploitation Framework Strategic Plan, NATO Data Exploitation Programme, Digital Transformation Implementation Strategy, and NATO AI Strategy.
• Support the development and initial implementation of data science and AI capabilities across NATO Enterprise and HQ SACT, prioritizing both operational and business needs. Provide SME expertise for requirements capture and capability development when needed.
• Contribute to data science activities, including data visualization initiatives, by creating dashboards and reports that enhance decision-making through clear communication of findings.
  Support the review of data science and AI processes, products, or activities by developing detailed reports that analyze and interpret relevant policy issues impacting NATO’s AI mission.
  Stay updated on advancements in data science and AI; share insights to drive innovation and contribute thought leadership to support strategic development of NATO Enterprise AI policies, strategies, and initiatives.
• Undertake additional duties or tasks as assigned by leadership to support the branch and NATO Enterprise objectives.
• Budget Authority - The AI Capability Development and Governance Section Head must track forecast spend against budgetary totals but has no authority over budgets or financial matters.

Essential Qualifications / Experience:

• University Degree  in information technology, information systems engineering, business administration, quality engineering or related discipline  and 6 years post related experience, or Higher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training  in that discipline leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 6 years post related and 2 years function related experience.
• 6 years experience in applying and managing digital technologies (e.g., AI, cloud computing, data analytics) within defense, security, or international organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to create and execute strategic plans, define objectives, and oversee performance to align with organizational missions and goals.
• Verified expertise in developing and implementing policies, standards, and guidelines for Data Science and AI (DSAI) following industry best practices.
• Exceptional analytical abilities, with strong skills in summarizing extensive information and communicating effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
• Hands-on experience with modern software architecture and development practices related to data science, analytics, and data integration.
• Strong communication skills to convey findings and data-driven insights effectively to non-technical audiences, both orally and in writing.
• Basic understanding of military capability development processes at the national level or within NATO.
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse functional teams.

Language:

English – SLP 3333 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

Desirable Qualifications / Experience:

• Understanding of NATO’s organizational structure, functions, and processes, with prior experience working with NATO data, systems, or policies.
• Experience or familiarity with modern software engineering and deployment environments to support informed governance, policy development, and capability maturation efforts.
• Understanding of AI methodologies (e.g., NLP, ML, CV) and experience assessing their applicability, maturity, and implications in operational contexts.
• Experience working within a military staff environment, with demonstrated knowledge of military operations, planning, and decision-making processes, particularly within NATO or similar multi-national organizations.
• Experience in leading complex, cross-functional initiatives involving diverse stakeholders and teams, ideally within defence, government, or large multinational organizations, including strategic planning, risk management, and resource prioritization.
• University degree from a nationally recognized/certified University or certification in a relevant discipline such as computer science, engineering disciplines, statistics or similar numerate discipline, operations research, or a related field.
• French - SLP 3333 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

Attributes/Competencies:

Personal Attributes:

• The incumbent must exercise sound thought, judgment, initiative, adaptability and flexibility, particularly when dealing with organizations and agencies in a multi-national and multi-cultural environment.
• The incumbent must exercise tact and diplomacy when dealing with working groups, committees, contractors, and consultants to achieve stated ACT goals and objectives.
• The incumbent may routinely be expected to work extended hours and to travel as part of the appointment.

Managerial Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership and Development: Lead and mentor a diverse, multicultural team, setting clear objectives and ensuring alignment with the Data Science & AI Branch (DSAI) and broader NATO organizational goals. Represent the branch when required, including deputizing for higher-grade staff as necessary.
• Resource and Performance Management: Efficiently manage budgetary and human resources to ensure optimal delivery of DSAI objectives. Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and implement metrics to monitor the section’s effectiveness, driving continuous improvement.
• Operations Oversight: Oversee the day-to-day operations of the AI Capability Development and Governance Section, ensuring compliance with NATO and ACT policies, standards, and best practices.

Professional Contacts:

The incumbent will have contacts with internal and external stakeholders and project related clients.

Contribution To Objectives:

A prime objective of SACT is to lead the transformation of Alliance capabilities, especially in the context of the new concept for Multi-Domain Operations and the approved Digital Transformation Implementation Strategy. Data Exploitation/Artificial Intelligence are essential enabling capabilities. The Data Scientist contributes directly to the Warfare Development Agenda’s NATO Data Exploitation Programme, and by enabling informed decision-making through robust data analysis, and supporting the evolution of Multi-Domain Operations. This expertise aids in advancing SACT's digital transformation agenda, aligning with the broader strategic goals and enhancing Alliance capabilities.

Security Clearance

The successful applicant will be required to apply for and receive a NATO SECRET Security Clearance prior to final confirmation of contract and commencement of employment.

Contract

This position is linked to a specific NATO project and is for a limited duration of 3 (three) years only.

Serving NATO International Civilian staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations.  Newly recruited staff will be offered a three year definite duration contract.

Notes for Candidates

The HQ SACT web site gives full details on the eligibility criteria and application processes to be adopted by all candidates.  However, candidates should particularly note:
Please answer each of the pre-screening questions completely in English. Expressions such as: “please see attached CV, please see annex, please see enclosed document, etc” are not acceptable; this is a cause of immediate rejection of the application.

Particular attention should be given to Education and Experience section of your application form, which should be populated with details of your career to date and educational achievements and certifications as they relate to your application.

The candidature of NATO redundant staff at grade G20 will be considered with priority.

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.

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.

This vacancy will close on 24 August 2026 @ 17:59hrs (EDT)/11:59hrs (CEST).