NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
Job Description - Challenge Manager (Halifax and London) (241809)
Primary Location
United Kingdom-London
Other Locations
NATO Body
Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA)
Schedule
Full-time
Application Deadline
19-Jan-2025, 10:59:00 PM
Salary (Pay Basis)
8,495.61 Pound Sterling (GBP) Monthly
Grade NATO Grade G20
Overview of DIANA
The Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) is NATO’s newest body. From across the Alliance, DIANA will bring together innovators and operational end users to foster a transatlantic ecosystem supporting dual-use ground-breaking innovation in deep technologies.
DIANA is an independent NATO body comprised of an Allied Board of Directors and an executive management team - the DIANA Executive (DX). Operating out of regional offices in Europe and in North America, the DX will conduct DIANA’s mission: accelerating deep tech, dual-use solutions to critical transatlantic challenges in defence and security.
DIANA is a dynamic, agile and hybrid workplace, which strives for innovation, diversity, and excellence. In order to achieve these aims, DIANA is committed to providing our people with an environment that is positive, inclusive, and collaborative.
Overview of the Role
DIANA’s Challenge Programmes will combine the vision and inspiration of the Challenge Manager with external insights and engagement from across the Alliance’s innovation ecosystems and the NATO Enterprise. The Challenge Manager should join as an experienced professional from academic labs, government R&D, or the corporate sector and be ready to immediately leverage their deep technical knowledge and professional networks to drive the creation of new programs.
The incumbent should hold experience and expertise in one or more of the following areas (priority areas in bold):
• Next Generation Communications
• Energy & Propulsion
• Infrastructure Resilience
• Human Health & Biotechnology
• Web 3.0
• Novel Materials
• AI
• Autonomy
• Quantum
• Space
Duties of the role include:
1. Conduct and implement DIANA‘s Challenge Programs in collaboration with DIANA affiliated Acceleration Sites and Test Centers.
2. Coordinate with stakeholders across the NATO enterprise and member nations to develop the biannual Strategic Direction document.
3. Engage technically with DIANA-affiliated start-up companies and provide technical guidance during the Phase 1 of the Accelerator Program.
4. Develop, refine, and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for DIANA’s Challenge Program(s).
5. Lead the selection and coordination of Evaluation Panels for each year’s Challenge program solicitations.
6. Provide cross-functional support to the other strands of work of DIANA.
7. Represent DIANA in different fora, including seminars, conferences, and official visits.
8. Perform any other related duty as assigned.
Role Requirements, Qualifications and Experience
ESSENTIAL
The incumbent must:
* Possess an advanced university degree from an institute of recognized standing or equivalent qualification, in a science or engineering field;
* Have at least 8 years’ experience in technology development, innovation and other STEM related fields;
* Have at least 4 years' experience engaging with private sector entrepreneurs;
* Be familiar with government, industry, and/or academic laboratories;
* Have technical experience working and negotiating with experts from other fields;
* Be experienced in a leadership position;
* Be experienced in project management;
* Possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; and I (“Beginner”) in the other.
DESIRABLE
The following would be considered an advantage:
* PhD degree in STEM relative fields;
* Expertise in one or more of the following areas:
o Next Generation Communications
o Energy & Propulsion
o Infrastructure Resilience
o Human Health & Biotechnology
o Web 3.0
* Experience in designing and executing a challenge or technology competition programme;
* Experience with or in accelerators/incubators with a deep tech focus;
* Experience working in a multilateral environment;
* Experience in providing guidance and mentorship to junior staff;
* Project Management Certification;
* Knowledge of and experience working with technical NATO bodies.
Language Proficiency:
A thorough knowledge of one of the two NATO languages, both written and spoken, is essential and some knowledge of the other is desirable.
WHAT WE OFFER
* Genuinely meaningful work as part of the newest unit within the most successful alliance in history.
* Tax-free salary.
* Household and children’s allowances and privileges for expatriate staff.
* Excellent private health insurance scheme.
* NATO pension scheme.
* Generous annual leave of 30 days plus official holidays.
* Flexible working conditions and a smoke-free office in London/ Halifax.
* Opportunities for learning and development.
The incumbent is required to be a resident in the host nation for the duration of their contract. Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance and approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser.
For more information on DIANA, please visit our website: https://www.diana.nato.int
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