Head, Divisional Support Section and Executive Officer (DPP)

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organization; Brussel Hoofdstad; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

NATO is seeking the Head of the Divisional Support Section (DSS) and Executive Officer to lead planning and coordination for the Defence Policy and Planning Division within the NATO International Staff. The role requires strategic oversight, stakeholder liaison, and strong leadership of a multi‑discipline team.

The incumbent will drive policy development, knowledge management, and effective execution of committee work, reporting to senior NATO leadership and coordinating with IMS/IS bodies and

Qualifications

• University degree or equivalent qualification from a defence/military institution.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in progressively responsible positions with a focus on broad defence planning.
• Experience in co‑coordinating and managing teams and multitasking with many issues.
• Strong written and oral communication skills for senior audience.
• NATO official languages: VI in one, III in the other.

Responsibilities

• Lead the DSS and coordinate taskings across the Division, IS/IMS, and other offices.
• Serve as key interlocutor with stakeholders and ensure coherent agendas.
• Lead the DSS section and provide mentoring and performance feedback.
• Contribute to policy development and strategic planning within DPP.
• Ensure knowledge flow and implement knowledge management practices.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

University degree in defence/military

5+ years relevant experience

Co‑ordination & team management

Strong written & oral communication

NATO languages proficiency (EN/FR)

Education

University degree in defence/military field

Tools

Resource management systems

Job description

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

Job Description - Head, Divisional Support Section and Executive Officer (DPP) (261734)

Head, Divisional Support Section and Executive Officer (DPP) - 261734

NATO Body

NATO International Staff (NATO IS)

Schedule

Full-time

Application Deadline

22-Nov-2026, 10:59:00 PM

Salary (Pay Basis)

Grade NATO Grade G20

Description

1. SUMMARY

The Defence Policy and Planning (DPP) Division leads work in the NATO International Staff (IS) on the defence‑related aspects of the Alliance’s fundamental security tasks at the political‑military level. The Divisional Support Section (DSS) coordinates the work and programmes of the Division and the committees it supports, and provides procedural advice.
The incumbent provides coordinated advice to the Assistant Secretary General (ASG) and the Deputy Assistant Secretary General (DASG) on a wide range of defence policy and planning issues and activities, and ensures the effective planning, management and smooth running of the office. The incumbent is DPP’s primary interlocutor on the organisation of work with other Divisions/Independent Offices, Delegations and similar officials. In addition, the incumbent is the Head of the DSS, responsible for the organisational, administrative and procedural support to the Committees of Strategic Planning meetings such as DPP Committee (DPPC) and Resilience Committee (RC).

2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The incumbent must:

• possess a university degree or an equivalent qualification from a defence/military institution in a relevant field for the post;
• have at least 5 years of relevant experience in progressively responsible positions with a focus on broad defence planning;
• have experience in co‑coordinating and managing teams and possess relevant experience in prioritising, multitasking and in dealing with a large number of issues and tasks;
• have strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to draft and edit documents for a senior audience; and
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): VI (“Proficiency”) in one; III (“Intermediate”) in the other;

The following would be considered an advantage:

• be familiar with resource management systems and software;
• be conversant with the Alliance’s structure, practices and procedures;
• experience of working in a major international organisation or international environment;

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Planning and Execution: Lead the DSS and coordination of taskings across Division, within DPP and with other IS and International Military Staff (IMS) Divisions/Independent Offices. Assist and advice on the shaping and staffing of various defence policies and other related matters, and integrate them into future strategic plans for the Division. Run practical, administrative and logistical aspects of committee work and activities, and track the implementation of committee decisions and policy directives.

Stakeholder Management: Serve as DPP’s central point of contact for all issues concerning coherence, management, workflow and coordination issues for the Division. Ensure close coordination and common approaches with Directors, Section Heads, Allied and Partner Committees, and other Executive Officers, and members of the IS, IMS and other NATO bodies, to meet the Committees’ and divisional agendas. Act as a key interlocutor with the OSG to ensure good communication on relevant matters. Represent ASG/DPP at meetings, conferences, seminars and with external stakeholders, as required.

