Staff Officer (Audience Research)

NATO; Norfolk (CT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

NATO is seeking an experienced analyst to design and conduct mixed-methods audience research for Information Environment Assessment. You will analyze demographic, psychographic and sociographic data to uncover behavioural drivers and segmentation, then translate insights into practical guidance for planners and practitioners in strategic communications.

The role requires strong written and oral communication skills and experience with external research projects.

Qualifications

• University degree in sociology, behavioural science, psychology or related discipline with research methods coursework and 2+ years related experience.
• 2+ years in social/behavioural sciences focusing on research design, data collection and analysis.
• Ability to synthesize audience research findings into actionable strategic insights.

Responsibilities

• Design, conduct and commission mixed-methods audience research (surveys, focus groups, interviews).
• Analyze data using qualitative and quantitative techniques to identify segments and drivers.
• Translate findings into practical guidance for planners and practitioners in strategic communications.
• Advise on engagement strategies and present briefs to senior staff as required.

Skills

Audience research

Data analysis

Communication skills

Research design

Education

University degree in social science

Higher secondary education with vocational qualification

Tools

Research software

Job description

Post Context

Headquarters Allied Joint Force Command Norfolk (JFCNF) provides a resilient, static Joint headquarters to plan, prepare and conduct operations across all domains in peacetime, crisis and conflict, in order to support NATO's three core tasks, at the Joint Operational level, as directed by SACEUR.

The Communication Directorate is responsible for the management of information activities and capabilities in support of JFCNF policies, operations and activities to advance the aims of the Command.

The Information Environment Assessment Branch is responsible for conducting systematic, data-driven analysis and assessment of the Information Environment to support understanding, decision-making and the application of capability in the engagement space.

The incumbent provides expert design, analysis and interpretation of mixed-methods audience research in support of Information Environment Assessment and Strategic Communications. This role contributes to the development of evidence-based insights, enabling effective audience segmentation, messaging and engagement strategies, and supports informed decision-making across ACO.

Principal Duties:

• Design, conduct and commission mixed-methods audience research (including surveys, focus groups, interviews and other qualitative and quantitative methods) to generate robust insights on audiences relevant for NATO in support of Information Environment Assessment.
• Analyse audience research data using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques (e.g. cross-tabulation, segmentation, thematic analysis) to identify behavioural patterns, trends and audience segments.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of target audiences, integrating demographic, psychographic and sociographic profiling to identify behavioural drivers, barriers and influencing factors.
• Provide evidence-based recommendations to improve messaging, targeting and Strategic Communications effects design in order to more effectively engage selected audiences.
• Support the development of tailored communications and engagement approaches by translating audience research findings into practical guidance for planners and practitioners.
• Advise on strategies to effectively engage with target audiences, based on rigorous audience research and analysis.
• Provide strategic-level briefs on designated aspects of audience research and the Information Environment to senior staff and decision-makers, when required.
• Maintain awareness of emerging audience research methodologies, tools and best practices, and contribute to their appropriate application within NATO.
• Undertake additional duties and assume other responsibilities as directed by the Chain of Command.

Essential Qualifications / Experience:

• University Degree in sociology, behavioural science, psychology, political science or a related discipline, with demonstrated coursework in research methods and 2 years function related experience, or Higher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training in that discipline leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 4 years post related experience.
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in social or behavioural sciences, audience research, or a closely related field, with a strong focus on research design, data collection and analysis.
• Proven ability to synthesise and interpret audience research findings to produce clear, evidence-based insights and recommendations relevant to strategic communications, engagement or behaviour change.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with a proven ability to present complex research findings in a clear, structured and logical manner to both specialist and non-specialist audiences, with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated experience designing, conducting and analysing qualitative and/or quantitative audience research, including surveys, focus groups and interviews, and applying appropriate analytical techniques (e.g. cross-tabulation, segmentation, clustering, thematic analysis).
• Experience working with externally commissioned research, including acting as a technical interface with research providers or commercial contractors, overseeing commissioned data collection, and assuring methodological quality and relevance of outputs.
• Proficiency in relevant research and analysis software including the ability to manage, analyse and visualise audience research data.

Language -

English - SLP 4343 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

Desirable Qualifications / Experience:

• Masters/PhD degree in in sociology, behavioural science, psychology, political science or a related discipline, with demonstrated coursework in research methods.
• Experience conducting audience research in strategic communication, influence or behavioural change context, including evaluation of communication or engagement activities to assess effectiveness and derive actionable audience insights.
• Participation in previous NATO training and exercises.
• Previous professional experience in NATO or in an international environment comprising both military and civilian elements, with exposure to multinational stakeholder coordination.
• Familiarity with behavioural science frameworks (e.g. capability, opportunity and motivation models) and their application to audience analysis or communications planning.

Personal Attributes:

The incumbent will need to display a high degree of professionalism, organisational, coordination and communication skills in the performance of their duties. The post requires a technically credible and mythologically strong professional with well-developed analytical skills, conceptual thinking and problem-solving ability. The ability to work collaboratively across teams, coordinate complex research activities, and engage effectively with a wide range of military, civilian and external stakeholders is essential.

Professional Contacts:

It is desirable that the incumbent has a wide range of professional contacts with personnel within NATO organisations and agencies, civilian academia and industry.

Contribution To Objectives:

Strategic Communications is an integral and essential part of NATO operations, missions, exercises and vigilance activities, and is of utmost importance for DDA and AOR Management. This post provides critical analysis capabilities towards achieving effects in the cognitive dimension either in support of military operations or as a primary objective, by providing baselining and analysis on which to plan activities. The incumbent additionally leads assessment of military strategic communications effect, including deterrence of hostile actors, towards overarching Military Strategic Objectives.

Security Clearance -

The successful applicant will be required to apply for and receive a NATO SECRET Security Clearance prior to final confirmation of contract and commencement of employment.

Contract

Serving NATO International Civilian staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations. Newly recruited staff will be offered a three-year definite duration contract.

NATO will not accept any phase of the recruitment and selection prepared, in whole or in part, by means of generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots, such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (Chat GPT), or other language generating 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 generative or creative AI applications may be rejected without further consideration at NATO's sole discretion, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.

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.

This vacancy will close on 12 Sep 2026@ 17:59hrs (EDT)/11:59hrs (CEST).