General Manager, NATO Support And Procurement Agency (nspa)

Executive Management

The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) brings together, in a single organisation, acquisition, logistic, medical and infrastructural capabilities, operational and systems support and services to the NATO nations, NATO Military Authorities and Partner nations. As NATO's primary enabler, its mission is to provide effective and cost-efficient multinational solutions to the Alliance, its 32 Nations and Partners. NSPA is a customer-funded agency, operating on a "no profit - no loss" basis.

NSPA's General Manager is directly responsible to the NATO Support and Procurement Organisation's (NSPO) Agency Supervisory Board (ASB) for the effective and efficient running of the Agency. In accordance with the authorities vested in the General Manager, pursuant to the NSPO Charter and relevant NSPO Regulations / Directives, the General Manager shall:

• manage the activities of the NSPA;
• negotiate and accept taskings directly from NSPA's customers consistent with ASB policies, decisions and guidance;
• exercise authority delegated to her/him by the ASB.

The role establishes and maintains strong relationships with all relevant stakeholders within the NSPO, including the NSPO ASB and subordinate committees, Programme Boards and Support or Procurement Partnership Committees, as well as with NSPO Member and Partner Nations.

Key challenges facing the successful candidate during the next 3 years (2027-2029) are likely to include: leading and managing an efficient and cost effective Agency which is responsive to diverse customer requirements, and adapts to a growing demand from Member and Partner Nations; sustaining and ensuring the timely responsiveness of the Agency's operational logistics support capability in an evolving geostrategic context; further developing the Agency's acquisition capability.

Candidates are asked, as part of this application, to attach one MS Word document, summarising their views on these key (and possible other) challenges and how they would address them if selected for the position. This essay, which should be no more than 2 A4 pages long, will be evaluated as part of the assessment.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Possess a Master's degree from an institute of recognised standing, preferably in business, management or logistics;
• Have at least 10 years of senior leadership and management experience in general and operational logistics, in a sizeable organisation;
• Have the capacity to manage, lead, inspire and engage a diverse and multidisciplinary team;
• Have experience in leading change management;
• Have proven ability in innovative, strategic, conceptual thinking;
• Have the ability to facilitate consensus building using strong negotiating skill to achieve desired outcomes;
• Have experience of working in a multinational environment, or an environment with a variety of stakeholders from diverse backgrounds;
• Have sound experience in both defence procurement/acquisition and support activities;
• Proven performance record of achievement of corporate objectives in direct leadership of a large and diverse organisation;
• Have experience of building customer-focused environments with highly successful customer relationships;
• A very good knowledge of one of the two NATO languages, both written and spoken, is essential and some knowledge of the other is desirable.

Desirable

• Knowledge and/or experience in NATO structures and processes.
• A good understanding of the political and operational environment in which NATO operates.

Main Accountabilities

The General Manager, as the Head of NATO Body, shall, even in the case where s/he has delegated a portion of her/his authority to her/his staff, be directly responsible to the ASB for the efficient and effective operation of the NSPA to include, but not limited to:

• Policy Development
• Expertise Development
• Vision and Direction
• Planning and Execution
• Financial Management
• People Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Representation of the Organisation
• Organisational Efficiencies
• Other responsibilities: In accordance with NATO policy, conducting duty travel, as required in support of NAC- approved operations and missions, on a case-by-case basis, by traveling to associated theatre/mission locations, especially where Agency personnel are/will be serving; performing other managerial functions as required in peacetime and any official functions assigned in times of crisis or war; in the event of crisis or war the incumbent will, subject to the agreement of her/his national authorities, remain in the service of the Agency.

Interrelationships

The General Manager shall be directly responsible to the ASB and leads the NSPA in its day to day operations against set priorities and planning and executing necessary transformation.

Direct Reports: 12

Indirect Reports: 100

Competencies

• Achievement: demonstrates decisiveness based on solid considerations and trade-offs;
• Change Leadership: champions change;
• Conceptual Thinking: creates new concepts;
• Developing Others: provides in-depth mentoring, coaching and training;
• Impact and Influence: uses complex influence strategies;
• Initiative: plans and acts for the long-term;
• Empathy: listens actively;
• Flexibility: acts with flexibility;
• Leadership: communicates a compelling vision;
• Organisational Awareness: understands underlying issues.

Contract

The successful applicant will be employed for an initial period of 3 years. Exceptionally, there may be the possibility of a one or two year's extension thereafter.

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;
• 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.

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.

NATO is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible working environment, where all candidates living with disabilities can fully participate in the recruitment and selection process. If you require reasonable accommodation, please inform us during your selection process.

Candidates will be required to provide documented medical evidence to support their request for accommodation.

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.