Close Protection Officer , Belgium

Employer: NATO Office Of Security
Location: Belgium-Brussels
Salary (Pay Basis) : 3,080.47Euro (EUR) Monthly
Close Protection Agent, Close Protection Unit-150070
Grade C. 3
Security Clearance: CTS
VACANCY N°: 150070 (+ reserve list)

Please note that the selective tests are scheduled for 5 and 6 May 2015 (physical, shooting and practical tests).
1. Summary:
The NATO Office of Security (NOS) is responsible for the overall coordination of NATO security among member and partner Nations and NATO civil and military bodies. The mission of the Close Protection Unit (CPU) is to protect the Secretary General at NATO Headquarters or any other location, armed or otherwise, as circumstances dictate. Members of the team are expected to stand ready at all times to ensure a secure environment for the Secretary General. This includes ensuring the Secretary General’s physical protection against all forms of actual or potential threats and taking the appropriate steps to provide protection in a crisis or when working under pressure.

The incumbent will work as part of a team working on a shift system carrying out Close Protection (CP) duties for the Secretary General of NATO, in both Belgium and abroad but also at the Secretary General’s Residence or as a driver. He/she will be answerable, through a Team Leader and a Deputy Head, to the Head, CPU. The physical requirements and minimum shooting standards that the incumbent must meet will depend on the nature of his assignment within the Unit.


2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL , The incumbent must:

possess a good general education at the higher secondary level;
possess a minimum of 5 years proven experience in a NATO member Nation civilian security, police, military or intelligence service’s CP Team or other relevant experience;
be an active member of a CP Team or have other relevant employment experience;
possess a B & C category driving and a certificate demonstrating he/she is medically capable of driving others;
possess experience in tactical driving with (civilian) armored vehicles and have attended relevant CP training in that domain (including escape procedures and ramming);
be prepared to travel, work unsocial hours and be assigned “on call” duties requiring the incumbent to be able ready for duty on short notice within a strict time limit imposed by the CPU Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs);
possess and be able to maintain recognised skills in carrying and using firearms (he/she must be able to pass the annual CPU shooting test relevant for the nature of his assignment in CPU and as described in the CPU SOPs);
possess and be able to maintain the required physical, psychological and tactical condition to enable him/her to intervene in emergency situations (he/she must be able to pass the annual CPU physical test relevant for the nature of his assignment in CPU and as described in the CPU SOPs);
possess a good level of self-defense training;
possess a good level of medical training enabling him/her to use the CPU medical equipment and apply the medical procedures described in the CPU SOPs;
be familiar with the operation of security equipment of the type used in the physical protection of the Residence: Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), Intruder Detection System (IDS) and fire detection system;
be familiar with the use of secure communication means;
be familiar with the use of GPS systems and have experience in navigation and the use of grid systems;
have a thorough understanding of the CPU SOPs and operational standards;
have a basic knowledge of protocol procedures and awareness of related sensitivities;
possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills when representing the Secretary General;
possess good writing skills in one of the NATO languages and be able to draft clear and concise reports and emails as well as PowerPoint presentations;
possess the ability to adapt to changing situations and a proven ability to manage stress and emergency situations;
possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other.

Desirable :
The following would be considered an advantage:
computer literacy and familiarity with MS Windows applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Access, Outlook, etc.);
certification in first-aid/medical training like BLS-AED, TCCC, PHTLS, etc.;
knowledge and certification in the domain of firearm skills;
knowledge and certification of advanced driving skills;
advanced CP tactical skills;
knowledge of basic fire-fighting measures;
knowledge of the Dutch language;
knowledge of the language of another NATO member state;
knowledge of the Belgian police and judicial organisation and legislation in particular in the areas of public security, public order, fire-arms, legal self defence and priority vehicles;
familiarity with the use of open sources to gather information (OSINT) in support of close protection missions.


3. Main Accountables
Planning and Execution
Ensure the Secretary General’s physical protection at any given place and at all times against all forms of actual or potential attacks/threats and take the appropriate steps to provide protection in a crisis or when working under pressure. This protection can include the use of force and/or weapons as dictated by the CPU SOPs. Assume the function of driver and take all the necessary steps to ensure that the Secretary General is protected against all forms of actual or potential attacks/threats during road moves in and outside Belgium. When required also provide vehicular transportation to any other principal designated by CPU management. Operate from the CPU OPS rooms at the Residence of the Secretary General and be in charge of the CCTV, IDS, fire alarm systems and secure communications (STEE and STU). Ensure that all equipment listed on the inventory of the Residence is present and fully operational. Assume the function of security liaison officer for the Deputy Secretary General or any other NATO Staff member(s) when the assessment of the security situation of the visited location or country requires it and CPU management or the Director NOS has taken the decision to assign this mission to CPU. When tasked by CPU management, ensure the Deputy Secretary General’s physical protection against all forms of actual or potential attacks/threats and taking the appropriate steps to provide protection in a crisis or when working under pressure. This protection can include the use of force and/or weapons. In close coordination with the CPU Team Leaders, the Deputy Head CPU and the Office of the Secretary General (Private Office and CONSEC) perform reconnaissance and advance missions in Belgium and abroad including in high risk areas. Gather through open sources any information that could be usefull to the accomplishment of the mission or to enable CPU management to evaluate the security situation on the ground prior to the execution of the mission. Consult the CPU database of past missions to the same location in order to be well prepared and take note of the lessons learned.

