Head of Human Resources in London

DIANA is the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic, a NATO body dedicated to finding and accelerating innovation to provide decisive defence and security effects for the Alliance, while fostering deep-tech innovation. NATO DIANA is comprised of a Board of Directors, representing all 32 nations, and an operational team referred to as the DIANA Executive ("DX"). Operating from three offices in Europe and North America, the DX leverages a network of military end users, world-leading accelerator sites, test centres, professional mentors and experts, and Allied expertise to accelerate the most innovative technologies from across the NATO Alliance. DIANA is a dynamic, agile workplace, which strives for innovative thinking, diversity, and performance excellence across all teams. To achieve our mission, DIANA is committed to providing our people with an environment that is positive, inclusive and collaborative. We are seeking dynamic individuals who are eager to learn, upskill and bring innovative thinking to our team. Ideal candidates will excel at thinking outside the box and collaborating effectively with a diverse range of colleagues from various backgrounds, including different nationalities and levels of experience. By fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment, you will play a crucial role in supporting and advancing DIANA’s mission.

The DX operates as one team out of three locations, the European Regional Office in London (United Kingdom), the North American Regional Office in Halifax (Canada) and the European Regional Hub in Tallinn (Estonia). DX staff will work in full integration with one another across locations to develop and implement DIANA activities.

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE

The Head of Human Resources is the DX’s senior authority for all human resources matters and is responsible for leading, managing, and continuously developing the HR function for the DX. This includes overseeing organizational design, recruitment (including relocations, removals, and privileges and immunities), talent management and performance, training and development, staff services (including payroll, pensions, and insurances), leave and time tracking, leading administrative reviews, mediations, and complaint processes, and HR policy and strategy coordination. The incumbent must also be able to manage and lead the HR team, which requires managing ongoing business while also driving change in a resource constrained environment. This role is accountable for ensuring compliant implementation of the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations and the DIANA Charter, for representing DIANA at the Advisory Panel on Administration, and ensuring accurate records are provided for internal and external auditors, including IBAN. The Head of Human Resources is ultimately responsible for ensuring that all HR policies, systems, and services enable DIANA to deliver its strategic objectives and make progress within the NATO-wide Human Resources Strategy.

Duties of this role include:

• Implement DIANA’s HR strategy in alignment with organisational objectives, Board-approved strategic guidance, and the NATO-wide Human Resource Strategy.
• Advise the Managing Director and senior leadership on all workforce and HR policy and procedural matters; translating complex concepts, strategies, and policies clearly and concisely.
• Ensure the effective use of HR data, analytics, and systems to support evidence-based decision-making related to personnel.
• Support leaders across DIANA in strengthening leadership capability, employee engagement, performance, and wellbeing.
• Champion DIANA’s values, ways of working, and commitment to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility across all duty stations.
• Exercise overall management of the HR function and its staff while managing a complex change agenda.
• Lead, motivate, and develop the HR team, creating a professional, inclusive, and high-performing work environment.
• Ensure consistent application, review, and continuous improvement of HR policies, procedures, and practices in line with NATO regulations and directives.
• Represent HR as DIANA’s principal authority on workforce and people matters with external stakeholders, including other NATO bodies, committees, and member Nations, as required.
• Build and maintain strong professional networks across the NATO Enterprise to enhance HR credibility and impact.
• Maintain good working relationships with external service providers including, but limited to, HRIS platforms, assessment centres, training providers, and staffing agencies.
• Contribute to the preparation, oversight, and efficient use of HR annual and revised budgets, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and constraints.
• Keep abreast of developments in the HR field in both private and public sectors, bringing in innovation and modern practices where possible.
• Perform any other related duties as may be required.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

• A university degree at a nationally recognized/certified University with an emphasis on human resources, labour relations, organisational management or a related discipline.
• 8 years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management, preferably within an international organisation, public sector body, or complex multinational environment.
• At least 3 years of recent people management experience, including the supervision of multidisciplinary teams.
• Expert knowledge of the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations (NCPRs).
• Have demonstrated experience acting as a strategic partner to senior executive leadership, advising and influencing at the organisational level.
• Have demonstrated experience in the financial planning and management of HR department budgets.
• Possess strong leadership capability, with the ability to inspire, engage, and develop a diverse team.
• Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrate sound judgement, discretion, and fairness in managing complex and sensitive personnel matters.
• Possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; and I (“Beginner”) in the other. NOTE: Most of DIANA’s internal work is conducted in the English language.

DESIRABLE

• Experience in a start-up, scale-up, or innovation-led organisation, with emphasis on being the first to developing HR practices.
• Experience leading organisational change and workforce transformation.
• Experience in overseeing HR system and technology modernisation efforts.
• Higher level of French fluency.

COMPETENCIES

The incumbent must demonstrate:

• Organisational and environmental awareness.
• Ability to take initiative and responsibility.
• Ability to adapt and be flexible.
• Ability to inspire and influence others to take action.
• Ability to manage stakeholders.
• Ability to lead and develop others.
• Self-awareness and a learning mindset.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, in writing and verbally.

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 including expatriation and educational allowances (where applicable) and additional home leave.
• 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.
• Opportunities for learning and development.

CONTRACT

In accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations, the successful candidate will receive a definite duration contract of three years, which may be followed by an extension. 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 to the agreement of the national authority concerned. The maximum period of service in the post as a seconded staff member is six years.

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 the e-recruitment system. Applications and other documents will not be reviewed if sent through other formats (including email, social network, etc). Before you apply to any position, we encourage you to review how to apply. There are helpful videos to watch that describe the recruitment process and provide helpful tips to prepare your application. Due to the broad interest in NATO DIANA and the large number of potential candidates, telephone or email enquiries cannot be dealt with. After review of your online application, successful candidates will be invited to a pre-recorded video interview. Shortlisted candidates from that will then be invited to the final assessments, which include: a language proficiency test, a written test, and a panel interview. These final assessments are expected to be held approximately 8-10 weeks after the application closing date. 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. 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.

NOTE: DIANA will not accept any phase of the recruitment and selection prepared, in whole or in part, by means of generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots, such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (Chat GPT), or other language generating tools. DIANA 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 generative or creative AI applications may be rejected without further consideration at DIANA’s sole discretion, and DIANA reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.

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 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 along with documented medical evidence to support your request. All NATO DIANA personnel are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the current NATO Code of Conduct as agreed by the North Atlantic Council (NAC), and thus display the core values of integrity, impartiality, loyalty, accountability, and professionalism. The incumbent is required to be a resident in the host nation for the duration of their contract. DIANA has a flexible teleworking policy to permit working in office, at home, and across NATO Allied Nations subject to managerial approval.

For more information on DIANA, please visit our website.