Branch Head, Business Management Systems & Control

1.    SUMMARY
The Office of Financial Control (OFC) is responsible for the management of financial and budgetary control systems for several NATO entities, primarily the NATO International Staff (IS) and its civil budget.

As the custodian of member Nations’ funds, the OFC provides reliable and value adding financial and procurement services in support of IS Divisions and offices, as well as a number of extra budgetary funds (including trust funds) and bilateral arrangements, enabling them to achieve Organization’s objectives. It works to comply with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and other best practices, including the management of enterprise risk.

The OFC’s main goal is to be a proactive financial partner, providing insightful analysis and collaborative guidance that enables the Secretary General and NATO IS organization as a whole to achieve its strategic objectives, maximizing the efficient and effective use of financial resources while ensuring compliance.

• The OFC is organised around five functions, with a Front Office overseeing these functions:
• o    Budget, Procurement and Reporting; 
• o    Accounting and Finance, including Missions (Duty Travels);
• o    Treasury;
• o    Business Management Systems & Control; and 
• o    Programmes & Business Support.

The Business Management Systems & Control Branch (BMS & C) is responsible for providing direction and oversight over user aspects of design, development, implementation, and operation of the ERP system and other financial and procurement systems. It takes overall responsibility for the design, implementation, and testing of an effective Internal Control Framework to ensure sound financial practices are applied.

The Branch provides first-line support to a variety of NATO Financial systems (including Oracle EBS, Hyperion, Notilus and the Treasury management System), providing a holistic and integrated solution to support finance, procurement, budgetary and human resources business processes, while safeguarding controls, managing risk and ensuring regulatory compliance. The Branch plays a key role in supporting the production of the annual financial statements and leads the generation of the annual Statement of Internal Control.

The Branch Head is responsible for setting the strategic direction and leading change with regard to modernising NATO Financial systems, tools and processes as the Alliance progresses with its digital transformation agenda. In addition, the incumbent ensures that the OFC is a leading example across the NATO enterprise in relation to the control environment. The incumbent ensures that up-to-date techniques are implemented to optimise and strengthen our internal controls to ensure compliance with the relevant standards and best practices (NATO Financial Regulations, IPSAS, CPRS, Code of Conduct, etc).

Key challenges facing the successful candidate for this post during the next 2-3 years will include:
1.    Integrating a number of currently dispersed financial systems and tools in line with a, to be developed, vision and roadmap, maximizing its potential and strengthening the Internal Control environment across the OFC and it’s area of responsibility; 
2.    Leading on the scoping, sourcing and implementation of a next generation ERP system for the NATO IS, covering the full spectrum of business support functions (Budgeting, Procurement, Accounting, Human Resources, Facilities & Asset Management, and General Support functions).
3.    Identifying innovative tools and implementing changes to streamline processes and procedures and enhance productivity through the implementation of automation technology, including the introduction of Artificial Intelligence.
4.    Enhancing the knowledge, skills and expertise of the staff in the Branch, across the OFC and the wider NATO user community to ensure the IS capitalises on changes and ultimately improves efficiency, increases control and quality, and enhances business partnering and collaboration.

In addition to the application form, candidates are expected to submit a Word or pdf document, maximum of two A4 pages, summarizing their views on the key challenges (and possible other) challenges, and how they would address them if selected for the position. This essay will be evaluated as part of the shortlisting assessment (see full instructions on how to apply at the end of this vacancy notice).

Please note that the competition for this post is provisionally scheduled as follows:
Pre-selection testing mid November 2025;
Final selection mid January 2026, in Brussels, Belgium.

2.    QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL
The incumbent must:

•    have a university degree from an institute of recognized standing in management information systems, operations research, economics, accounting, business process engineering, business administration, public administration, finance, or related discipline;
•    have at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in the field of financial management, accounting, and/or internal control, out of which at least 5 years in team management and coordination;
•    have proven, tangible experience in implementing ERP systems in International Organisations at a senior level;
•    have experience of working with internationally-recognised internal control frameworks and risk management methods and protocols, 
•    have significant experience in the implementation, support, or administration of Oracle E-Business Suite applications;
•    possess experience as a project lead or team lead, in the implementation or support of information systems;
•    have demonstrable analytical skills and the capacity to summarise complex situations, making these understandable to non-subject matter experts;
•    possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; III (“Intermediate”) in the other.

DESIRABLE
The following would be considered an advantage:

• •    knowledge of and experience in using the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) framework;
• •    exposure to integrated IT tools to consolidate compliance, risk and internal controls (e.g. Oracle Governance, Risk and Compliance Manager (GRC));
• •    experience with the implementation or use of robotic process automation or other modern business-process-automation technologies;
• •    experience in the implementation, support, or administration of Oracle Hyperion products;
• •    experience in the implementation, support, or administration of Oracle Business Intelligence or other comparable business intelligence platforms;
• •    formal education on Oracle E-Business Suite applications;
• •    knowledge of commercial and/or government accounting standards, principles and procedures (e.g., IPSAS, IFRS);
• •    an advanced university degree (MS, MA, MBA, MPA or equivalent) or a post graduate diploma in a field relevant for this position;
• •    knowledge of NATO IS’ mandate, financial regulations, and governance structure;
• •    knowledge of public procurement principles and procedures.
• 3.    MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES
• Vision and Direction

Develop, communicate and implement a vision for the development of the Branch. Unite the team around common objectives, ensuring that vision guides its mid and long-term programme of work. Act as a role model of inclusive leadership and promote resilience, flexibility and innovation. Advise senior leadership on key elements in the decision-making process(es).

