General Counsel

NATO Headquarters Brussels – Belgium

Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic

VACANY NOTICE / AVIS DE VACANCE DE POSTE

General Counsel (230218)

Primary Location: London NATO Body: Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) Schedule: Full–time Application Deadline: 26–Mar–2023 Salary (Pay Basis): 9,226.20Pound Sterling (GBP) Monthly Grade NATO Grade G22 Clearance Level NS

1. SUMMARY

The Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) is NATO's newest

body, comprised of an Allied Board of Directors and a management team – the

DIANA Executive (DX). From across the Alliance, DIANA will bring together

innovators and operational end users to foster a transatlantic ecosystem supporting

dual–use ground–breaking innovation in deep technologies.

Allied Heads of State and Government took the decision to create DIANA at the

NATO Summit 2021 to help the Alliance maintain its technological edge. DIANA is

now in the process of standing up, with the aim to reach initial operational capability

in 2023 and full operational capability in 2025. Once established, DIANA will

leverage a network of dozens of Allied Test Centres and Accelerator Sites to fulfil its

mission.

DIANA is an independent NATO body comprised of an Allied Board of Directors and

a management team – the DIANA Executive (DX). Operating out of regional offices in

Europe and in North America, the DX will carry out DIANA's mission: accelerating

deep tech, dual–use solutions to critical transatlantic challenges in defence and

security. The DX will use Challenge Programs in line with a strategic direction as the

primary vehicle to accomplish this mission.

The Legal Office of the DX, to be established and led by the General Counsel, is

responsible for the provision of advice and other legal services to the Managing

Director of DIANA, the DX, the Board of Directors, and, as appropriate, other NATO

bodies or Allied Nations.

The Legal Office will advise its clients on all legal matters – domestic and

international – impacting the responsibilities, functions, and other activities of DIANA.

The work covers a broad spectrum including matters of international law and the

privileges and immunities of DIANA, legal agreements with partner organizations,

potential litigation, and fast–paced commercial contracting with participating

innovators and sponsors of development and procurement programs.

The General Counsel will direct the Legal Office and the DX's legal personnel,

exercising initiative and creativity in her/his approach as a manager. She/he will act

NATO Headquarters Brussels – Belgium

Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic

as an advisor and counsellor for the Managing Director as part of their leadership

team.

The incumbent must ensure that the Legal Office is providing timely and effective

advice and legal services to support DIANA's flexible and agile approach to meeting

the needs of the Allied innovation ecosystem and future operational challenges. At

all times, s/he must ensure that the mandate and principles of the DIANA Charter are

upheld and reflected in DIANA's operational activities.

The General Counsel must be able to work independently to a wide and demanding

portfolio. S/he will also ensure appropriate coordination and collaboration with other

legal offices of NATO bodies.

Key challenges facing the successful candidate for this post during the next 2–3

years will include:

1. Standing up the Legal Office;

2. Support the Managing Director in the standing up of DIANA and its operational

framework to reach Full Operating Capability in 2025, including:

o Lead in the development of policies and procedures including, among others:

intellectual property rights (IPR), technology transfer, export controls, procurement

and financial regulations for DIANA's joint funded innovation activities;

o Negotiate and conclude legal agreements with DIANA affiliated accelerator sites

and test centers, enabling the smooth implementation of DIANA Challenge

Programmes. Support the DX staff in developing an agile model contract for

participating innovators;

3. Provide advice and legal services to accommodate the innovation, technical and

commercial elements necessary to make DIANA's challenge programs a success.

As part of the application process, candidates are expected to submit a Word or PDF

document no longer than two pages summarising their views on the key (and

possible other) challenges and how they would address them if selected for the

position.

2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

The incumbent must:

• possess a university degree in law from a recognised establishment and

professional legal qualifications and licenses as appropriate;

• have at least 8 years' legal experience;

• have at least 5 years of management experience, including extensive people

management and the capacity to lead, motivate and engage diverse and

multidisciplinary teams;

• have extensive experience working on international and commercial legal

matters, including within a technology/innovation ecosystem;

NATO Headquarters Brussels – Belgium

Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic

• possess excellent analytical skills and demonstrate the ability to produce high

quality legal advice on matters relating to technology/innovation;

• have a track record in: providing advice on governance, administrative, and

international law matters; dealing with multi–jurisdictional issues; negotiating and

drafting legal instruments; litigating before courts or tribunals; and helping run a legal

team.

• demonstrate resilience in managing a significant workload and the capacity to

remain calm under pressure;

• demonstrate excellent communication skills both orally and in writing and the

capacity to present complex issues in a concise and clear manner;

• possess the following minimum levels of NATO's official languages

(English/French): V ("Advanced") in one; and I (Beginner) in the other.

DESIRABLE

The following would be considered an advantage:

• experience working with an International Organisation, national authority or

similar context;

• knowledge of the laws of one or more of the Host Nations (the United Kingdom,

Canada, and Estonia);

• experience directly or indirectly overseeing a litigation workload and adopting a

litigation strategy;

• experience advising start–ups, accelerators, and/or systems integrators;

• familiarity with the strategic issues and security challenges facing the Alliance

and the Allied innovation ecosystem;

• a higher level of the second official language;

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Vision and Direction

Develop, communicate and implement a vision for the future development of the

Legal Office in conjunction with the Managing Director's vision and direction for the

DX and DIANA. Ensure common objectives for the short, mid–, and long–term are set

for the Legal Office team, ensuring that the vision guides its programme of work. Act

as a role model of inclusive leadership and promote flexibility, innovation, and

entrepreneurial and commercial thinking.

Expertise Development

Apply knowledge and experience to identify the legal implications/interpretation of

applicable rules and regulations as required. Follow major activities in the field of

international law and relevant national and commercial laws and regulations that

NATO Headquarters Brussels – Belgium

Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic

have a direct impact on assigned tasks, especially in the field of activities related to

those of the DX

Knowledge Management

Analyse the legal questions affecting the DIANA operation and mandate, including

applicable national and international law. Represent the LODX and DX, as required,

in the preparation and discussion of agreements, Memorandums of Understanding

(MOUs) or other legal documents to be concluded by DIANA. Supervise drafting of

legal texts, internal memorandums and other legal documents relevant to DX.

Stakeholder Management

Provide advice to the Managing Director, the BoD, and as appropriate, other senior

personnel on relevant legal issues. Assist, as required, in preparation for, or conduct,

the defence of the Organization before any internal or external Board/Tribunal.

Maintain and develop contacts NATO–wide, including with NATO member States, as

well as with external legal offices.

Representation of the Organization

Represent the Legal Office or, if appropriate, DIANA in meetings of relevant

Committees, Task Forces, Boards, Panels and Working Groups, as we ll as at

external seminars, conferences or gatherings. Represent DIANA as required in legal

cases or any other legal issues within the Organization, as well as vis–à–vis member
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