The publication of this call for interest is organised as a fast track competition open to candidates who already hold a valid NATO personnel security clearance or a valid personnel security clearance (PSC) at the appropriate level issued by the candidate’s parent National Security Authority (NSA) / Designated Security Authority (DSA) or any other competent security authority: this may include NATO International Civilians, temporary staff, consultants, contractors, interns, Voluntary National Contributions (VNCs) and members of Allied National administration

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. The Operations Division advances the core tasks of the Alliance (Deterrence and Defence, Crisis Prevention and Management, Cooperative Security) by providing policy advice, situational awareness, advance planning, well-exercised and executed crisis-response, and outcome-oriented defence and related security cooperation programmes.
The Operations Directorate supports political-military decision-making in the North Atlantic Council (NAC), through the Operations Policy Committee (OPC), on all political aspects related to the planning and execution of current and future NATO-led operations missions and activities, as well as on the Alliance’s operational preparedness to perform its deterrence, defence, and crisis management tasks.
The Current Operations Section (COPS) is part of the Operations Directorate. This Section provides advice and support on the policy and political aspects of operations, missions and activities under the responsibility of the Assistant Secretary General for Operations.
The Head of COPS is responsible for planning, organising, executing, leading and reviewing the work performed by the Section, ensuring alignment with Alliance objectives. The incumbent provides quality policy advice, policy and strategic papers to the NAC, the OPC and other high-level task forces and political working groups, taking into account that current events may alter the type of work required in a significantly reduced time frame. The incumbent may chair meetings of the OPC as necessary. Adaptability under pressure and capability to perform tasks at short notice are major requirements to enable the post holder to successfully perform responsibilities.

The section operates in close coordination, optimizing staff time and expertise; accordingly, the incumbent must demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness to the evolving needs of the team. In view of the highly demanding nature of operational responses, the role requires resilience, sound judgment, and the capacity to deliver results under stringent deadlines and challenging circumstances.

Key challenges facing the successful candidate over the next 3-5 years will include:

1. Considering how NATO operations, missions and activities outside SACEUR’s Area of Responsibility contribute to Alliance deterrence and defence and support NATO’s Strategic Concept following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine;

2. Advancing NATO’s role in Kosovo and in Iraq given the security and political developments across those regions;

3. Evolving NATO’s role in sustaining support to Ukraine, both financially and practically.

In addition to the application form, candidates are expected to submit a Word or pdf document, maximum of two A4 pages, summarising their views on the key (and possible other) challenges facing the Defence Capabilities Section, and how they would address them if selected for the position.

2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL
The incumbent must:

• possess a university degree, or an equivalent level of qualification, preferably in political science, international relations or broadly related fields from an institute of recognized standing;
• have at least ten years’ recent experience executing similar crisis management work for a national administration, military or International Organisation;
• have at least 5 years’ experience leading and developing a diverse team;
• have experience participating in and guiding multilateral diplomacy activities;
• possess excellent drafting and editing skills;
• possess understanding of NATO operations and missions;
• have knowledge of the interrelationships between NATO Headquarters, the NATO Strategic Commands, and national civilian and military authorities of Allies and partners;
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other;
• be available and willing to travel to non-permissive environments and undertake the Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT);
• be prepared to work outside of normal office hours in response to crises or urgent requirements when required.

DESIRABLE
The following would be considered an advantage:

• relevant field experience;
• knowledge of other International Organisations (IOs), such as appropriate Departments of the UN and the EU;
• public diplomacy experience;

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Policy Development
Provide analysis and evaluation on important security and political developments with regard to NATO operations and missions, in particular Ukraine, Kosovo and Iraq. Provide advice on matters affecting her/his area(s) of responsibility, including for inclusion in briefing material and other background topics for the Secretary General, Ambassadors and other senior NATO officials. Develop policy guidelines that address current and potential crises.

Expertise Development
Support the Division’s leadership in reviewing strategic forecasts regarding current and future NATO operational commitments. Analyse operational and theatre capacities and options on a regular and often immediate basis. Propose options for theatre operations to multi-national stakeholders and the Strategic Commands. Participate in conferences related to her/his area of expertise. Visit operational theatres to observe and assess operations and/or as an advisor to NATO delegations.

