Head Budget & Finance

Primary Location: Italy-La Spezia

NATO Body: Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE)

Schedule: Full-time

Application Deadline: 7 January 2026

Salary (Pay Basis): 8,191.47 EUR (Monthly)

Grade NATO SSS Grade G20 (ABCL A4)

Clearance Level NS

POST CONTEXT

This is a position within the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE), an organization of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

As per the STO Charter, CMRE operates under a Customer Funding Regime, whereby customers are charged the direct costs of the services provided plus an overhead to cover general and administrative expenditures, recuperation of capital investments (if applicable) and the Centre operating and running costs. Customers are comprised of NATO bodies, NATO Nations and other parties consistent with NATO policy.

The Budget & Finance Branch provides financial management in support of the CMRE and its Programme Of Work (POW). The Branch Head is responsible for all budgetary and financial management operations at CMRE. The Branch Head ensures adherence to the principles of sound financial management as laid down in the NATO Financial Regulations (NFRs). They hold responsibility for administering the budgetary and financial internal control systems of CMRE and for financial risk management in accordance with the applicable policies. The Branch Head provides CMRE with a solid POW cost accounting system to ensure full cost recovery through the customer funding regime and to guarantee the financial health of CMRE.

Acting as principal advisor on all financial and budgetary matters for the Centre, the incumbent reports directly to the Director CMRE, functionally to the STO Financial Controller.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

The Head of Budget and Finance is responsible for:

• All matters relating to budget and finance;
• Carrying out their financial duties within the limit of the financial authority delegated to them by the STO Financial Controller;
• Leading the annual budgeting and the long-term financial planning, creating financial models to forecast results;
• Coordinating all financial planning matters to include preparation of financial plan, customer and charge out rates;
• Financial control and accounting of all international funds allocated or contracted with the Centre, supervising all disbursing activities and countersigning all payment orders;
• Administering CMRE financial resources in accordance with established accounting standards, the NATO Financial Regulations (NFRs), the STO Financial Procedures and relevant implementing instructions, and such guidance as may be given by the relevant finance committee(s);
• Developing and issuing detailed rules and procedures in implementation of the NFRs and the STO Financial Procedures, ensuring effective, economical budgetary and financial administration;
• Overseeing the current use and future development of the Centre’s financial and accounting system (Oracle based);
• Conducting financial studies as required, providing all the CMRE's financial and managerial accounting reports and supporting the Director CMRE and STO Financial Controller in presenting them to the relevant finance committee(s);
• Managing the processing and recording of requests for authorization to commit funds as well as prior approval and management of commitments in accordance with NFRs and within the limits established by the STO Financial Controller;
• Organizing effective internal control of activities having financial implications for both appropriated and non-appropriated funds;
• Providing advice on the effective and efficient allocation of financial resources while ensuring that funds are expended in line with the approved purpose;
• Supervising preparation of annual financial statements to include statement of financial position, statement of performance, statement of changes in net assets, statement of cash flows, statement of budgetary execution and the accompanying footnotes;
• Chairing the CMRE Contract Award Committee within the authorities delegated by the STO Financial Controller and providing the fiduciary aspects of control and accounting associated to contracts awarded by the Centre;
• Acts as the main point of contact for all CMRE audits from the International Board of Auditors for NATO and other stakeholders;
• Directing the Budget and Finance Branch, supervising the provision of financial management and manages the daily activities of the Budget and Finance Branch and its’ staff.

The incumbent is legally accountable for banking arrangements with financial institutions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND ADDITIONAL DUTIES

Flexibility Clause

The incumbent may be required to perform other related duties even in other parts of the organization as directed (in particular, the incumbent can expect to work as a member of Working Groups, Project Teams, etc. for defined periods of time).

Annual TDY Requirement: the incumbent can expect to go on TDY both within and outside NATO's boundaries.

All other related duties should correspond with the required competencies for the job.

Deployment/Travel

The incumbent may be required to perform his/her duties onboard Centre or chartered vessels. The incumbent may be required to undertake TDY assignments within and outside NATO boundaries.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience

• At least 10 years related professional experience in economics, accounting, business administration, finance management or related discipline;
• University degree in economics, accounting, business administration, finance management or related discipline;
• Knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or equivalent standards, particularly when applied to an international customer funded organization;
• Working knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Microsoft Office Applications.

Language Requirements

A thorough knowledge of one of the two NATO languages, both written and spoken, is essential and some knowledge of the other is desirable.

English SLP 4444– STANAG 6001.

NOTE: Most of the work of CMRE is conducted in the English language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of NATO Financial Regulations;
• Working experience within an International Organization;
• Demonstrated abilities in financial analysis and reporting, particularly when applied to scientific projects;
• Hands-on experience with financial software such as Oracle Finance System and proficiency in the use of Microsoft Excel.
• Experience of cost accounting models.

COMPETENCIES

Personal attributes

The incumbent must be highly articulate and persuasive possessing tact and diplomacy. They must have a proven ability to work with no supervision and be a proactive self-starter. Must possess keen perception and apply sound judgment. Frequent requirement for original thought. The incumbent must be capable of working in a demanding environment, be clear, concise, and convincing in written and oral presentations, and flexible in response to changing requirements.

They must also possess:

• Demonstrated leadership and management capabilities.
• Personal qualities of tact, judgment and adaptability.
• Ability to tactfully and effectively interface with senior management personnel, peers, and subordinates.
• Good political awareness and motivational and listening skills.
• A sense of diplomacy and propriety in order to work harmoniously with colleagues and other staff, both civilian and military, as well as with staff from private scientific/industrial organizations.
• Sound communication skills as well as quick reaction to problems within role and expertise are expected.
• Active involvement in policy determination.

All CMRE personnel are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the current NATO Code of Conduct agreed by the North Atlantic Council (NAC), and thus display the core values of integrity, impartiality, loyalty, accountability, and professionalism.

Managerial Responsibilities

The incumbent is responsible for direction, planning, coordination and review of the work of others.

Professional Contacts

The incumbent may often be involved in significant discussions at senior committee level with representatives of NATO nations or other NATO bodies on behalf of the CMRE.

Contribution to the Objectives

The work involves the analysis and research of a complete task with recommendations affecting the plans and management of the organizational element.

All CMRE personnel are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the current NATO Code of Conduct agreed by the North Atlantic Council (NAC), and thus display the core values of integrity, impartiality, loyalty, accountability, and professionalism.

REMARKS

The duties are mostly performed in an office environment, but staff may be required to work onboard a vessel.

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HOW TO APPLY:

Applications are to be submitted using the NATO Talent Acquisition Program (NTAP)

Applications submitted by other means are not accepted. NTAP allows adding attachments. Essential information must be included in the application form. Particular attention should be given to Education and Experience section. Each question should be answered completely. Expressions such as “please see annex / enclosed document” or invitations to follow links to personal webpages are not acceptable and will be disregarded. All answers should be in English preferably, or French.

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