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 Command Group provides general support, coordination, management, administrative service and specialist advice to SACT, DSACT and COS.
Chief of Staff (COS) is responsible to SACT and DSACT for the staff activity necessary to execute ACT’s mission. It is the focal point for the implementation of the Commander’s direction and guidance as well as the initiation and co-ordination of all ACT staff efforts.
The Staff Advisory Group (SAG) is comprised of different competencies grouped into several offices (Political Advisor, Legal Advisor, Gender Advisor, Financial Controller, Command Auditor, Communication Branch and Pentagon Liaison). It works under the direction and guidance of COS and provides general staff support, coordination, management, administrative service, and specialists’ advice to SACT.
As part of the Staff Advisory Group, the Office of Budget and Finance (BUDFIN) is the executive agent for ACT in all matters of budget and finance policy and execution. Responsibility includes all matters pertaining to Budget and Finance at HQ SACT, JALLC, JWC, JFTC and subordinate SACT elements (STRE and SEE).
Principal Duties:
The incumbent's duties are:
Manages directly the daily operations related to the HQ SACT finance and accounting team.
Primary Deputy to the ACT Section Head (Treasury and Accounting)/ACT Chief Accountant).
Is the primary contributor to the ACT Chief Accountant on developing ACT-wide financial management policy, contributing specific expertise in the areas of reimbursable activities, infrastructure transactions and travel.
Deputizes for the ACT Chief Accountant in the NATO Accounting Working Group to ensure that ACT accounting issues are represented in the development of NATO Strategic level accounting policy.
Is the principal contributor to the technical accounting work required to support the ACT Chief Accountant in the production of the ACT Consolidated Financial Statements.
Provides strategic level functional guidance to all subordinate Command Heads of Accounting & Treasury (up to A-3 level) and their staff on a range of accounting matters.
Provides direction and advice to separate budget holders, fund managers and programme holders on the status of accounting records, ensuring credits committed and paid accurately reflect the legal status of their accounts and are consistent with NATO and ACT guidance.
Manages NSIP funds and ensures they are committed and expended in accordance with the ACT Host Nation contract and are accounted for in accordance with NSIP procedures.
Supervises the in-year control of all commitments and payments, which directly influence strategic level financial reports.
Supervises and coordinates the End of Year close out process with both the Budget and Purchasing & Contracting sections in HQ SACT to ensure a timely and accurate close out of the financial year.
Oversees the coordination and preparation of the consolidated commitment reports for all funding sources, including supplemental and special ACT budgets.
Supervises the process that ensures HQ SACT inputs to the ACT consolidated financial statements are produced in a timely and accurate manner. This includes managing staff involved in complex accounting work on accruals, commitments, budget carry forwards, and as asset data in accordance with IPSAS, the NATO Accounting Framework, and internal ACT guidance.
Manages the production of the final ACT Budget Execution Report, which covers all ACT budgets. This is a key component of strategic level management reports, as well as the consolidated ACT Financial Statements.
Coordinates with managers of other ACT divisions in areas that impact on accounting functions. This includes personnel services, Base support, and LEGAD.
Supervises key users of the financial system and is responsible for managing the preparation of the related financial reporting that shows budget allocations, commitments, expenditures, collections and outstanding commitments. Provides strategic level functional guidance to users at all ACT Commands.
Manages the co-ordination on strategic level finance issues with NATO Agencies.
Controls and supervises the execution of international and infrastructure budgets within the approved credits.
Holds a key role liaising with both internal and external auditors in respect of reports required for both strategic level financial and performance audits of HQ SACT.
Directly responsible for managing customer service levels to HQ SACT staff and supported Agencies.
Legally accountable for propriety of financial transactions and proper execution of financial obligations arising from contracts signed in the name of the HQ. Responsible for authorizing all payments to be made on behalf of the HQ.
Holds delegated authority from the ACT Financial Controller to commit the organization to funding obligations, approving commitments up to EFL level C.
Authorized to make decisions within assigned functional area. Authority to task and intervene to adjust the day-to-day work priorities and workload of the Finance and Accounting Staff.
Essential Qualifications / Experience:
University Degree in accounting, finance, or closely related discipline or advanced vocational training in the accounting or finance discipline, leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation .(e.g. CPA, ACMA, CGMA, CIPFA, ACCA, MSc/ MA. Accounting etc.).
If combined with a full university degree, the experience requirement is 6 years specific related experience in technical accounting functions. If combined with vocational training, the requirement is for 10 years post vocational training experience in technical accounting functions.
At least 6 years’ experience in all activities involved in control of accounts and financial activities; reconciliation of accounts; preparation of payroll and examination of vouchers; records and controls commitments; obligation and expenditure of funds; Formal training in accounting and financial management is essential.
A minimum of 5 years strong experience of directly managing a team of finance professionals.
Proven knowledge and a minimum of 3 years hands-on experience of working with computerized financial systems.
At least 3 years’ experience with International Accounting Standards (IAS) or International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) or public accounting experience.
Thorough understanding of computerized accounting environments.
Proven experience in the development of financial strategy in an international or multi-national organization.
Highly developed analytical skills coupled with ability to apply flexibility to problem solving.
Language:
English - SLP 3333 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)
Desirable Qualifications / Experience:
Experience as an accountant or senior finance officer in NATO, a major international or multi-national organization.
Strong professional background with at least 8 years acquired in positions related to the duties outlined in the job description.
Experience of more than 10 years in a financially related field, with a minimum of 7 years in a management position.
Experience in the use of ORACLE or closely related software.
Effective tact and diplomatic skills for dealing effectively and courteously with personnel of many different cultural backgrounds.
Attributes/Competencies:
Personal Attributes:
Must be able to liaise effectively, both internally and externally with military and civilian personnel up to the rank/position equivalent of Rear Admiral/Major General
Managerial Responsibilities:
This post manages the daily operations related to Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger, Intangible Assets and PP&E for the headquarters. This includes setting priorities for completion of all required tasks to ensure timely processing and financial reconciliation of the listed areas.
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
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 G17 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 26 October 2026 @ 18:59hrs (EDT)/11:59hrs (CET).