Deputy Head, Linguistic Services and Digital Transformation Lead, Brussels

**PENDING BUDGET APPROVAL**

1. SUMMARY 

NATO’s Council Secretariat (CONSEC) bears overall responsibility for the end-to-end enablement of Alliance consultation and decision-making processes – from planning and organization to their effective and efficient implementation. It thereby provides organizational support, advice and linguistic services to the NATO Secretary General and the North Atlantic Council (NAC), as well as to individual Allies and Partners.
The Deputy Head, Linguistic Services and Digital Transformation Lead, mainly leads the Linguistic Services’ transition into a digitally transformed AI-enabled service. The incumbent shapes and implements the objectives of the Linguistic Services as far as digital transformation is concerned, ensuring a balance between high pressure and timely delivery of relevant programmes and projects. The incumbent also deputizes for the Head, Linguistic Services, as required. 
This position requires flexibility to work outside of normal working hours when needed.

2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The incumbent must:
•  possess a university degree relevant to the position, or an equivalent level of qualification;
•  have at least 7 years of experience in leading change, managing cross-functional teams and implementing state-of-the art project in support of language services, including at least 3 years in management positions; 
•  have excellent communication skills, both oral and written;
•  have experience in the development and integration of AI-powered tools to support streamlined translation and interpretation workflows; and
•  possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French):  VI (“Proficiency”) in one and V (“Advanced”) in the other.

The following would be considered assets:
•  a perfect command of both NATO languages; and
•  in-depth knowledge of the latest innovations in the field of language services, including augmented interpretation and AI supported translation tools/solutions.

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Planning and Execution: Lead the planning, coordination and the overall organization of the Linguistic Services digital transformation. Lead and support change management initiatives. Provide strategic advice to the Head, Linguistic Services with regard to technological innovations in the field of language services.

People Management: Lead, plan, direct and supervise the work of the Linguistic Planning and Digital Transformation Office staff, while driving performance and encouraging teamwork and cooperation. Coach and mentor assigned staff, and be available to offer guidance. Ensure that all staff under their responsibility are clear on the team objectives. Provide regular and fair feedback on performance via the Achievement and Development Plan (ADP) system. Promote integrity, professionalism and accountability through a sound and inclusive leadership culture. 

Organizational Efficiencies: Update working methods and processes in a continued effort to increase efficiency and drive change. 

Stakeholder Management: Establish and maintain continuous contact with various stakeholders, meeting the needs and expectations of customers. 

Perform any other related duty as necessary.

4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS

Reporting Line: The Deputy Head, Linguistic Services and Digital Transformation Lead reports to the Head, Linguistic Services. 
Interactions: The incumbent collaborates closely with Linguistic Services staff and other International Staff members. They may be called upon to establish or maintain contact with managers and officers in the various Divisions and Independent Offices of NATO IS.

Direct reports: 10
Indirect reports: 3

5. COMPETENCIES

The incumbent must demonstrate:
•     Achievement: creates own measures of excellence and improves performance.
•     Change Leadership: personally, leads change.
•     Clarity and accuracy: monitors data or projects.
•     Conceptual thinking: applies learned concepts.
•     Flexibility: adapts own strategy.
•     Impact and Influence: takes multiple actions to persuade.
•     Initiative: plans and acts up to a year ahead.
•     Leadership: promotes team effectiveness.
•     Organizational Awareness: understands the organization’s climate and culture.
•     Self-Control: responds calmly.

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, during which the incumbent may apply for conversion to an indefinite duration contract.

Contract clause applicable:

In accordance with the contract policy, this is a post in which turnover is desirable for political reasons in order to be able to accommodate the Organisation's need to carry out its tasks as mandated by the Nations in a changing environment, for example by maintaining the flexibility necessary to shape the Organisation's skills profile, and to ensure appropriate international diversity.

The maximum period of service foreseen in this post is 6 years. 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. However, according to the procedure described in the contract policy the incumbent may apply for conversion to an indefinite contract during the period of renewal and no later than one year before the end of contract.

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. The maximum period of service in the post as a seconded staff member is six years.

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:

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More information about the recruitment process and conditions of employment, can be found at our website (

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 reference documents without proper quotes (plagiarism), or any tools available on internet, including but not limited to translation facilities, or generative artificial-intelligence (AI) 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 tools will be rejected without further consideration, 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.

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. 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.

NATO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. For more info please click here .