NATO Officer - Standards & Quality Assurance

Job Posting Organization:
The Cyber and Digital Transformation (CDT) Division of NATO is responsible for guiding all aspects of NATO's cyber defense and digital transformation. It coordinates NATO's efforts to counter hybrid actions, including Energy security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security and Critical Undersea Infrastructure. The CDT combines both civilian and military expertise to develop strategies, policies, and capabilities that ensure the Alliance maintains its decision-making and combat advantages for deterrence and defense. The organization is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible working environment, promoting diversity and equal access to employment opportunities.

Job Overview:
The NATO Officer in the Interoperability and Standardization Section (ISS) will play a crucial role in supporting NATO's digital standardization activities. This position involves strengthening the quality, coherence, traceability, and implementability of NATO digital interoperability standards and related products. The incumbent will ensure that standards are technically consistent, measurable, testable, configuration-controlled, and aligned with architectural intent and operational requirements. Additionally, the role includes promoting the use of structured, machine-readable standardization artifacts and repository-based workflows to enhance reuse, automation, and sustained implementation across the Alliance. The incumbent will also collaborate with international and regional Standards Developing Organizations (SDOs) as necessary.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The main responsibilities of the NATO Officer include contributing to the development of NATO policies and regulations, providing subject-matter advice, and enabling the creation of coherent and enforceable NATO interoperability standards. The officer will manage projects by coordinating with the Standardization Writing Team and Working Groups, tracking progress, dependencies, risks, and issues. They will support the reduction of integration risks in Command, Control, Communication and Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) and multi-domain operations through the development of technically consistent and verifiable standards. The officer will also lead the development, staffing, adoption, maintenance, and coherence of NATO standards and related products, ensuring they span digital, cybersecurity, and relevant material domains. Stakeholder management is also a key responsibility, requiring participation in meetings, coordination across a complex stakeholder landscape, and preparation of briefing materials. The officer will sustain lifecycle management of NATO standards, establish configuration control, and promote the use of structured, machine-processable artifacts. They will keep abreast of current techniques in standardization and identify opportunities for improvement.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field. They should have at least four years of experience in implementing and managing projects or programs related to standardization activities. A strong background in the design and development of complex systems is essential. Excellent written and oral communication skills are required, including the ability to translate technical information into presentations and reports for senior leadership. Candidates must also meet the minimum language requirements of NATO's official languages, achieving 'Advanced' proficiency in one language and 'Beginner' in the other. Additional qualifications that would be advantageous include experience in international organizations or government, familiarity with NATO standardization processes, and experience in developing structured, machine-processable engineering artifacts.

Educational Background:
A university degree or equivalent qualification in a field relevant to the position is required. This educational background should ideally be complemented by specialized training or certifications related to standardization, project management, or cybersecurity.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of four years of relevant experience in implementing and managing projects or programs related to standardization activities. Experience in the design and development of complex systems is also essential, along with a demonstrated ability to work in international or governmental settings.

Languages:
Proficiency in NATO's official languages is mandatory, with 'Advanced' proficiency in one language and 'Beginner' in the other. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly those relevant to NATO member countries.

Additional Notes:
The successful applicant will be offered a definite duration contract of three years, with the possibility of renewal for up to three additional years. The maximum period of service in this post is six years. The contract may be converted to an indefinite duration contract during the renewal period. The position is subject to security clearance and medical approval. NATO is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from all member nations, and particularly welcomes applications from women and individuals with disabilities. The organization offers flexible working arrangements and work-life policies, including teleworking options.