People Management: Lead the DSS Section. Create a motivating and effective workplace. Provide in‑depth mentoring, coaching and training opportunities and be available to offer guidance at critical moments. Ensure that all staff under their responsibility are clear on Organisational and DPP objectives. Provide regular and fair feedback on performance.

Policy Development: Contribute to the structure and development of policy efforts for the Division. Coordinate internal policy matters and initiatives in collaboration with relevant IS and IMS contacts. Advise the ASG/DPP and DASG/DPP on policy development within the Division as well as throughout NATO.

Knowledge Management: Ensure the proper flow and access of information and knowledge across the DPP and key stakeholders in line with NATO knowledge management procedures and processes. Develop and promote innovative ways of working that improve the overall functioning and coordination of the DPP.

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS

Reporting Line: The incumbent reports to the Assistant Secretary General, Defence Policy and Planning.

Interactions: They work closely with the DASG, Directors and Section Heads, as well as with NATO International Staff at all levels and with senior NATO and national officials. They collaborate with the Office of the Secretary General.

Direct reports: 8
Indirect reports: N/A

5. COMPETENCIES

The incumbent must demonstrate:

• Achievement: creates own measures of excellence and improves performance.
• Analytical Thinking: sees multiple relationships.
• Clarity and Accuracy: monitors others' work for clarity.
• Conceptual Thinking: applies learned concepts.
• Customer Service Orientation: makes things better for the customer, addressing underlying customer needs.
• Impact and Influence: uses indirect influence.
• Initiative: is decisive in a time‑sensitive situation.
• Teamwork: solicits inputs and encourages others.

6. CONTRACT

Contract to be offered to the successful applicant (if non‑seconded): Definite duration contract of three years; possibility of renewal for up to three years, during which the incumbent may apply for conversion to an indefinite duration contract.

Contract clause applicable:

In accordance with the contract policy, this is a post in which turnover is desirable for political reasons in order to be able to accommodate the Organisation's need to carry out its tasks as mandated by the Nations in a changing environment, for example by maintaining the flexibility necessary to shape the Organisation's skills profile, and to ensure appropriate international diversity.

The maximum period of service foreseen in this post is 6 years. The successful applicant will be offered a 3‑year definite duration contract, which may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years. However, according to the procedure described in the contract policy the incumbent may apply for conversion to an indefinite contract during the period of renewal and no later than one year before the end of contract.

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

Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Régulations.

7. USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate), approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser, verification of your studies and work experience, and the successful completion of theaccreditation and notification process by the relevant authorities.

NATO will not accept any phase of the recruitment and selection prepared, in whole or in part, by means of reference documents without proper quotes (plagiarism), or any tools available on internet, including but not limited to translation facilities, or generative artificial‑intelligence (AI) 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 tools will be rejected without further consideration, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.

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

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.

Candidates will be required to provide documented medical evidence to support their request for accommodation.

Building Integrity is a key element of NATO’s core tasks. As an employer, NATO values commitment to the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability in accordance with international norms and practices established for the defence and related security sector. Selected candidates are expected to be role models of integrity, and to promote good governance through ongoing efforts in their work.

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

Applicants who are not successful in this competition may be offered an appointment to another post of a similar nature, albeit at the same or a lower grade, provided they meet the necessary requirements.

The nature of this position may require the staff member at times to be called upon to travel for work and/or to work outside normal office hours.

The organization offers several work‑life policies including Teleworking and Flexible Working arrangements (Flexitime) subject to business requirements.

Please note that the International Staff at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium is a non‑smoking environment.

For information about the NATO Single Salary Scale (Grading, Allowances, etc.) please visit our website . Detailed data is available under the Salary and Benefits tab.