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

Implement the decisions of the ASB, and converting the directives and policies established by the Board into operating policy. Manage strategic communications and the public relations policy, in conjunction with the participating nations.

Expertise Development

Report on progress against Programme’s plans and objectives managed by the NSPA in accordance with established key performance indicators as required by the respective Programme Board.

Vision and Direction

Provide proposals for the Agency’s long-term development (vision) with respect to foreseeable key technology areas and additional trends of strategic relevance, e.g. digitalization. Develop a 5-year Strategic Framework for the development of the Agency by setting objectives aligned with mid-term framework requirements based on ASB’s Strategic Direction & Guidance.

Planning and Execution

Prepare plans for the organisation and operation of the Agency, in consultation with Programme Boards and Support or Procurement Partnership Committees, where appropriate, include streamlined processes and structures for management and coordination, and submit them for approval by the ASB. Ensure that the Agency engages with customers to fulfil requirements in an effective and efficient manner. Ensure, in accordance with the NATO Financial Regulations, that the necessary internal management functions are in place to support effective internal control, designed to provide reasonable assurance that the Agency will achieve its objectives in the following categories: safeguard assets; verify the accuracy and reliability of accounting data and records; promote operational efficiency, and compliance with established managerial and command policies. Report regularly to the ASB on progress against the plans and other objectives, including an adequate risk management process, set by the ASB, and promptly notifying it of any issue requiring urgent direction from the ASB or, when relevant, Programme Board. Prepare the Annual Report to be submitted by the ASB to the NAC in accordance with the NSPO Charter.

Financial Management

Prepare the draft Annual Financial Plan and financial reports of NSPA and submit them to the ASB, in accordance with the NSPO Charter. Submit to the ASB and the International Board of Auditors for NATO, annual financial statements in accordance with Council approved standards, including the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) as adopted by NATO, and the provisions of the NATO Financial Regulations. Exercise the delegated authority, pursuant to the NSPO Charter and the NSPO Procurement Regulations to conclude contracts, acquire and dispose property in the name of NATO.

People Management

Select, appoint and release the Agency’s civilian personnel, in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations (NCPR) and NSPO HR Regulations, and accept offered military personnel, subject to approval by the ASB or the responsible Programme Board for posts of grade 22:A5 and above. Lead a team of approximately 1,850 international staff members, through her/his direct reports (approximately 15). Ensure the development of staff through sound and inclusive management principles. Monitor and promote performance by ensuring that common standards are applied across the Agency and by fostering continuous improvement.

Stakeholder Management

Liaise closely with the NSPO ASB Chairperson, national representatives to the NSPO ASB, subordinate bodies, Programme Boards, Support or Procurement Partnership Committees, NATO Headquarters and NATO Military Authorities in executing the Mission of NSPO.

Representation of the Organisation

Brief the NAC at least once a year, on the operation of the Agency. Participate in all meetings of the ASB unless otherwise decided, in special cases, by that Board; and participate in all meetings of the NSPO subordinate committees unless otherwise decided, in special cases, by the subordinate committee concerned. Represent the Agency at Senior Policy Committees and other committees as required. Participate in meetings of Programme Boards, when so decided.

Organisational Efficiencies

Implement best practices, lessons learned, policies and tools in relation to common support functions. Facilitate the use of shared services, in cooperation with the NATO shared services environment, and under the direction of the ASB. Implement security measures to protect NATO information, assets and personnel in accordance with NATO Security Policy and supporting directives, including taking measures to protect NATO Information Infrastructure consistent with NATO Cyber Defence Policy. Act to resolve issues between Programmes assigned to the NSPA, in coordination with their respective Programme Boards, and reporting issues that cannot be resolved in this way to the ASB.

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.