Assistant Legal Advisor

NATO; Belgique (MO); On-site; USD 113,973 - 159,562; Full time

Job summary

NATO is seeking a civilian post in the Office of the Legal Advisor to provide international law expertise and ensure continuity within the IMS. The incumbent will deliver independent legal advice, research, and briefings for the CMC, DCMC, DGIMS, and IMS staff, supporting both external and internal legal matters.

Essential qualifications include a law degree with specialization in public international law, advanced English, and prior experience in an international organization.

Qualifications

• Master level degree in Law with specialization in Public International Law or related field.
• Advanced English, written and spoken.
• Experience as an assistant legal advisor in an international setting.
• Knowledge of international law and Law of Armed Conflict.
• Ability to draft legal memoranda and briefings.

Responsibilities

• Provide independent legal advice in line with IMS directives.
• Research and interpret international agreements and regulations.
• Prepare legal briefs and background papers.
• Support external and internal legal matters for NATO operations.
• Represent IMS LEGAD in tribunals when required.

Skills

Advanced English

Legal research

Drafting memoranda

Policy and advisory skills

Security and defense knowledge

MS Office (Word/Outlook/Excel)

Interagency coordination

Education

Master level University Degree in Law

Tools

Lexis/Nexis

SharePoint

Job description

OPEN TO NATIONALS OF NATO MEMBER STATES ONLY

STAFF VACANCY 261054

DIVISION: Director General International Military Staff (DGIMS)

Office of the Legal Advisor (O/LEGAD) is responsible for providing expert legal advice, technical guidance and other legal assistance to the Chair of the Military Committee (CMC), Deputy Chair of the Military Committee (DCMC), Director General International Military Staff (DGIMS), IMS Directors and all IMS staff. It advises on all legal aspects of IMS activities and MC action to promote compliance with all governing treaties, international agreements and applicable laws, with NATO policy and guidance, and all other Alliance obligations.

Support is provided in four primary areas: operational law, international law, administrative/institutional law and host nation law. It also handles claims, coordinates legal actions before international and national courts and administrative bodies and represents the IMS before the NATO Administrative Tribunal. This position is identified as a civilian post in a NATO Military Body to provide specific international law expertise and ensure continuity and corporate knowledge in the Office.

Principal Duties

The incumbent will contribute to the delivery of independent legal advice on external and internal legal and policy matters in line with the Office's advisory support to the CMC, DCMC, DGIMS, IMS Directors and all IMS Staff.

a. Support to External Legal and Policy Matters

• Supports all legal aspects of the IMS work in support of the MC, including DGIMS, CMC, DCMC and all IMS Divisions and Offices.
• Conducts research on legal issues relevant to IMS LEGAD in customary international law, law of armed conflict, operational and institutional law.
• Supports the review of operational plans, Rules of Engagement, Use of Force in NATO Missions, in line with NATO's Defense and Deterrence of the Euro‑Atlantic Area (DDA) implementation.
• Supports drafting of NATO policies with legal implications related to ongoing work strands in line with NATO's Strategic Concept and NATO 2030 Agenda.
• Prepares legal briefs and background papers on all topics of interest to IMS LEGAD, including but not limited to international, operational and administrative/institutional law issues.
• Interprets and analyzes existing international agreements, directives and regulations.
• Supports Military Committee Working Groups (MCWGs) as IMS LEGAD Representation when required.
• Assists in preparation and execution of legal support to various NATO exercises.
• Performs any other tasks necessary to the well‑functioning of the Office in support of all IMS LEGAD Members, including surge administrative support when needed.

b. Support to Internal Legal Matters

• Contributes to bettering legal coordination across the NATO Enterprise by conferring with other NATO legal offices.
• Advises DGIMS on all legal aspects of his authorities and administrative responsibilities as Head of NATO Body.
• Provides legal advice pertaining to the IMS presence in the host nation, including staff‑generated questions, studies and proposals, actions of boards and committees, contracts and purchasing issues.
• Provides legal advice pertaining to IMS civilian personnel disciplinary issues and personnel complaints, in cooperation with the IMS Civilian Human Resources Office.
• Supports the LEGAD and Deputy LEGAD when representing the IMS before the NATO Administrative Tribunal.

Special Requirements and Additional Duties

• Undertake TDY assignments both within and outside of NATO's boundaries.
• Perform other related duties.
• Perform duties in the NATO HQ Crisis Management Organisation.
• Required to work irregular hours and overtime.

Essential Qualifications

a. Professional/Experience

• Minimum of four years’ working experience as an assistant legal advisor for an international organisation or an international law firm.
• In‑depth understanding of international law and the Law of Armed Conflict.
• Proven knowledge of research techniques, including familiarity with computerized databases (e.g. Lexis).
• Ability to draft legal memoranda summarizing issues and suggesting recommendations from both a military and civilian perspective and to brief in written and verbal format.
• Excellent knowledge of security and defense as it relates to NATO.

b. Education/Training

• Master level University Degree in Law, with a specialization in Public International Law or related discipline.

c. Languages

• Advanced level of spoken and written English.

d. Computer literacy

• Use of MS‑Office applications essential to daily duties: advanced knowledge of Word, Outlook/Email, Excel, SharePoint and web applications; familiarity with current ICT systems for document processing, record keeping and information sharing.

Desirable Qualifications

a. Professional/Experience

• Previous work experience in a military environment.
• In‑depth understanding of current geopolitical dynamics.
• In‑depth understanding of Law of Armed Conflict and Rules of Engagement.
• Knowledge of Belgian (Host Nation) law.

b. Education/Training

• Qualification to practice as a lawyer.

c. Languages

• Elementary level of French.

Personal Attributes & Competencies

Works under broad discretion as work is often self‑initiated. Understands the relationship between own specialism and wider organisational requirements. Advises on available standards, methods, tools and applications relevant to own specialism and can make appropriate choices from alternatives. Facilitates collaboration between stakeholders with diverse objectives. Demonstrates customer service orientation. Demonstrates creativity, innovation and ethical thinking in applying solutions for the benefit of the Organisation.

Competencies

• Achievement: Works to meet standards.
• 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.
• Empathy: Is open to others' perspectives.
• Impact and Influence: Takes multiple actions to persuade.Initiative: Is decisive in a time‑sensitive situation.
• Teamwork: Solicits inputs and encourages others.

Managerial Responsibilities

• Fully responsible for meeting allocated technical and/or project objectives.
• Establishes milestones and has significant role in assignment of tasks and/or responsibilities.
• Undertakes work requiring application of fundamental principles in a wide and often unpredictable range of contexts.
• Demonstrates leadership.

Professional Contacts

• Influences Organisation, partners and peers on the contribution of own specialism.
• Builds appropriate and effective business relationships.

Contribution to the Objectives

• Makes decisions which impact the success of assigned work.
• Performs an extensive range and variety of complex technical and/or professional work activities.

Remarks

• Security Clearance – NATO SECRET (eligible for this level if not currently held).
• Work Environment – Normal office environment.

Diversity and Equal Employment Opportunity

NATO welcomes applications of nationals from all Member States 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. Candidates who require reasonable accommodation will be provided with accommodations as requested. 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.