Stakeholder Management
Deal tactfully, politely and discreetly with members of the Secretary General’s entourage and be above reproach as regards professional standards, appearance and dress. Have the utmost discretion when dealing with information pertaining to the Secretary General’s personal and official life. Interact closely with the Office of the Secretary General (Private Office and CONSEC) as well as with the protocol and security officers involved in the reconnaissance, advance or close protection missions that have been assigned to him/her. Identify any additional stakeholders that could be of importance for the ongoing or future missions. Be aware of the high rank (Ambassadors, high ranking officers and government officials, etc.) of the protocol and security representatives that he/she will meet during his/her mission and interact with them in an appropriate way in order to represent the Organization in a professional manner.



Expertise Development
Follow training courses organised by the management, CPU, including physical and tactical training, weapon handling, driver training, medical training, GPS navigation training, etc. Attend any other training courses that CPU management has identified as being essential to accomplish the missions that have been assigned to the Unit. When assigned by the Team Leader, assume the role of Subjet Matter Expert (SME) in one of the essential training domains of CPU (Shooting, Tactics-Research & Development, Medic, Self Defense and Admin-Technical, Driving). Make sure to stay updated on the developments within his/her domain of expertise and will build up the knowledge through external courses. In close collaboration with the CPU Training Coordinator and his/her Team Leader, develop and prepare training tools in order to train the other members of the team to the level required by CPU Management. This includes assisting the CPU Training Coordinator in gathering the necessary information to prepare the training, develop if needed a PowerPoint presentation and deliver the training to his/her fellow team members. Communicate to his/her Team Leader any gaps or inaccuracies that he/she has identified in the existing CPU SOPs and will formulate orally or in writing any improvements that he/she would suggest in order to enhance the efficiency of the Unit. When tasked by the Team Leader, assist in developing SOPs for different Points of Interest (POI) that are frequently visited in the context of the CPU missions.

Information Management
Make sure to have an up to date knowledge of the existing CPU SOPs that are relevant for his function in the Unit. When performing reconnaissance or advance missions in Belgium or abroad, make sure to gather all the necessary information in order to ensure the success of the mission. That information has to be transformed into a clear and concise report including pictures and maps in order to provide the appropriate information to all involved stakeholders (including the Private Office and CONSEC) before the execution of the mission. During the reconnaissance or advance mission, get in contact with non-security related questions or information and will make sure that this information flows to the right stakeholders by forwarding the information or the correct point of contact. Carry out all administrative tasks assigned within the CPU and more specifically make sure to provide in a timely manner his/her timesheets, establish the required mission liquidation forms upon accomplishment of a mission, make sure to fill out the CPU Petty Cash reimbursement form in a correct way and provide all necessary receipts, report immediately any issues with the CPU equipment (including CPU car fleet) if needed by providing a detailed report and any other tasks assigned by CPU management. Upon accomplishment of the mission in Belgium or abroad provide all the relevant information to the CPU Training Coordinator so that it can be centrally stored and made available for future missions. Make sure in close collaboration with the CPU Training Coordinator that all the information gathered in his/her field of expertise as an SME is centrally stored and made available to all CPU members.

Perform any other related duty as assigned.


4. Interrelationships
The incumbent reports to the Head, Close Protection Unit, through the Team Leader. He/she also coordinates arrangements with the relevant staff in the Private Office when required. He/she will have considerable contact with the Secretary General and his entourage as well as their staff, official visitors and guests.





5. Competencies
The incumbent must demonstrate:
• Achievement
• Analytical Thinking
• Customer Service Orientation
• Flexibility
• Initiative
• Organisational Commitment
• Self-Control
• Teamwork



6. Contract 
Contract to be offered to the successful applicant (if non-seconded):
Definite duration contract of three years; possibility of renewal for up to three years.

Contract clause applicable:
It has been decided that for technical reasons, turnover is required in this post, and therefore, the maximum period of service in this post is six years. Accordingly, the successful applicant will be offered a 3-year definite duration contract, which may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years.
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 also to the agreement of the national authority concerned.
Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations.



7. How To Apply :
Applications must be submitted using one of the following links, as applicable:
For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal (for more information, please contact your local Civilian HR Manager);

For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment


Additional Information: 
Due to the broad interest in NATO and the large number of potential candidates, telephone or e-mail enquiries cannot be dealt with.
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.
Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries.



NATO is an equal opportunities employer, and does not discriminate on the grounds of gender, race or ethnic origin, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age (restrictions to age may apply for first appointment only, according to the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations. This is a prerogative as approved by the NATO Council).

Please note that the International Staff at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium is a non-smoking environment. 





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