The Young Professionals Programme
Through times of crisis and peace, NATO has safeguarded our freedom and security for 75 years and counting. Threats evolve every day and NATO is continuing to adapt to keep us safe. Together we will make sure our Alliance remains ready today to face the challenges of tomorrow.
We are launching an accelerator for your international career – the third cycle of our Young Professionals Programme (YPP). Through this global three-year programme, you will experience the frontline of a political and military alliance and start a journey of personal and professional development in a diverse and inclusive work environment. Together, we will enable NATO to:
- Address existing and emerging global challenges with security implications;
- Facilitate political consultation and dialogue between Nations;
- Leverage innovation, science and technology to support peace and security;
- Stay ahead in cutting-edge domains such as cyber defence and aerospace;
- Support multiple operations on land, at sea and in the air around the world;
- Contribute to the global effort to combat terrorism, piracy and human trafficking; and,
- Run crisis management exercises that mobilize thousands of people and items of equipment.
Do you want to make a difference and help protect close to one billion people across 32 NATO member states, including your own? If you are ready to take on this challenge and are a national of a NATO member state, hold a Master’s degree and have at least one year of work experience, then apply for the YPP.
With you, we are stronger.
#WeAreNATO
Your role
During the three years of the programme, you will be assigned to three different NATO bodies:
Year 1 - NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) - (Capellen, Luxembourg)
Year 2 - Allied Command Operations (ACO) -SHAPE - (Mons, Belgium)
Year 3 - NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) - (Brussels, Belgium)
For more information, please see the path narrative here. You can also find more information about the NATO bodies here & the NATO Young Professionals Programme here.
This is an opportunity for you to apply your knowledge and skills in the broader area of Management, Finance and Economics. As you gain experience, you will be given increasing responsibilities, such as:
- Participating in the full lifecycle of financial services to an internationally diverse workforce. Business analysis and reporting, general ledger and management accounting are among the areas where you will gain experience;
- Supporting the Financial Directorate to ensure that the Headquarters and all of its Alliance Operations and Missions are properly funded. Ensure that funds are expended in accordance with NATO Financial Regulations and that best value is achieved for the amounts spent;
- Contributing to financial policies and procedures, business process documentation and improvements, financial communities;
- Contributing to developing resource assessments, analyses and studies in the scope of the NATO Security Investment Programme (NSIP) in order to support decision-making for the development of military capabilities;
- Supporting the multidisciplinary management of the military capability delivery governance model, including funding eligibility, affordability, and policy compliance;
- Contributing to performance audits and advisory engagements examining governance, risk management and internal control. Conducting data analytics projects. financial analysis, research and reviews;
- Participating in (fraud) risk assessments and counter-fraud activities;
- Conducting budget planning and analysis activities for the operation and maintenance budgets of NATO, supporting decision making of senior leadership and monitoring operational performance;
- Assisting in programme and project management, in particular concerning benefits and financial management, including operational performance, budget planning, execution and reporting;
- Supporting initiatives focused on culture, risk management and process change, including implementation of internal control frameworks and systems; and,
- Researching new trends within the areas of responsibilities of Management, Finance and Economics.
Who we are looking for
The changing pace of the world demands that NATO and its people remain flexible, eager to learn and able to work effectively with a variety of stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. For a YPP position, we are looking for candidates with at least one year of professional experience.
For the YPP Management, Finance and Economics path, we are generally interested in the following educational backgrounds:
- Master’s degree in Economics, Finance, Accounting, Business administration, Public administration, Mathematics, Management or related discipline;
- Any other degree that you believe can be useful to the area of Management, Finance and Economics – let us know how your knowledge and skills can be applied!
Any of the following experience or skills would be considered as an asset:
- Professional experience in finance, economics, auditing, accounting or in relevant functions;
- Experience in data analysis, budgeting, financial planning & in preparing financial reports and notes (periodical budget reports, directives or standard operating procedures (SOPs));
- Experience & interest in internal auditing (standards, principles and procedures (IIA)), in Risk Management methodologies or in fraud forensic techniques;
- Familiarity with an Internal Control framework and understanding of the Internal Controller role within an organization;
- Familiarity with strategy, operations and internal control analysis methodologies;
- An interest in the NATO financial & auditing processes, standards and regulations;
- An interest in commercial and/or government accounting standards, principles and procedures (e.g., IPSAS, IFRS);
- Ability to work with SharePoint, Excel, data analytics tools (Power Bi), ERP systems (such as Oracle e-Business Suite or SAP), audit systems (TeamMate) or other financial software;
- Completing or possessing a valid professional accounting or internal auditing certification (ACCA, CIA, CISA, CRMA,CFE...) issued by a recognized institution;
- Any additional training/certification(s) related to project or programme management certification (such as PMBOK, Prince2);
- Demonstration of an application of professional scepticism and professional judgment in the execution of core responsibilities
- Strong analytical & drafting skills;
- Proactivity, can-do attitude & willingness to learn and share information; and,
- Teamwork, excellent communication, facilitation and interpersonal skills.
What we offer
NATO will offer the Young Professionals:
- An experience of a lifetime at the forefront of an international organization where you’ll have the opportunity to develop your skills and expand your professional network;
- A diverse and stimulating work and personal experience where you will be assigned to three different NATO bodies around the globe, one each year; and,
- A competitive salary and other benefits, including excellent health insurance and a generous annual leave package of 30 days.
Are you interested in being part of NATO and the YPP? Apply by 27 October 2024 [23:59 – CET Brussels].
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: www.nato.int/recruitment
Please note that at the time of the interviews, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of their education and professional experience as relevant for this vacancy.
Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate) and approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser.
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)
