Officer, Technical Specialist Munition Systems

Description

Officer, Technical Specialist Munition Systems–231292

Primary Location

 Belgium-Brussels

NATO Body

 NATO International Staff (NATO IS)

Schedule

 Full-time

Application Deadline

 27-Nov-2023, 10:59:00 PM

Salary (Pay Basis)

 : 8,887.53Euro (EUR) Monthly

Grade NATO Grade G20

Description

:  

1. SUMMARY

The Defence Investment Division (DI) is responsible for the development of investments in assets and capabilities aimed at enhancing the Alliance’s defence capacity, including armaments planning and development, space, integrated air and missile defence (IAMD), airspace management, aviation command and control.

The Munitions Safety Information Analysis Center (MSIAC) is a project office operating under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Australia, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States as signatories. Operating in the field of Munitions Safety throughout the life cycle of munitions, MSIAC develops a set of technical products and services for its member Nations.

MSIAC is directed by a Steering Committee, which annually reports to the NATO Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD). For administrative purposes, MSIAC is attached to the Defence Investment Division of the NATO International Staff (IS). MSIAC directly supports its Member Nations and also contributes to the standardisation activities of the CNAD Ammunition Safety Group (CASG). Six technical officers with broad experience in munitions safety, insensitive munitions, energetic materials, and conventional munitions life cycle, form the MSIAC technical specialist staff.

In response to the Strategic Objectives and requirements expressed in the MSIAC Strategic Plan and the yearly MSIAC Work Plan, the incumbent will respond to technical enquiries, develop and present technical reports, databases, briefings and lectures, and participate in the organisation of MSIAC workshops and technical meetings. S/he will assist the community in helping to define, harmonize, improve, and promote policies for munitions safety. S/he will also contribute to the development of the MSIAC software, web sites, technical library, and customer base. The incumbent is expected to have an in-depth understanding of national risk regulations and policies, as well as the application of the System Safety discipline and its relationship to Safety and Suitability for Service (S3) assessment.

2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

The incumbent must: 

• possess a University degree in science or engineering, or equivalent level of qualification, from an institute of recognised standing;
• have at least 5 years of relevant technical experience;
• be proficient  and have demonstrated experience in conducting munitions safety assessments, including: the time and cost pressures coupled with different types of procurement (e.g. urgent operation requirement, non-national procurement, national munitions development programme) and the effect on the munitions safety assurance process;
• be proficient in munitions safety concepts, precepts, policy, and design requirements;
• be proficient in defining the environmental lifecycle profile (Climatic, Mechanical, and Electromagnetic) and appropriate tests and evaluations for munitions;
• have experience in Insensitive Munitions testing and assessment;
• have excellent knowledge  in Hazard Classification;
• have proven experience in surveillance and ageing of munitions (including typical munitions safety failure mechanisms driven by threats);
• have experience in national and international munitions safety related standards;
• have demonstrated experience in the preparation and publication of technical reports, specifications, or standards;
• possess Information Technology skills, including strong knowledge of MS Office applications, databases, interactive software tools, and conduction of internet research;
• have excellent communication skills and the capacity to present technical information in a clear and understandable way to a wide variety of audience; 
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one ; I (“Beginner”) in the other. English is the language of MSIAC technical products, including workshops and working groups, therefore the incumbent must be able to conduct workshops and working groups in English and be able to produce technical reports and documents in English.

DESIRABLE

The following would be considered an advantage:

• A postgraduate degree in science or engineering;
• Knowledge of NATO Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD) Ammunition Safety Group (CASG – AC/326) and its technical sub-groups;
• Knowledge of Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3) to munitions;
• Knowledge in munitions components and weapon system integration methods;
• Knowledge of munitions design precepts, fuzing and functioning;
• Knowledge of munitions safety in relationship to weapon’s platform vulnerability;
• Ability to use, develop and design databases, modelling tools, and software.

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Expertise Development

Receive and assess technical enquiries and prepare comprehensive responses on areas related to munitions transport and storage safety. Prepare lectures and training courses, and present them to MSIAC member Nations in order to develop these Nations’ awareness of and expertise in munitions’ safety issues.

Policy Development

Combine experience and information analyses in order to prepare and present expert-level clear and concise technical articles and reports. Advise MSIAC member Nations as well as the international community as regards the development of new policy and standards in her/his area of expertise.

Project Management

Design and conduct MSIAC Workshops or other international technical meetings and report results. Propose, develop, and execute MSIAC Work Plan projects that belong to her/his portfolio of activities and including efforts that may require co-operation from other staff members and international experts.

Knowledge Management

Develop and update software tools and databases, such as the Munitions Standards and Safety Database (MSAS), Safety Assessment Software Online (SASO) and the MSIAC Hazard Classification Database Exchange (MHCDx). Evaluate technical documents for entry into the MSIAC technical library. Identify deficiencies in the library and recommend/ take remedial action.

Stakeholder Management

Develop and maintain the MSIAC customer base within participating Nations and the broader international Munitions Safety communities. Liaise with member Nations’ military, government, industry, and university representatives, as appropriate, to execute MSIAC’s mission. Represent MSIAC at international conferences and technical meetings when directed. Give expert-level presentations and briefings.

Information Management

Request data from established sources. Perform complex searches in the MSIAC library to retrieve data needed for projects. Contribute to keeping the MSIAC websites up to date by providing new content.

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The incumbent reports to the Project Manager, MSIAC. S/he will work closely with the members of the MSIAC project office and will help mentor trainees and fellows. S/he will liaise with national and worldwide experts, and with national Program Offices, NATO and other international bodies involved in munitions-related activities. This includes: Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD) Ammunition Safety Group (CASG – AC/326) and the technical sub-groups, the NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO), the European Defence Agency (EDA), The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP), and other munitions related groups.

Direct reports: N/a

Indirect reports: N/a.

5. COMPETENCIES

The incumbent must demonstrate:

• Analytical Thinking: Makes complex plans or analyses;
• Clarity and Accuracy: Checks own work;
• Conceptual Thinking: Applies learned concepts;
• Customer Service Orientation: Takes personal responsibility for correcting problems;
• Impact and Influence: Takes multiple actions to persuade;
• Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation;
• Organisational Awareness: Understands organisational climate and culture;
• Teamwork: Solicits inputs and encourages others. 

6.  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.

Contract clause applicable:

It has been decided that for technical reasons, turnover is required in this post, and therefore, the maximum period of service in this post is six years. Accordingly, 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.

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.

Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Régulations.

7.  USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries. Applications must be submitted using e-recruitment system, as applicable:

• For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal (link);
• For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment

Before you apply to any position, we encourage you to click here and watch our video providing 6 tips to prepare you for your application and recruitment process.

Do you have questions on the application process in the system and not sure how to proceed? Click here for a video containing  the information you need to successfully submit your application on time.

More information about the recruitment process and conditions of employment, can be found at our website (http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/recruit-hq-e.htm)

Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate), approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser, verification of your study(ies) and work experience, and the successful completion of the accreditation and notification process by the relevant authorities.

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.

8.  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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.

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.

https://nato.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=231292