Officer, Partnerships

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organization; Brussel Hoofdstad; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation is seeking an Officer, Partnerships (261645) within the Science and Technology Organization (STO) in Brussels, Belgium. The role focuses on developing STO partnerships with NATO entities and external partners, with travel as required.

The candidate should have a strong background in S&T management, international collaboration, and policy development, and will work under the Chief Scientist and the Strategy & Policy Branch.

Qualifications

• Broad knowledge of research and development organisations.
• Broad knowledge of programmes and activities within NATO member states’ S&T communities.
• Broad operational knowledge of military technology.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a Science & Technology environment at different management levels.
• International environment experience with multinational teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage STO institutional partnerships with NATO entities and external partners.
• Develop and revise partnership agreements with the Chief Scientist and Strategy & Policy.
• Coordinate implementation of STO partnerships across STO and partner institutions.
• Manage STO political partnerships, including ITTPP and S&T elements.

Skills

R&D organisations

NATO S&T communities

Military technology

Multinational environment

Clear document authoring

Public speaking

Office software

Education

University degree in science/engineering/maths

Job description

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

Job Description - Officer, Partnerships (261645)

Officer, Partnerships - 261645

Primary Location

NATO Body

Science and Technology Organization (STO)

Schedule

Full-time

Application Deadline

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

Salary (Pay Basis)

Grade NATO Grade G15

Description

Description :

1. Post Context.

The mission of the NATO Science & Technology Organization (STO) is to help position the Nations and NATO’s S&T investments as a strategic enabler of the knowledge and technical advantage for the defence and security posture of NATO and Partner Nations. The Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) is chartered to provide executive and administrative support to the Chief Scientist in fulfilling his/her roles as the Chair of the STB and the senior scientific advisor at NATO Headquarters. The Strategy & Policy Branch (GSX) provides the primary support to the Chief Scientist in policy development and the implementation of policies and programmes. The Branch drafts and develops the STB guidance for the STO, the NATO S&T Enterprise and the wider S&T ecosystem, and oversees its implementation. Furthermore, SPO performs strategic outreach to NATO S&T Enterprise and ecosystem, promotes STO partnerships, and prepares strategic messages for the Chief Scientist at STO corporate level.

Candidates are requested to provide a motivation letter outlining their interest in the position and relevant experience. The motivation letter will be taken into consideration as part of the selection process.

2. Principal Duties.

• Managing and developing STO institutional partnerships (with other NATO entities, and other organisations such as the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the NATO Innovation Fund, and the NATO-accredited Centres of Excellence) by:
• Maintaining oversight over STO Partnerships with other entities;
• Developing new and revising existing partnership agreements, as directed by the Chief Scientist and in close coordination with the Head, Strategy and Policy;
• Coordinating the implementation of STO institutional partnerships across STO and with the respective institutional partner, e.g., through annual action plans (as defined in the specific partnership agreements agreed by the STB);

• Managing and developing STO political partnerships (with non-NATO countries), in accordance with extant NATO partnership policies, by:
• Maintaining oversight over NATO’s Individually Tailored Partnership Programmes (ITPP), in particular the S&T elements therein;
• Draft STO contributions to ITPPs, and coordinate those drafts within the STO and with NATO HQ staffs;
• Engage with Partner country representatives on ITPPs.

• Maintaining an overview of NATO partnership policies relevant to STO;
• Supporting the Head, Strategy & Policy by:
• Advising on updates and revisions of STO partnership policies;
• Formulating recommendations and promoting new organisational schemes of cooperation aimed at institutionalising partnerships.

• Acting as principal PoC for all partnership-related questions, both internal to the STO (from STB, STCs, CSO, CMRE) and external to the STO (in particular from IS/PASP and IMS/CS);
• Contributing to the development and implementation of the STB priorities, including the NATO S&T Strategies and NATO S&T Priorities, as well as STB initiatives and policies.

3. Special Requirements and Additional Duties.

• Performing other related functions, as directed by the Chief Scientist.
• The functions involve irregular working hours and frequent travel abroad, including on weekends.

4. Essential Qualifications.

a. Professional/Experience.

• Broad knowledge of research and development organisations.
• Broad knowledge of programmes and activities within NATO member states’ S&T communities.
• Broad operational knowledge of military technology.
• A significant previous experience, minimum 3 years, of working in a Science & Technology environment at different management levels.
• 3-year experience in working in an international environment having demonstrated the capability of working in a multinational and multicultural environment with scientific and military personnel at all levels. This pertains in particular to NATO or comparable organizations.
• Proven skills in authorship of clear and concise documents; and giving effective presentations.
• Sufficient managerial experience in the same or related career field at various levels of responsibility.
• Working knowledge of office word processing, spreadsheet, graphics presentations and database software.

b. Education/Training.

• A degree from a university or institute of recognised standing or an equivalent qualification from a defence/military institution, for example in a scientific, technical, engineering or mathematical discipline.

c. Language Requirements.

• Very good knowledge of one of the two official NATO languages, English or French (SLP 4444), good knowledge of the other (SLP 3333). The work is mainly conducted in the English language.

5. Desirable Qualifications.

a. Professional/Experience.

• Experience in a Ministry or Department of Defence dealing with the development of defence capabilities and military technology.
• Practical management experience in planning, programming and budgeting.
• Proven skills in leadership, conflict resolution and negotiating, chairing meetings, and training of subordinates.
• Experience in supervising staff.

b. Education/Training.

• A state or university post-graduate degree in a scientific, technical, engineering or mathematical discipline of interest to defence and/or security.

c. Language Requirements.

• Knowledge of other languages.

6. Attributes/Competencies:

a. Personal Attributes:

• Initiative.
• Analytical thinking.
• Tact and capacity to co-operate and work harmoniously with high-level civilian and military personnel of different NATO Nations.
• Reliability.
• Trustworthiness, discretion and high sense of responsibility.

b. Managerial Responsibilities:

NA

c. Professional Contacts:

• Interacts daily with the Chief Scientist and other staff members in the OCS, who are International Military Personnel or NATO International Civilians.
• Deals with high-level scientists, engineers and military personnel from Allied and Partner Nations.
• Co-ordinates activities with members of the STB, National Co-ordinators, Chairs of the STO Scientific and Technical Committees, and Directors and staff of the STO Executive Bodies.
• Coordinates with senior NATO officials at coordination level.

d. Contribution to Objectives:

The Officer, Partnership provides the essential support to the Chief Scientist with regard to STO partnerships.

7. Remarks.

None.

8. 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. Contract clause applicable: This is a senior post of specialised political nature in which turnover is required for political reasons. 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.The maximum period of service in this post is six years. 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. Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations.

9. 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:

• For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal ( link );
• For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment

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 study(ies) and work experience, and the successful completion of the accreditation and notification process by the relevant authorities.

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.