Officer, Current Operations Section

NATO; Belgique; Sur place; EUR 90 000 - 120 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

NATO invites applications for a Current Operations Officer within the International Staff to support the policy development and crisis management functions of NATO's current operations portfolio.

The role requires delivering briefs, coordinating with allied and international partners, and deputising for the head of the section when needed. The successful candidate will travel to operational theatres and operate under strict deadlines.

Qualifications

• The incumbent must possess a university degree in political science, international relations or related fields.
• Strong knowledge of international relations and current affairs, with emphasis on crisis management and political‑military issues.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in multilateral diplomacy discussions and negotiations.
• Demonstrates flexibility, teamwork, and diversity; NATO official languages: Advanced in one, beginner in the other.

Responsabilités

• Policy development: analyse security and political developments, draft policy documents, brief senior NATO officials.
• Expertise development: build expertise on NATO operations and observe/advise leadership during travel.
• Stakeholder management: collaborate across staff, military authorities, NGOs and allies to foster consensus.
• Representation: prepare briefs, attend meetings, and deputise for section head as required.

Connaissances

University degree in political science

International relations knowledge

Crisis management experience

Multilateral diplomacy experience

Teamwork and collaboration

Languages: English/French proficiency

Policy development and briefing

Formation

University degree in political science, international relations or related fields

Description du poste

1. SUMMARY

The mission of the Operations Division of the International Staff is to prepare NATO for the defence of Alliance territory, to respond to crises at home and abroad, and to strengthen the capabilities of partners. Within the Current Operations Section, the incumbent will provide advice and drive policy development within the areas of their responsibility. The Current Operations Officers work closely together optimizing staff time and skills. The incumbent will deputize as required the head of the section. Given the highly demanding nature of operational responses, the role requires resilience and the capacity to deliver results under stringent deadlines. The post holder may be required to travel to non-permissive environments and undertake the Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT). Additionally, the post holder will need to provide proof of medical fitness and compliance with preventive medical measures and requirements in the area of deployment.

2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The incumbent must:

• possess a university degree in political science, international relations or related fields;
• have strong knowledge of international relations and current affairs, with particular emphasis on crisis management issues and political-military issues;
• have at least 5 years of relevant experience, including participating in and guiding multilateral diplomacy discussions and negotiations;
• demonstrate flexibility and strong drive for teamwork and diversity; and
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO's official languages (English/French): V (Advanced) in one; level I (Beginner) in the other.

The following would be considered an advantage:

• experience with NATO political-military processes and NATO operations, missions and activities;
• field experience, particularly in the Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq or other working experience of NATO military operations and training missions; and
• experience leading multinational teams or projects with diverse stakeholders.

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Policy Development: Analyse and evaluate important security and political developments area of assignment, draft related policy documents, clearly outlining NATO responsibilities and involvement, and promulgate and monitor policy implementation. Compile and share information and advice on matters affecting their area(s) of responsibility, including selecting political / operational issues for discussion in relevant committees. Conceptualise and prepare briefing material, speaking notes and point papers for the Secretary General, Ambassadors and other senior NATO officials. Participate in and lead internal task forces, as required.

Expertise Development: Develop and maintain own expertise on NATO operations, missions and activities. Assess effectiveness of NATO's involvement in operations and formulate proposals and recommendations for stakeholders, such as the International Military Staff (IMS) and Strategic Commands, within a strict timeframe to address critical events. Visit operational theatres to observe and assess operations and/or advise NATO leadership during travel.

Stakeholder Management: Collaborate across the International Staff, NATO Military Authorities, agencies and Allies in order to ensure collaboration in own portfolios. Develop stakeholder management strategies to foster consensus and influence strategic developments related to NATO current and future operations. Collaborate with other international organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the field of crisis management.

Representation of the Organization: Assist the Head of the Current Operations Section, Divisional leadership and the Secretary General by providing briefs, taking notes and preparing documents. Prepare for and report on planned and unplanned meetings of various NATO bodies that discuss the political aspects of NATO's current operations and crisis management. Attend meetings on behalf of NATO, including with other international organisations, provide briefings and speak at external conferences, in areas related to own portfolio. Deputise for the Head of Section in external and internal engagements, as required.

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS

Reporting Line: The incumbent reports to the Head of the Current Operations Section.

Interactions: The incumbent coordinates work with the other Officers within the section and/or Division. They maintain close working relationships within OPS and liaise with other NATO Divisions and Independent Offices, NATO Military Authorities (NMA) and the IMS in order to ensure proper coordination and communication regarding work activities and accurate development of operational engagement plans. In addition, they maintain solid communication with international organisations and take on assignments in various regions that may change due to global events.

Direct reports: N/A

Indirect reports: N/A

5. COMPETENCIES

The incumbent must demonstrate:

• Analytical Thinking: makes complex plans or analyses.
• Clarity and Accuracy: checks own work.
• Conceptual Thinking: Applies learned concepts.
• Customer Service Orientation: takes personal responsibility for correcting problems.
• Impact and Influence: takes multiple actions to persuade.
• Initiative: is decisive in a time-sensitive situation.
• Organizational Awareness: understands organisational climate and culture.
• 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.

NOTE: Irrespective of previous qualifications and experience, candidates for twin-graded posts will be appointed at the lower grade. Advancement to the higher grade is not automatic, and will not normally take place during the first three years of service in the post.

Under specific circumstances, serving staff members may be appointed directly to the higher grade, and a period of three years might be reduced by up to twenty four months for external candidates. These circumstances are described in the IS directive on twin-graded posts.

8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

NATO is committed to diversity and inclusion, and strides 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.