Organisational Efficiencies
Identify innovation opportunities and adapt the Section’s structure as necessary to ensure maximum efficiency.

People Management
Lead the work of the Section. Cultivate a motivating, inclusive and effective workplace. Provide in-depth mentoring, coaching and training opportunities and be available to offer guidance at critical moments. Promote transparency in decision-making, equal access to opportunities for all staff and an inclusive management culture. Ensure that all staff under her/his responsibility are clear on Organizational, Divisional and Section objectives. Provide regular and fair feedback on performance, informally as appropriate and via the HQ Performance Review and Development (PRD) system. Identify possible development and mobility opportunities for individuals. Ensure that the staff resources available in the Section are fully utilised through a flexible approach to areas of responsibility based on workload.

Financial Management
Prepare the Section budget proposals and ensure effective fund allocations.

Stakeholder Management
Lead diplomacy and cooperative efforts with International Organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) within the areas of responsibility of the Section. Work closely with other Sections within the Division, other IS Divisions and Services, International Military Staff (IMS) and NATO Military Authorities (NMAs), as well as Allied and partner national representatives to ensure comprehensive and coordinated output. Identify appropriate contacts for International Organisations, as well as country contacts for NATO and non-NATO forces deployed on NATO operations.

Representation of the Organization
Provide and give briefs and submit documents associated with work related to the NAC, Ministerial meetings, bi-laterals and subordinate groups and committees, in particular the OPC. Attend meetings and relevant conferences concerning NATO operations and missions. Participate in and lead internal task forces, as required. Expand and strengthen contacts with countries where NATO forces are deployed or deployment is envisaged, including with neighboring nations as well as with other involved International Organisations.

Project Management
Review project and programme objectives and outcomes, particularly drafting, negotiating and finalizing the regular reviews of operations, missions and activities, that may impact the work of the Division. Oversee the implementation of appropriate post crisis management measures. Guide the management of the NATO Advisory and Liaison Team (NALT) in Kosovo. Be in close and regular contact with the office and other stakeholders as necessary.

Knowledge Management
Ensure an efficient collection of high-quality content within the Section and channel information to key players in NATO and influence strategy and opinions.

Planning and Execution
Assist the Director for Operations, DASG and ASG through overall management of the Section to achieve set divisional objectives. Determine priorities and urgent matters for the Section and address accordingly. Oversee preparation of items to be discussed at NAC and subordinate groups and committees, in particular the OPC.

Vision and Direction
Assist the Director for Operations, DASG and ASG in the decision-making process on NATO’s involvement in current and future operations and/or missions.

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The incumbent reports to the Director for Operations and manages the work of the Section as well as the work conducted by the NALT in Kosovo. The incumbent maintains close working relationships within OPS and liaises with other NATO divisions, NMAs, nations participating in NATO operations and the IMS in order to ensure proper coordination and communication regarding work activities and accurate development of operational engagement plans. In addition, the incumbent is required to lead communication efforts with International Organisations and take on assignments in various regions that may change due to global events.
Direct Reports: 13 (COPS :11; NALT: 2)
Indirect report: N/a

5. COMPETENCIES

The incumbent must demonstrate:

• Achievement: Sets and works to meet challenging goals;
• Change Leadership: Personally leads change;
• Conceptual Thinking: Clarifies complex data or situations;
• Developing Others: Provides in-depth mentoring, coaching and training;
• Impact and Influence: Uses indirect influence;
• Initiative: Plans and acts up to a year ahead
• Leadership: Positions self as the leader;
• Organisational Awareness: Understands organisational politics;
• Self-Control: Stays composed and positive even under extreme pressure.

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 Organisation’s 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 Organisation’s 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 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. 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.

7. 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 (

);
For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment Before 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.

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Please note that the competition for this post is provisionally scheduled as follows

Final selection end of January, in Brussels, Belgium.
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More information about the recruitment process and conditions of employment, can be found at our website (http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/recruit-hq-e.htm)

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 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.

8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

https://www.nato.int/content/dam/nato/webready/documents/hr/2025/encoding-vacancies.pdf