Section Head (Sr Staff Officer/AI CAPDEV & Governance)

The Section Head for AI Capability Development and Governance leads NATO's data and AI strategies, ensuring alignment with military operational needs and strategic priorities. The role involves leading a multicultural team, developing policies and governance frameworks for AI, and supporting NATO's AI transformation and capability development lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a diverse, multicultural team, setting clear objectives and ensuring alignment with the Data Science & AI Branch (DSAI) and broader NATO organizational goals.
• Represent the branch when required, including deputizing for higher-grade staff as necessary.
• Efficiently manage budgetary and human resources to ensure optimal delivery of DSAI objectives.
• Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and implement metrics to monitor the section’s effectiveness, driving continuous improvement.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the AI Capability Development and Governance Section, ensuring compliance with NATO and ACT policies, standards, and best practices.
• Provide thought leadership and technical expertise to support NATO’s AI Transformation Plans and policy development for HQ SACT; advise on guidance to ACT while assisting strategic engagements of SACT and DSACT.
• Develop and oversee policies related to AI technical standards, including data management, algorithm safety, security, and assurance.
• Analyze legislative and regulatory changes impacting NATO AI initiatives, assess technical feasibility and regulatory challenges, and provide informed military advice to support leadership decisions and transformation initiatives within NATO HQ.
• Coordinate ACT input with NATO HQ and NATO Military Authorities (NMA) for policy development, providing expert analysis and advising senior leaders on the impact of key AI policy initiatives.
• Maintain close interaction with HQ SACT, NATO HQ, and ACO/SHAPE.
• Lead the drafting of ACT and Bi-SC strategic policy papers, and contribute to NMA’s advisory role to the North Atlantic Council (NAC) on Data Science and AI-related issues.
• Monitor activities of relevant Centres of Excellence (COEs) within the DSAI portfolio and support associated policy development and coordination matters.
• Execute tasks assigned within the frameworks of the Data Exploitation Framework Strategic Plan, NATO Data Exploitation Programme, Digital Transformation Implementation Strategy, and NATO AI Strategy.
• Support the development and initial implementation of data science and AI capabilities across NATO Enterprise and HQ SACT, prioritizing both operational and business needs.
• Provide SME expertise for requirements capture and capability development when needed.
• Contribute to data science activities, including data visualization initiatives, by creating dashboards and reports that enhance decision-making through clear communication of findings.
• Support the review of data science and AI processes, products, or activities by developing detailed reports that analyze and interpret relevant policy issues impacting NATO’s AI mission.
• Stay updated on advancements in data science and AI; share insights to drive innovation and contribute thought leadership to support strategic development of NATO Enterprise AI policies, strategies, and initiatives.
• Undertake additional duties or tasks as assigned by leadership to support the branch and NATO Enterprise objectives.

Requirements

• University Degree in information technology, information systems engineering, business administration, quality engineering or related discipline and 6 years post related experience, or Higher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training in that discipline leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 6 years post related and 2 years function related experience.
• 6 years experience in applying and managing digital technologies (e.g., AI, cloud computing, data analytics) within defense, security, or international organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to create and execute strategic plans, define objectives, and oversee performance to align with organizational missions and goals.
• Verified expertise in developing and implementing policies, standards, and guidelines for Data Science and AI (DSAI) following industry best practices.
• Exceptional analytical abilities, with strong skills in summarizing extensive information and communicating effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
• Hands-on experience with modern software architecture and development practices related to data science, analytics, and data integration.
• Strong communication skills to convey findings and data-driven insights effectively to non-technical audiences, both orally and in writing.
• Basic understanding of military capability development processes at the national level or within NATO.
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse functional teams.
• English – SLP 3333 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)
• Understanding of NATO’s organizational structure, functions, and processes, with prior experience working with NATO data, systems, or policies.
• Experience or familiarity with modern software engineering and deployment environments to support informed governance, policy development, and capability maturation efforts.
• Understanding of AI methodologies (e.g., NLP, ML, CV) and experience assessing their applicability, maturity, and implications in operational contexts.
• Experience working within a military staff environment, with demonstrated knowledge of military operations, planning, and decision-making processes, particularly within NATO or similar multi-national organizations.
• Experience in leading complex, cross-functional initiatives involving diverse stakeholders and teams, ideally within defence, government, or large multinational organizations, including strategic planning, risk management, and resource prioritization.
• University degree from a nationally recognized/certified University or certification in a relevant discipline such as computer science, engineering disciplines, statistics or similar numerate discipline, operations research, or a related field.
• French - SLP 3333 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

Skills

• Digital Technologies Management
• AI Policy Frameworks
• Data Science Governance
• Strategic Planning
• Performance Management
• Software Architecture
• Data Analytics
• Data Integration
• Military Capability Development
• NATO Organizational Knowledge
• Software Engineering
• AI Methodologies
• Natural Language Processing
• Machine Learning
• Computer Vision
• Military Operations Knowledge
• Cross-functional Leadership
• Risk Management
• Response Prioritization
• Multicultural Team Leadership
• English Language Proficiency
• French Proficiency

Languages

English, French