Staff Officer (Internal Audit), Norfolk

Post Context

ACT contributes to preserving the peace, security and territorial integrity of Alliance member states by leading, at Strategic Command level, Warfare Development required to enhance NATO’s posture, military structures, forces, capabilities and doctrines.

The Command Group provides general support, coordination, management, administrative service and specialist advice to SACT, DSACT and COS.

Chief of Staff (COS) is responsible to SACT and DSACT for the staff activity necessary to execute ACT’s mission. It is the focal point for the implementation of the Commander’s direction and guidance as well as the initiation and co-ordination of all ACT staff efforts.

The Staff Advisory Group (SAG) is comprised of different competencies grouped into several offices (Political Advisor, Legal Advisor, Gender Advisor, Financial Controller, Command Auditor, Communication Branch and Pentagon Liaison). It works under the direction and guidance of COS and provides general staff support, coordination, management, administrative service, and specialists’ advice to SACT.

The Internal Audit Office is responsible for directing the activities of all financial, risk, operational and performance audits throughout the Command.

ACT Office of Internal Audit is responsible for directing the activities of all financial, risk, operational and performance audits throughout the Command. The Internal Audit Project Officer will be placed full time on the ACT Office of Internal Audit (SAG) and is responsible to ACT Head of Internal Audit. She/he will only conduct activities as described in the ACT Audit Charter and Risk Based Audit Plan to ensure adherence to the NATO financial regulations, the standards of the Institute of Internal Auditors and the ACT Audit Charter and Manual. ACT head of Internal Audit (as the extension of COS and OCOS) will be responsible for all aspects of the planning and conduct of the audit or other related work conducted by the Internal Audit PLNs.

Principal Duties:

Conduct audits approved in ACT’s annual Risk Based Audit Plan covering all aspects of the ACT audit universe increasing due to NATO 2023. Update the ACT audit universe (significant analysis) to reflect the new 2030 ACT structure and how it impacts strategic audit planning. Analyze processes and update audit manuals to adapt to agile auditing of areas rapidly increased by NATO 2030 funding. Develop and conduct audit risk assessment of ACT activities to continue risk based auditing, and identify risk areas from NATO 2030 growth. Conduct the updated 2030 Audit risk assessment. Update methodology to reflect the right risk assessments and audit universe. Conduct audits to ensure compliance with established policies, standards and applicable directives, and to evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency and economy of operations and systems in accordance with NATO 2030 objectives and programmes. The officer will be required to review the implementation, and effectiveness, of the Command’s Portfolio, Programme and Project management system. Review the execution, implementation, status and effectiveness of ACT’s risk management process; report on the status and effectiveness of risk registers and advise on all governance issues arising from these reviews. To undertake ad-hoc analyses and studies if relevant as tasked by the ACT Head of Internal Audit.

Essential Qualifications / Experience:

University Degree  in accounting, finance, management, business administration, public administration or related discipline  and 2 years function related experience, or Higher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training  in that discipline leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 4 years post related experience. Experience in Internal Auditing All activities involved in the operational review of governance, risk management and internal control within systems and procedures of an organizational entity to determine the effectiveness of responses to risk and compliance with applicable policies. Experience in the field of financial systems, risk and operational audit, or computer systems. Experience with operation of automated accounting systems and office automation software packages, particularly spreadsheet applications. Hold a recognized professional internal audit (e.g. CGAP, CCSA, CIA, CRMA, CFE) or accounting qualification (e.g. CPA, CA, CMA, GCMA, ACCA etc.). Ability to express himself/herself clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing at all levels to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Language:

English - SLP 3333 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

Desirable Qualifications / Experience:

Experience in auditing or project/programme management in NATO or a national, international/multi-national organization. Experience in use of computer assisted audit, project management or life cycle management systems. A Masters level university degree in accounting, economics, management, business administration, or related field. Language French SLP 3333 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).

Attributes/Competencies:

Personal Attributes:

All activities involved in the operational review of governance, risk management and internal control within command systems and procedures of an organizational entity to determine the effectiveness of responses to risk and compliance with applicable policies.

Managerial Responsibilities:

Knowledge of contemporary management methods is also highly desirable. Has significant influence over the allocation and management of resources appropriate to given assignments. Performs an extensive range and variety of complex technical and/or professional work activities. Analyses, designs, plans, executes and evaluates work to time, cost and quality targets

Professional Contacts:

Advises on the available standards, methods, tools and applications relevant to own specialism and can make appropriate choices from alternatives. Communicates effectively, both formally and informally. Takes all requirements into account when making proposals.

Contribution To Objectives:

Influences organization, customers, suppliers, partners and peers on the contribution of own specialism. Builds appropriate and effective business relationships. Makes decisions which impact the success of assigned work, i.e. results, deadlines and budget.

Security Clearance

The successful applicant will be required to apply for and receive a NATO SECRET Security Clearance prior to final confirmation of contract and commencement of employment.

Contract

This position is linked to a specific NATO project and is for a limited duration of 3 (three) years only.

Serving NATO International Civilian staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations.  Newly recruited staff will be offered a three year definite duration contract.

Notes for Candidates

The HQ SACT web site gives full details on the eligibility criteria and application processes to be adopted by all candidates.  However, candidates should particularly note:

Please answer each of the pre-screening questions completely in English. Expressions such as: “please see attached CV, please see annex, please see enclosed document, etc” are not acceptable; this is a cause of immediate rejection of the application.

Particular attention should be given to Education and Experience section of your application form, which should be populated with details of your career to date and educational achievements and certifications as they relate to your application.

The candidature of NATO redundant staff at grade G15 will be considered with priority.

NATO 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. NATO 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 NATO’s sole discretion, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.

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 welcomes applications of nationals from all member Nations, and strongly encourages women to apply.

This vacancy will close on 27 July 2026 @ 17:59hrs (EDT)/11:59hrs (CEST).