Who we are:

For 75 years, NATO’s mission has been to preserve peace and security in the Alliance for nearly one billion citizens. The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) and its predecessors have worked tirelessly in providing the means that enable the connectedness and togetherness that keep our Alliance strong. We are the NCIA, a team of 3000 civilian and military staff in 29 locations throughout Europe, North America and Asia.

Our technology and cyber experts allow NATO to conduct critical operations, protect NATO’s airspace, make data-driven decisions, defend against cyber-attacks, secure NATO networks and maintain superiority in space. This is all possible because of our greatest force, our people. In order to keep this edge we aim to hire, train and retain the very best staff.

The role:

The Chief People Officer (CPO) leads the alignment of talent, performance, and employee experience with the NCIA’s business goals and objectives. The CPO drives the creation of efficient, solution driven policies, tools and services to build, maintain and enhance our workforce. Serving as a strategic partner to both the NCIA’s corporate and operational delivery teams, the CPO provides a people driven approach when addressing the NCIA’s collective challenges. The CPO will lead the NCIA's ambition of becoming a top employer of choice in defence technology; attracting top talent, as well as investing in current staff to foster a high-achieving, engaged and inclusive workforce.

As a direct report of the NCIA General Manager, the CPO is a member of the NCIA Executive Management Team and will play a pivotal role in defining the NCIA’s overarching People Strategy. Finally, the CPO will lead and be supported by the wider Chief People Office.

The CPO will be responsible for delivering the following capabilities:

• Subject Matter Expertise: Responsible for defining the NCIA’s People Strategy and overseeing the design and execution of key strategic people related projects and initiatives. Accountable for creating and developing modern policies and processes that improve staff performance and behaviours as well as organisational efficiency and culture – all in support of delivering positive business results. Provide vision, direction, actionable insights and business intelligence to senior management to ensure that human resources remain a strategic driver to the performance of the NCIA. Oversee the implementation and monitor standards for wider Chief People Office activities: workforce management, talent acquisition, talent development, organisational development and change, and HR staff services.

• Leadership: Provide high-level leadership and strategic direction to ensure the efficient and high quality delivery of projects and services. Lead by example, providing the management team and staff with clear and actionable direction. Build, maintain and strengthen relations with internal and external stakeholders to mobilise resources and commitments in support of relevant NCIA strategic priorities. Play a key role representing the NCIA, as required, in Agency Governance Bodies, committees, meetings and conferences to promote NATO’s interests and strategic goals.

• Management and Coordination: Lead, motivate and contribute to the professional development and performance management of staff. Ensure delivery of high-quality work within set deadlines, efficient working methods and a constructive working atmosphere. Build and lead a cohesive, multicultural and multidisciplinary team, promoting excellence, the highest professional standards and be responsible for contributing to create a work environment where managers support staff in developing their full potential.

For a full list of duties, please review the job description on the NCIA career site.

Who you are:

The successful candidate will possess the following qualifications and expertise:

• A Master’s degree at a nationally recognized/certified university in Business Management or other relevant discipline and 15 years post-related experience. Or a Bachelor’s degree with 20 years post related experience.
• A strong HR leadership background with at least 10 years of relevant experience, working within fast-paced environments and having a good understanding of multinational environments and its challenges.
• Significant experience in a senior leadership position, involving leading and managing business operations at the scale of 2000+ employees.
• Proven experience working as an integral member of an executive level management team charged with concurrently delivering 100s of complex projects on time and within budget.
• Experience in large-scale organisational change management, innovation and transformation processes.
• Thorough knowledge of state-of-the-art human capital management concepts with extensive practical experience in developing and implementing human resource policies and practices that lead to productivity improvements.
• Experience leading and implementing new HR Information Systems and Tools with a good knowledge and understanding of emerging technology trends in the field of HR Information Systems.
• Proven experience conducting relations at senior level and within a political decision-making environment.
• Experience in managing large, diverse and multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrable experience displaying high degree of Emotional Intelligence and ability to deal authoritatively with complex and sensitive human resources personnel issues tactfully and discretely.

What do we offer?

• Genuinely meaningful work as part of the most successful alliance in history
• Initial three year contract with a competitive monthly tax-free salary and household and children’s allowances
• Privileges for expatriate staff including expatriation and education allowances (where appropriate) and additional home leave
• Excellent private health insurance scheme
• Generous annual leave of 30 days plus official holidays
• Retirement Pension Plan


To learn more about our mission and goals at the NCIA, please visit our website.

The NCIA prides itself on being an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment of mutual respect and value uniqueness and differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnic or cultural origin, age, religion, sexual orientation and physical or neurocognitive ability.

Additional details on the conditions of application can be found via the NCIA career site.