Human Resources Officer, Halifax

The post is budgeted from 1 January 2027, and the successful candidate is expected to start employment as soon as possible thereafter.

1.   OVERVIEW OF DIANA

NATO DIANA is the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic, a NATO body dedicated to finding and accelerating innovation to provide decisive defence and security effects for the Alliance, while fostering deep-tech innovation.

NATO DIANA is comprised of a Board of Directors, representing all 32 nations, and an operational team referred to as the DIANA Executive (“DX”). Operating from three offices in Europe and North America, the DX leverages a network of military end users, world-leading accelerator sites, test centres, professional mentors and experts, and Allied expertise to accelerate the most innovative technologies from across the NATO Alliance. DIANA is a dynamic, agile workplace, which strives for innovative thinking, diversity, and performance excellence across all teams. To achieve our mission, DIANA is committed to providing our people with an environment that is positive, inclusive and collaborative. 

2.   OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE

The Human Resources Officer conducts and administers a broad range of human resources activities across the employee lifecycle. The role provides professional HR advice and support to managers and staff, executes HR programmes and processes, and contributes to the development and continuous improvement of people policies, practices, and initiatives.

*Reserve candidates may be considered for similar posts in UK or Estonia, if appropriate.*

Reporting to the Head of Human Resources.

Duties of this role include:

Conducts and administers human resources activities across the employee lifecycle, including but not limited to workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, performance management, learning and development, employee relations, and offboarding.

Advises managers and employees on HR policies, procedures, employment conditions, and people-related matters.

Develops, reviews, and updates HR policies, procedures, guidance, and related documentation.

Executes HR programmes, projects, and initiatives that support organisational effectiveness and employee experience.

Supports change initiatives.

Ensures compliance with applicable regulations, policies, procedures, and internal control requirements.

Conducts HR-related analysis and prepares reports, recommendations, and briefing materials to support decision-making.

Perform any other related duties as may be required.

3.   ROLE REQUIREMENTS, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

The incumbent must have:

A minimum requirement of a Bachelor’s degree at a nationally recognised/certified University in a related discipline and 2 years work experience in a professional Human Resources role OR exceptionally, the lack of a university degree may be compensated by at least 6 years extensive and progressive expertise in duties related to the function of the post.

A minimum of 2 years of experience in developing and implementing HR policies, procedures or programs across multiple areas of the employee lifecycle.

Proven experience providing HR advice to managers and employees.

Demonstrated experience analyzing HR-related issues and developing practical solutions and recommendations.

Demonstrated sound judgement, discretion, tact, and diplomacy when handling sensitive matters.  

Possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; and I (“Beginner”) in the other.  

NOTE: Most of DIANA’s internal work is conducted in the English language. 

DESIRABLE 

The following would be considered an advantage:

Specialist experience in one or more of the following HR domains: workforce planning, recruitment, performance management, or learning & development.

Work experience in an international organization, public institution or highly regulated environment.

Knowledge of NATO institutional framework, policies and procedures.

COMPETENCIES 

The incumbent must demonstrate: 

Organizational and Environmental Awareness: Understands the wider mission and considers the impact of their actions on others.

Initiative & Responsibility: Takes ownership and accountability. 

Adaptability & Flexibility: Embraces change, adjusts priorities as needed, and continues to deliver results in evolving environments.  

Customer Service Orientation: Provides timely, professional, and solution-focused support to all stakeholders.

Planning & Prioritizing: Allocates time and resources effectively, balances competing priorities, and delivers work to agreed timelines. 

Teamwork: Collaborates openly and supports colleagues to achieve shared goals.

Self-awareness and a Learning Mindset: Seeks opportunities to learn, reflects on experience, and applies learning to improve outcomes.

4.   WHAT WE OFFER 

Genuinely meaningful work as part of the newest unit within the most successful alliance in history. 

Tax-free salary.

Household and children’s allowances and privileges for expatriate staff including expatriation and educational allowances (where applicable) and additional home leave.

Excellent private health insurance scheme. 

NATO pension scheme. 

Generous annual leave of 30 days plus official holidays. 

Flexible working conditions and a smoke-free office in Halifax. 

Opportunities for learning and development. 

5.   CONTRACT 

In accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations, the successful candidate will receive a definite duration contract of three years, which may be followed by an extension. 

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 to the agreement of the national authority concerned. The maximum period of service in the post as a seconded staff member is six years. 

6.   USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS 

Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries.  

Applications must be submitted using the e-recruitment system, and any documents sent through other formats will not be reviewed (including email, social network, etc). 

Before you apply to any position, we encourage you to click here and review how to apply. 

Due to the broad interest in NATO DIANA and the large number of potential candidates, telephone or email enquiries cannot be dealt with.  

After review of your online application, successful candidates will be invited to a pre-recorded video interview. Shortlisted candidates from that will then be invited to the final assessments, which include: a language proficiency test, a job-related written test, and a panel interview.

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. 

NOTE: DIANA 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, Copilot, Claude, etc.), or other language generating tools. DIANA 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 will be rejected without further consideration at DIANA’s sole discretion, and DIANA reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate. 

7.   ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

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 is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible working environment, where all candidates living with disabilities can fully participate in the recruitment and selection process. If you require reasonable accommodation, please inform us during your selection process along with documented medical evidence to support your request. 

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

The incumbent is required to be a resident in the host nation for the duration of their contract. DIANA has a flexible teleworking policy to permit working in office, at home, and across NATO Allied Nations subject to managerial approval.  

For more information on DIANA, please visit our website .