Staff Officer (Strategic Engagement/Coordination)

NATO; Norfolk (CT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

NATO's ACT unit in Norfolk/SHAPE context seeks an experienced professional to lead and coordinate strategic engagement activities. You will organize high-level conferences, engage with defence and non-defence partners, and develop detailed policy and strategic outputs to guide NATO leadership.

Role requires strong facilitation, policy writing, and cross-organizational collaboration; you will work with international partners and think tanks while ensuring messages align with mission objectives.

Qualifications

• University Degree and 2 years function related experience, or Higher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 4 years post related experience.
• At least 3 years' experience in facilitating high level seminars/workshops/symposia etc.
• At least 2 years' experience contributing to high-level policy papers/strategy.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the organization of strategic level conferences, seminars and symposia, bringing top leaders together to evaluate problems, propose solutions and identify opportunities, production and dissemination of after-action reports and managing all related content, budget and contracting functions, in close coordination with NATO HQ, non-NATO entities and STRE.
• Engage with Defence organizations internal and external to NATO, institutions that conduct strategic research and evaluation to include, academic entities, economic institutions and IO/GO/NGO that have international influence on strategic events.
• Enable ACT's role as a military think tank by being member of the core team of topics under development and organize accordingly the requested workshops and reports. Such work may include engagement with think tanks, academia, NATO Authorities, Alliance members, Partners, Centres of Excellence, non-NATO entities and Industry.
• Ensure Commander's objectives, themes, goals and messages are reflected in all strategic events, overarching policy initiatives and briefings, aimed at providing best military advice to the Military Committee, Nations and NATO authorities
• Ensure strategic engagement is coherent and inputs are accurately reflected in command communications plans - by close staffing alignment with the Commanders Action Group, COS's Outer Office and Strategic Communications.
• Support the development and maintenance of SIE owned websites.
• Produce high quality, detailed and innovative staff products (Point Papers, PowerPoint presentations, In Progress Reports), as directed by the SIE Branch Head and in support of DCOS SPP and the Command Group.
• As directed, review & update existing MOUs/LOAs and agreements, in support of the Strategic Outreach Coordinator, with both NATO and non-NATO entities (such as COEs, think tanks, Universities and industry).

Skills

Facilitation of high-level events

Policy papers / strategy contribution

Strategic engagement

Education

University degree

Higher secondary education + vocational training

Job description

Post Context

ACT contributes to preserving the peace, security and territorial integrity of Alliance member states by leading, at Strategic Command level, Warfare Development required to enhance NATO's posture, military structures, forces, capabilities and doctrines.

The Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (SPP) acts on behalf of SACT to formulate policies, strategies, engagements, ACT contributions to NDPP, and analytical practices that enable the Commander to provide strategic foresight, planning, strategy and policy advice, concepts, and strategic engagement to NATO's political and military leadership. Principal outputs include, but are not limited to: long term strategic foresight, strategic level concepts, situational awareness/strategic anticipation, Minimum Capability Requirements, Draft Capability Targets, Suitability Assessment of Allies and NATO Defence Plans, and regional and functional to security related environments.

The Strategic Issues and Engagement Branch coordinates the development of strategic issues identified by SACT in support of Warfare Development. In its advisory role, the Branch coordinates the direction for strategic engagement with NATO's senior leadership and Non-NATO Entities, ensuring both message and intent are aligned with the Command's Warfare Development agenda.

The incumbent will execute the engagement and coordination activity in support of DCOS SPP objectives as directed by the Branch Head.

Principal Duties

• Contribute to the organization of strategic level conferences, seminars and symposia, bringing top leaders together to evaluate problems, propose solutions and identify opportunities, production and dissemination of after-action reports and managing all related content, budget and contracting functions, in close coordination with NATO HQ, non-NATO entities and STRE.
• Engage with Defence organizations internal and external to NATO, institutions that conduct strategic research and evaluation to include, academic entities, economic institutions and IO/GO/NGO that have international influence on strategic events.
• Enable ACT's role as a military think tank by being member of the core team of topics under development and organize accordingly the requested workshops and reports. Such work may include engagement with think tanks, academia, NATO Authorities, Alliance members, Partners, Centres of Excellence, non-NATO entities and Industry.
• Ensure Commander's objectives, themes, goals and messages are reflected in all strategic events, overarching policy initiatives and briefings, aimed at providing best military advice to the Military Committee, Nations and NATO authorities
• Ensure strategic engagement is coherent and inputs are accurately reflected in command communications plans - by close staffing alignment with the Commanders Action Group, COS's Outer Office and Strategic Communications.
• Support the development and maintenance of SIE owned websites.
• Produce high quality, detailed and innovative staff products (Point Papers, PowerPoint presentations, In Progress Reports), as directed by the SIE Branch Head and in support of DCOS SPP and the Command Group.
• As directed, review & update existing MOUs/LOAs and agreements, in support of the Strategic Outreach Coordinator, with both NATO and non-NATO entities (such as COEs, think tanks, Universities and industry).

Essential Qualifications / Experience

• University Degree and 2 years function related experience, or Higher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 4 years post related experience.
• At least 3 years' experience in facilitating high level seminars/workshops/symposia etc.
• At least 2 years' experience contributing to high-level policy papers/strategy.

Language

English - SLP 3333 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

Attributes/Competencies

Personal Attributes:

The post-holder must be able to work independently with little supervision to achieve their outputs. The incumbent must demonstrate excellent speaking and presentation skills, interpersonal tact and the ability to work harmoniously in a fast-paced, changing international environment. The candidate must be comfortable dealing directly with individuals holding all ranks on a daily basis. Strong team work is essential. Post holder will plan own work and will be required to use initiative and own knowledge to deliver effective outputs.

Managerial Responsibilities:

There are no subordinates to this post, but the incumbent must be able to work as part of teams drawn from within and beyond the Branch, persuading and reasoning to achieve solutions.

Professional Contacts:

There are no subordinates to this post, but the incumbent must be able to work as part of teams drawn from within and beyond the Branch, persuading and reasoning to achieve solutions.

Contribution To Objectives:

The incumbent will be responsible for directing the organization and implementation of strategic engagement activities across ACT. The post-holder will be required to provide advice and guidance on strategic engagement matters, the success of which directly impact SACT's core 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.

Notes for Candidates

The HQ SACT web site gives full details on the eligibility criteria and application processes to be adopted by all candidates. However, candidates should particularly note:

Particular attention should be given to Education and Experience section of your application form, which should be populated with details of your career to date and educational achievements and certifications as they relate to your application.

The candidature of NATO redundant staff at grade G15 will be considered with priority.

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 such 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 07 September 2026 @ 17:59hrs (EDT)/11:59hrs (CEST).