NATO: NATO: MDFD Portfolio Resource Manager – Norfolk

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 Multi Domain Force Development (MDFD) Directorate consists of eight HQ SACT-based Branches that, together with the Joint Warfare Centre (JWC), Joint Force Training Centre (JFTC) and Joint Analysis and Lessons Learned Centre (JALLC), have responsibility for NATO Force Development activities. The aim is to improve interoperability amongst NCS, NFS, Centres of Excellence (COEs) as well as interoperable Partners’ forces allocated to NATO, and enhance capabilities, to undertake the full spectrum of Alliance missions.

This post ensures coherence in planning and execution across the full spectrum of MDFD activities, leading in areas where limited resident knowledge is available.

Principal Duties:

• Acts as Portfolio / Resource Manager for DCOS MDFD, maintaining a comprehensive knowledge and oversight over the planning and execution of all projects, programmes and portfolios for which the MDFD Directorate is responsible as required by extant ACT Directives and SOPs;
• Ensure coherence, monitor execution and provide Directorate corporate knowledge for DCOS MDFD with JWC, JFTC, JALLC, JATEC, ACOS MDFD, NATO Education and Training Facilities (NETFs), NATO accredited COEs and NATO recognized Partnership Training and Education Centers (PTECs).3. Perform ad hoc analysis, conduct special projects and lead/participate in project teams as directed by the DCOS MDFD;
• Provide advice to DCOS MDFD and where necessary act as the DCOS MDFD representative for all programme resources assigned, both funds and workforce, risk, issues and recommend mitigation actions;
• Coordinate MDFD Directorate input into ACT’s resource planning process ensuring that programmes are aligned with NMA and ACT Goals Priorities and Objectives across the DOTMLPFI spectrum;
• Act as fund manager for specific funds as designated by DCOS MDFD and delegated by the Financial Controller;
• Within the context of these Principal Duties, the incumbent shall carry out additional day-to-day duties as follows;
• Based on SACT’s strategic priorities and the planning requirements from within the directorate coordinate the development of the MDFD portion of the Annual Plan;
• Translate NATO Force Development related concepts and policies into actionable programmes and plans;
• Ensure all DCOS MDFD Reports & Returns are submitted in accordance with Military Committee policy and ACT Directives;
• Draw DCOS MDFD’s attention to NATO Force Development related subjects deemed necessary to receive DCOS MDFD level of intervention;
• Carry out routine duties of DCOS MDFD’s Executive Assistant (EA) in their absence;
• Accompanies DCOS MDFD on his TDY and visits as required.

Essential Qualifications / Experience:

• University Degree in management information systems, accounting, economics, finance, business administration, law public administration, operations research, project management or related discipline and 5 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 5 years post related and 2 years function related experience.
• A minimum of 5 years of Programme and Project Management.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience working in an international environment on topics related to force development, such as: operational analysis, innovation, experimentation, etc.
• Good knowledge of strategic management processes and procedures as they pertain to the management of a large organization.
• Extensive experience and thorough understanding of strategic political/military operations and the associated staff work.
• Good working knowledge of capability and concept development procedures, and the NATO innovation ecosystem.
• Good working knowledge of resource management, budgetary processes, requirement prioritization, risk management and their inter-relations with civilian / military process and management systems.

Language:

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

Desirable Qualifications / Experience:

• Master degree in a related subject (e.g. Business Administration, Education, International Relations, Law).
• Good knowledge of strategic management processes and procedures as they pertain to the management of a military headquarters, agency or national MOD.
• Previous extensive experience working with the military in a strategic military environment (i.e. NHQ, MOD, or equivalent).
• Previous NATO experience in Programme and Project Management.
• Previous NATO / National experience in Force Development related activities.
• Detailed knowledge of NATO Capability Development Processes and the NATO Enterprise innovation ecosystem.
• Understanding of the strategic aims of HQ SACT.
• Sound knowledge of CNAFS and NATO budgeting financial procedures.

Attributes/Competencies:

Personal Attributes:

Integrity, confidentiality and diplomatic skills need to be of the highest order. Inherent cooperative and directional leadership skills required and must be able to demonstrate excellent team building abilities to direct/guide/influence standing and ad hoc working groups at the OF-5 level. Incumbent must be decisive, professionally knowledgeable on all DCOS MDFD strategic level resource management issues.

Managerial Responsibilities:

Will be required to supervise, direct, co-ordinate and lead a mix of military and civilians up to and including OF-5. Must be able to implement a wide variety of issues directly to DCOS MDFD. Lead other ACOS staffs and branch heads on detailed Management issues and execution. High-level managerial skills are required to coordinate the development of an integrated programme across the ETEE entities (JWC/JFTC/JALLC, JATEC). The incumbent will provide continuity for the co-ordination of programmes across the directorate giving guidance at the Flag & General Officer and Branch Head level in strategic and command priorities, the allocation of resources and achievement of transformational output. The incumbent must also be able to take decisions on policy and fiscal issues at internal and NATO boards on behalf of DCOS MDFD

Professional Contacts:

Required to brief and staff complex issues up to 4 star Flag & General officer level on a routine basis. Interacts on a daily basis with both 2 Star and 3 Star level Flag & General Officers. Interacts with and coordinates within the bounds of his responsibilities with HQ SACT/JWC/JFTC/JALLC/JATEC Command Group, DCOSs, ACOSs and Branch Heads. Represents SACT at relevant NATO and international meetings and DCOS MDFD at internal boards. Extensive communication at all levels throughout the organization will be required.

Contribution To Objectives:

The work of the incumbent significantly impacts both directly and indirectly to both the outputs and objectives of HQ SACT. The subject matter expertise on Force Development related activity development will guide and direct the objectives of numerous products and supporting areas both within and outside the command.

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 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 28 January 2026 @ 17:59hrs (EST)/11:59hrs (CET).