Click here to apply\: NATO - NATO Vacancies We are NATO’s own Airborne Early Warning and Control Force. We are Many Nations, One Force-United to detect, direct and dominate the airspace and defend the Alliance. An exciting opportunity has become available on the Force’s capability transition programme for a motivated and skilled Risk and Compliance Specialist whose role will be instrumental in supporting the successful delivery of a complex, multinational military aviation programme by leading risk management strategies and driving compliance excellence across all domains of implementation. NATO’s current Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) fleet, a key surveillance and control asset, is scheduled to retire around 2035. The initial Alliance Future Surveillance & Control (iAFSC) capability initiative will deliver an initial element to mitigate the risk of an airborne surveillance and control capability gap. The chosen iAFSC acquisition strategy plans to deliver the requirements defined by the NATO strategic commands and to meet operational needs of NATO and nations. The approach recognizes the benefits of economies of scale, commonality and interoperability deriving from multinational acquisition of military off-the-shelf platforms. It also ensures a smooth transition from the existing capability across other lines of development and into the future of an EMAR (European Military Airworthiness Requirements) compliant environment. This vacancy notice is for a NATO-2030 agenda project-linked NATO International Civilian (PLN) post and is limited to a three-year definite duration project. The position is to be filled as soon as possible. In view of the urgency of this project, qualified candidates who hold or have recently held a valid NATO or National security clearance with previous professional experience related to NATO will be given priority consideration. To learn more about the NAEW&C Force, click here\: NATO AWACS | Home ABOUT YOU We are seeking a methodical and results-driven Risk and Compliance Specialist to join our team at the NATO Early Warning and Control Force in Geilenkirchen, Germany. Beyond risk and compliance, this role requires a strong sense of programme governance, ensuring that risk, compliance, and governance structures are integrated, transparent, and support effective decision-making across the iAFSC Programme. RESPONSIBILITIES · Develop and run risk management strategies tailored to the iAFSC Programme, ensuring alignment with internal goals, regulatory requirements, and governance principles. · Develop and oversee compliance procedures to ensure conformance with military, EMAR, cybersecurity, NATO and national regulatory standards, as well as internal policies. · Identify, assess, monitor, and mitigate risks across all programme functions, including training, operations, technical development, digital integration, infrastructure, logistics, and governance. · Design, implement, and maintain comprehensive risk registers, mitigation plans, control mechanisms, and governance frameworks in accordance with recognized standards while ensuring alignment with programme milestones and established timeframes. · Monitor key risk indicators, compliance metrics, and governance performance, providing timely reports and insights to leadership for informed decision-making. · Serve as the primary liaison for risk, compliance, and governance matters with internal teams, programme leadership, external stakeholders, and oversight bodies. · Collaborate with functional leads to embed risk, compliance, and governance considerations into planning, implementation, reporting, and continuous improvement efforts across the programme lifecycle. · Coordinate and support internal and external audits, including preparation, documentation, stakeholder engagement, and tracking of corrective actions. · Deliver risk, compliance, and governance briefings, training sessions, and awareness campaigns to promote a culture of accountability and informed ownership across the organization. · Document and maintain all risk-related records, including compliance audits, governance reviews, lessons learned, and improvement recommendations. · Identify process inefficiencies, evaluate regulatory and governance changes, and provide expert guidance on opportunities for enhancement in programme oversight and compliance. ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS · University degree (or equivalent) in Risk Management, Business Administration, Compliance, Governance, Engineering, or a related field. · Proven professional experience in developing, implementing, and overseeing risk management, compliance, and governance practices within complex, multinational, or military programmes. · In-depth knowledge of recognized risk management frameworks (e.g., ISO 31000), governance methodologies, tools, and compliance standards relevant to defence or aviation. · Strong understanding of compliance requirements and governance obligations applicable to aviation, defence, or the public sector. · Practical experience in implementing and overseeing internal control systems, programme governance structures, and organization-wide compliance procedures. · Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS · Experience in international, military, or aviation environments, particularly in operations, logistics, IT, programme governance, or supporting complex transformation programmes within high-reliability organizations. · Familiarity with EMAR, NATO regulatory structures, and quality assurance frameworks. · Certification in Six Sigma, ISO Lead Auditor, or related disciplines in risk, governance, quality, or process improvement. · Working knowledge of NATO operational environments or experience collaborating within multinational defence structures. SKILLS · Demonstrated analytical thinking and sound judgment, with the ability to assess complex risks and governance challenges, identifying effective mitigation strategies. · Proactive and solutions-oriented mindset, with a focus on continuous improvement, governance effectiveness, and operational efficiency. · Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a multinational and multicultural environment. · Proven ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including the capacity to brief, influence, and advise senior stakeholders and governance boards. · High standards of professional integrity, discretion, and accountability in the handling of sensitive, regulated, or governance-related matters. · Commitment to continuous learning and improvement, actively maintaining up-to-date knowledge of risk, compliance, and governance practices. · Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Word); working knowledge of risk, compliance, and governance tools is desirable. · Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; basic German language skills would be considered an asset. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION Please attach any documentation that you consider to be particularly relevant to the qualification requirements specified in this advertisement. Any documentation submitted in a language other than English must be accompanied by at least an unofficial translation. CONTRACT The successful candidate will fill this post as a Project Related NATO International Civilian (PLN) with a three-year definite duration contract (if not seconded). For serving NATO international Civilians\: contract will be offered in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations and the additional Nations’ guidance (MCM-0061-2023 for NATO 2030 Project Linked NICs). The selected staff member will get a definite duration contract regardless of the current contract, with the exception of the case when they have more than 10 years of service, in which case they will receive an indefinite duration contract. SALARY Salary values indicated in this vacancy notice are based on the new Single Salary Spine scale. WHAT DO WE OFFER? · Excellent tax-free salary, including (where eligible) expatriation, family and children's allowances and additional privileges for expatriate staff; · Education allowance for children (where appropriate) and an excellent private health insurance scheme; · Generous annual leave and home leave (if eligible); · Retirement Pension Plan. TEST/INTERVIEW Our recruitment office will provide further guidance for invited candidates. Click here to apply\: NATO - NATO Vacancies