Planning and Execution
Lead change management efforts in the OFC by driving improvements in business processes, tools and standards. Ensure that finance and business management systems are operational and well understood in the OFC and across the IS. Direct and coordinate initiatives aimed at the digital transformation inside the OFC. Provide strategic direction and guidance to the change control process and lead the implementation of new systems or system upgrades. Ensure the accurate translation of business requirements into system functional and non-functional requirements.  Ensure that optimised internal controls are in place to execute the Office of Financial Control mission; that they address all risks in the areas of compliance, reporting, operations and preservation of assets. Facilitate the production of the financial statements and Statements of Internal Control in a timely and efficient manner.

Project Management
Direct, guide and steer multiple projects, typically (but not exclusively) involving the development and implementation of business management systems and tools to meet identified business needs, acquiring and utilising the necessary resources and skills, within agreed parameters of cost, timescales, and quality. Manage issues relating to the integration of budgeting, procurement and financial control systems and procedures in the daily work of the OFC and IS. Assist in evaluating progress in COSO and ERP use and contribute to issue resolution processes, taking corrective action as necessary. Provide strategic direction and oversight to projects across the NATO IS, where OFC is likely to be impacted and ensure progression to a modern financial operation is achieved in a documented and systematic manner.

Stakeholder Management
Coordinate relationships with and between key stakeholders, during design, management and implementation of business change. Interface with the IS client base, the ERP team, the system administrators, and NATO counterparts. Ensure positive and productive involvement in the internal control and risk management process across the NATO IS. Work in close collaboration with the NATO user community and lead and facilitate system requirements management processes. Establish and maintain relationships with a broad range of staff from NATO-IS, Agencies, Programmes and Delegations to deliver services to all concerned. Anticipate and resolve conflict by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Represent OFC interests in cross-functional teams, management boards, and contractual negotiations as required.

Policy Development
Contribute to setting guidelines and procedures in consultation with OFC Heads of Service, other Divisions concerned and other relevant NATO entities for new work processes and quality control of internal procedures in line with best practices and standards. Oversee system administration and data management policies and procedures (e.g., security policies, internal control rules, and master data standards), and provide direction on the implementation of relevant audit recommendations. Ensure that robust documentation is in place to underpin the Internal Control environment that is subjected to regular tests of effectiveness.

People Management
Lead, motivate and supervise the BMS & C staff. Oversee the Business Management Systems section as well as the Internal Control team, monitor their work, encourage initiative, and support the creativity of team members. Communicate on best practices, business processes, budgeting, and systems-related aspects. Provide mentoring, coaching and training opportunities, offering guidance at critical moments. Ensure that all unit staff have clarity about organisational, branch and section objectives. Provide regular, fair and objective feedback on performance, both informally and via the HQ Performance Review and Development (PRD) cycle. Ensure the development of the team through sound and inclusive management principles

Organisational Efficiencies
Keep abreast of, evaluate and propose innovative working tools (e.g. use of electronic tools, project management, financial reporting, customer funding models) as well as efficiencies in systems and working practices. Possess the stamina and inspiration to engage staff in efforts to modernise NATO. Design solutions required to automate business processes and resolve business issues in a particular business or functional area. Lead efforts to ensure that the financial management and control processes are adopted by users and clients at NATO HQ. Review the Branch’s operations to identify processes and structures for improvement in view of increasing the efficiency and overall performance of the service.

Knowledge Management
Remain abreast of developments in budget, procurement and financial management in both private and public sectors as relevant to NATO. Oversee the periodic review of BMS & C policies, practices and planning to ensure continuous effectiveness and relevance in terms of meeting the needs of all of IS's Divisions, overseeing the implementation and distribution of significant changes

Representation of the Organisation
Represent OFC position in cross-functional teams, management boards, and contractual negotiations. Assist and represent, when so delegated, the Financial Controller in committee meetings concerning budgetary matters. 
Perform any other related duty as assigned.

4.    Interrelationships

The incumbent reports to the Financial Controller and supervises a team of Business Management Systems Officers & Coordinators, Internal Control Officers and a number of consultants. The incumbent works in close collaboration with other enterprise projects and with OFC Heads of Service as well as internal clients, particualary Information, Communication and Technology Management (ICTM), Human Resources and others. The incumbent might deputise for the Financial Controller in line with the delegated authority when required. 
Direct reports: 2
Indirect reports: 8

5.    Competenciesthe Incumbent Must Demonstrate:

•    Achievement: Sets and works to meet challenging goals;
•    Change Leadership: Personally leads change;
•    Conceptual Thinking: Clarifies complex data or situations;
•    Developing Others: Provides in-depth mentoring, coaching and training;
•    Impact and Influence: Uses indirect influence;
•    Initiative: Plans and acts for the long-term;
•    Leadership: Positions self as the leader;
•    Organisational Awareness: Understands organisational politics;
•    Self-Control: Stays composed and positive even under extreme pressure.
 

7. USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

https://www.nato.int/structur/recruit/2025/article-7.pdf

8. Additional Information

https://www.nato.int/structur/recruit/2025/encoding-vacancies.pdf