What drew you to a career in NATO?
While I was in the French Navy, I was assigned to a three-year duty at Supreme Headquarters Allied Power Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium. At the time, I was working with one of the NCI Agency's predecessors, the NATO Communications and Information Systems Services Agency (NCSA), as an Administrative Assistant to the Financial Controller. That was my first NATO assignment, and it introduced me to an environment that was completely different from what I was used to. In 2015, an opportunity arose in the Agency with the Finance Planning and Analysis Team and, fortunately, I got the role. I had a strong finance background and a great deal of knowledge and experience on NATO financial policies, processes and tools so this was a great stepping stone in my transition journey from the French Navy to NATO Civilian.
Why is the Executive Office so important?
The Executive Office is part of a larger Executive Management team that provides support to leadership and ensures seamlesss daily operations are carried out in alignment with Executive intent. This includes proactive planning, management and prioritization of critical Agency-wide investments, and coordination of internal and external engagements with stakeholders, senior committees and boards. We help empower people throughout the Agency to carry out the goals of the General Manager and Chief of Staff. Through Agency-wide collaboration, we ensure that the work that needs doing is done.
How do you navigate complex and unexpected events that arise in your work?
I remind myself that uncertainty and unexpected events are a natural part of life. I try to ensure that I am always in a position to handle such events by prioritizing so that I can properly manage my time. For example, I sort complex or unexpected events according to their urgency and importance. This way I can see clearly what needs my immediate attention and what can wait.
It is also beneficial for me to delegate tasks and empower people to take responsibility. I trust the people I work with to do the job well without imposing too much control. This is important because when I work on my daily functions, I do not do it in isolation, but as part of a team. NATO is about being stronger together, and that is something I have witnessed within my team and throughout the Agency.
Do you have any advice for your younger self or a younger person looking into working at NATO?
To my younger self, I say: just go for it! You have the opportunity to work alongside some great colleagues and there is a higher goal to working for NATO, which is protecting one billion citizens in an unpredictable world such as ours. Young people might look at NATO and think "I stand no chance and there must be so much competition". Yes, there are a lot of people who want to contribute to NATO's objectives but at the end of the day, you just have to go for it. You will be surprised by how your skills can be mobilized within such an organization!