Officer, Defence Industrial Capacity

North Atlantic Treaty Organization; Brussel; Sur place; EUR 80 000 - 140 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in Brussels seeks a Defence Industry Capacity Officer to lead on policy development and coherence across transatlantic defence industrial bases. The role requires monitoring EU and NATO policy developments and advising on capacity-building strategies.

The officer will engage with industry, CNAD, and international partners to align policy options with alliance needs, and will contribute to security and interoperability initiatives across the defence

Qualifications

• University degree or equivalent in a relevant field.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in research, analysis and data presentation for strategy.
• Excellent analytical and briefing skills (verbal and written) for policy issues.
• Solid knowledge of defence industrial sector, EU policy initiatives and trends affecting defence industrial bases.
• Proficiency in NATO official languages (English/French): Advanced and Elementary as required.

Responsabilités

• Policy Development: provide or coordinate advice on questions of international cooperation related to defence industry and capacity; draft and contribute to policy proposals with data-driven input.
• Expertise Development: maintain expertise on alliance and partner defence policies; advise committees on partner-related industrial considerations.
• Stakeholder Management: develop external/internal networks; liaise with industry, CNAD, NATO agencies, and other organizations; represent NATO at events.

Connaissances

Analytical thinking

Briefing skills

Policy analysis

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Formation

University degree

Description du poste

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

Job Description - Officer, Defence Industrial Capacity (261500)

Officer, Defence Industrial Capacity - 261500

Schedule

Full-time

Application Deadline

19-Oct-2026, 9:59:00 PM

Salary (Pay Basis)

Grade NATO Grade G15-G17

1. SUMMARY

The Defence Industry, Innovation and Armaments Division (D2IA) leads on the rapid development and delivery of cutting-edge and interoperable defence capabilities, working with innovation ecosystems and industry across the Alliance to meet NATO’s deterrence and defence needs.

The Defence Industry Capacity Officer provides policy expertise and support on topics related to the transatlantic technological and defence industrial base, particularly in relation to NATO and EU. The incumbent works laterally across a complex set of stakeholders and organizations to ensure coherence of their work and other strategic initiatives. The incumbent monitors and supports coherence with, and outreach to, similar national and EU policy efforts.

2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• possess a university degree or equivalent level of qualification in a relevant field for this position;
• have at least 3 years of relevant work experience, including researching, analysing and presenting data for strategic decision making;
• have excellent analytical skills, strong briefing (verbal and written) skills including the ability to identify and distil complex policy issues;
• possess a solid knowledge of the defence industrial sector, EU policy initiatives, and a good understanding of current trends affecting the defence industrial bases ; and
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; II (“Elementary”) in the other.

The following would be considered an advantage:

• possess an understanding of NATO and current developments affecting the Alliance, including in the domains of defence industry and capability development; and
• completion of programme management, strategy or policy development training (for example military staff college, civil service or industry programmes).

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Policy Development: Provide or coordinate advice on questions of international cooperation related to defence industry and defence industrial capacity, including the development of general and specific policy documents. Draft and contribute to policy proposals and provide data-driven input to policy, strategy and conceptual papers. Work closely with the section Head on monitoring and supporting coherence with EU policy initiatives. Ensure that policy options applied to the transatlantic defence industrial base are informed, coherent and aligned.

Expertise Development: Develop and maintain expertise on current developments across Alliance and partner defence industry and defence industrial policies. Advise committees and groups supported by D2IA on partner-related defence industrial considerations for capability delivery-related policies and initiatives. Monitor developments in the transatlantic industrial base, academia, government policy and other relevant NATO committees/bodies relevant to broader policy making and implementation.

Stakeholder Management: Develop and maintain a broad external and internal stakeholder network relevant to transatlantic defence industry issues and policy development. Liaise extensively with stakeholders across industry, the NATO Enterprise, the Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD) and its substructure, and other organizations to ensure that requirements related to the transatlantic industrial base are well informed, coherent and aligned. Represent the Organization at international industrial events and conferences.

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS

Reporting Line: The incumbent reports to the assigned lead officer within the section.

Interactions: They work in close cooperation with the section and entire Division. They also maintain contacts with senior members of the International Staff and International Military Staff, members of national delegations, NATO Science & Technology Organization, NATO Agencies, International Organizations, industry partners and subject‑matter experts.

Direct reports: N/a

Indirect reports: N/a.

5. COMPETENCIES

• Analytical Thinking: sees multiple relationships.
• 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: expresses positive attitudes and expectations of team or team members.

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 Regulations.

NOTE: Irrespective of previous qualifications and experience, candidates for twin‑graded posts will be appointed at the lower grade. These circumstances are described in the IS directive on twin‑graded posts.

7. 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 e‑recruitment system, as applicable.

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 the accreditation 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 encourage 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.

NATO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. For more info please click here.