Officer, Current Operations Section
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Job Summary
The mission of the Operations Division of the International Staff is to prepare NATO for the defence of Alliance territory to respond to crises at home and abroad and to strengthen the capabilities of partners.
Within the Current Operations Section the incumbent will provide advice and drive policy development within the areas of their responsibility. The Current Operations Officers work closely together optimizing staff time and skills. The incumbent will deputize as required the head of the section.
Given the highly demanding nature of operational responses the role requires resilience and the capacity to deliver results under stringent deadlines. The post holder may be required to travel to non-permissive environments and undertake the Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT). Additionally the post holder will need to provide proof of medical fitness and compliance with preventive medical measures and requirements in the area of deployment.
2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
The incumbent must:
possess a university degree in political science international relations or related fields;
have strong knowledge of international relations and current affairs with particular emphasis on crisis management issues and political-military issues;
have at least 5 years of relevant experience including participating in and guiding multilateral diplomacy discussions and negotiations;
demonstrate flexibility and strong drive for teamwork and diversity; and
possess the following minimum levels of NATOs official languages (English/French): V (Advanced) in one; level I (Beginner) in the other.
The following would be considered an advantage:
experience with NATO political-military processes and NATO operations missions and activities;
field experience particularly in the Balkans Afghanistan Iraq or other working experience of NATO military operations and training missions; and
experience leading multinational teams or projects with diverse stakeholders.
3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES
Policy Development: Analyse and evaluate important security and political developments area of assignment draft related policy documents clearly outlining NATO responsibilities and involvement and promulgate and monitor policy implementation. Compile and share information and advice on matters affecting their area(s) of responsibility including selecting political / operational issues for discussion in relevant committees. Conceptualise and prepare briefing material speaking notes and point papers for the Secretary General Ambassadors and other senior NATO officials. Participate in and lead internal task forces as required.
Expertise Development: Develop and maintain own expertise on NATO operations missions and activities. Assess effectiveness of NATOs involvement in operations and formulate proposals and recommendations for stakeholders such as the International Military Staff (IMS) and Strategic Commands within a strict timeframe to address critical events. Visit operational theatres to observe and assess operations and/or advise NATO leadership during travel.
Stakeholder Management: Collaborate across the International Staff NATO Military Authorities agencies and Allies in order to ensure collaboration in own portfolios. Develop stakeholder management strategies to foster consensus and influence strategic developments related to NATO current and future operations. Collaborate with other international organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the field of crisis management.
Representation of the Organization: Assist the Head of the Current Operations Section Divisional leadership and the Secretary General by providing briefs taking notes and preparing documents. Prepare for and report on planned and unplanned meetings of various NATO bodies that discuss the political aspects of NATOs current operations and crisis management. Attend meetings on behalf of NATO including with other international organisations provide briefings and speak at external conferences in areas related to own portfolio. Deputise for the Head of Section in external and internal engagements as required.
Perform any other related duty as assigned.
Reporting Line: The incumbent reports to the Head of the Current Operations Section.
Interactions: The incumbent coordinates work with the other Officers within the section and/or Division. They maintain close working relationships within OPS and liaise with other NATO Divisions and Independent Offices NATO Military Authorities (NMA) and the IMS in order to ensure proper coordination and communication regarding work activities and accurate development of operational engagement addition they maintain solid communication with international organisations and take on assignments in various regions that may change due to global events.
Direct reports: N/A
Indirect reports: N/A
The incumbent must demonstrate:
Analytical Thinking: makes complex plans or analyses.
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: solicits inputs and encourages others.
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 Organisations 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 Organisations 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 NATOs 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 Régulations.
NOTE:Irrespective of previous qualifications and experience candidates for twin-graded posts will be appointed at the lower grade. Advancement to the higher grade is not automatic and will not normally take place during the first three years of service in the post.
Under specific circumstances serving staff members may be appointed directly to the higher grade and a period of three years might be reduced by up to twenty four months for external candidates. 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 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: you apply to any position we encourage you to click here and watch our video providing 6 tips to prepare you for your application and recruitment process.
Do you have questions on the application process in the system and not sure how to proceed Click here for a video containing the information you need to successfully submit your application on time.
When submitting your application please ensure that your Taleo Candidate Profile is updated and that your CV is correctly uploaded in the Taleo attachments section.
More information about the recruitment process and conditions of employment can be found at our website ( will be subject to receipt of asecurity clearance(provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate) approval of the candidatesmedical fileby the NATO Medical Adviser verification of your study(ies) and work experience and the successful completion of theaccreditationand 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 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 NATOs 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 ourwebsite. 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.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
