Officer, Defence Capabilities

☞ NATO - OTAN

View: 145

Update day: 26-11-2025

Location: Brussels Brussels Capital

Category: IT - Software IT - Hardware / Networking Information Technology Executive management

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1. SUMMARY

The Defence Policy and Planning (DPP) Division has the lead role on the defence-related aspects of NATO’s fundamental security tasks at the political-military level.

Within the DPP, the Defence Capabilities Section supports the political-military work on the Alliance’s military adaptation, in particular through the implementation of the deterrence and defence concept and the warfighting concept. It deals with a wide range of policy issues related to Alliance deterrence and defence initiatives, capabilities and structures key to the Alliance’s deterrence and defence posture, including the NATO Command Structure, the NATO Force Structure, and the NATO Response Force. The section also contributes to the development of policy solutions to persistent shortfalls and challenges to Alliance readiness, responsiveness and reinforcement; multinational approaches to forces development; and specific topical problems that arise. It supports the Defence Policy and Planning Committee (DPPC) in such efforts by preparing the appropriate policy through relevant ant timely political-military advice.

Under the supervision of the Head, Defence Capabilities, the incumbent will assist in the further development of the Alliance’s deterrence and defence capability initiatives. The post holder will assist in developing political-military advice on a wide range of capability issues as well as on the further adaptation of the Alliance’s defence structures, concepts, and procedures. S/he will provide political-military advice on deterrence and defence capability-related documents prepared by the NATO Military Authorities.

2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL
The incumbent must possess:
• a university degree, or an equivalent level of qualification, from an institute of recognised standing or equivalent qualification;
  • have at least 7 years’ experience working for an International Organisation or a national administration, with a focus on defence policy and its implementation;
  • the capacity for independent conceptual analysis of issues affecting the Alliance’s deterrence and defence capability initiatives;
  • a thorough understanding of the organisation, preparation, command and employment of national military forces, including their interaction and relationship with Alliance structures;
  • have a good general knowledge of NATO policy issues affairs, including the organisation, basic procedures and processes on defence policy and planning issues, as well as major defence and deterrence challenges;
  • have a thorough knowledge of NATO policy issues related to deterrence and defence initiatives as well as relevant structures, concepts, and procedures;
  • possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other;
  • the ability to travel and to work outside business hours.

DESIRABLE
The following would be considered an advantage:
• Master’s degree in a relevant field;
  • experience working in a NATO context;
  • relevant military policy expertise at national or international level, including relating to the plans development, and preparation of forces for deterrence and defence activities;
  • be able to communicate clear, logical, persuasive and succinct arguments in English in oral and, especially written form.

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Policy Development
The incumbent will work on the development of general policy documents. Prepare, study or implement North Atlantic Council (NAC) decisions on critical deterrence and defence capability developments. Assist in developing and co-ordinating defence policy on capabilities, including deployability, sustainability, training, interoperability and command and control.

Expertise Development
Provide and co-ordinate advice regarding defence capability shortcomings and possible remedies. Produce papers, reports, briefs and studies on questions related to the NATO military organisation and to issues of policy related to NATO defence capabilities. Contribute to the development of political-military guidance on defence matters. Follow, and advise on, deterrence and defence capability-related aspects of the work of the NATO Military Authorities. Provide analysis on Alliance capability efforts and, taking account of previous capability efforts, develop appropriate proposals for new initiatives.

Stakeholder Management
Help identify and develop relations with national defence experts, in particular national representatives in the DPPC. Assist in developing defence-related co-operation, in particular by supporting the work of committees and groups tasked to promote closer co-operation between Allies and partners. Collaborate with colleagues in DPP and throughout NATO who handle aspects of deterrence and defence capability initiatives. Liaise with counterparts throughout NATO and in other International Organisations.

Knowledge Management
Develop reports and studies on wider security issues and on their interaction with defence policy and programmes. Prepare reports, briefing material, press statements and other material for defence ministerial meetings. Compile data for various capability-related reports, as necessary.

Information Management
Assist appropriate NATO committees in the development and preparation of documents dealing with the conceptual development of the Alliance’s deterrence and defence capability initiatives.

Representation of the Organisation
Give presentations to visitors to NATO HQ, provide briefings to the media when requested, and represent the Alliance at conferences and symposia
Perform any other related duty as assigned.

4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The incumbent reports to the Head, Defence Capabilities Section. S/he will maintain a good working relationship with other Directorates of DPP and with members of other Divisions of the International Staff and International Military Staff. S/He will work closely with staff of the two NATO Strategic Commands and, as necessary, with national delegations.
Direct reports: N/a
Indirect reports: N/a.

5. COMPETENCIES
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;
  • Organisational Awareness: Understands organizational 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 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.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 ( link );
  • For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment
Please note that at the time of the interviews, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of their education and professional experience as relevant for this vacancy.
Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate) and approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser.
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).
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.
Building Integrity is a key element of NATO’s 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 our website . Detailed data is available under the Salary and Benefits tab.
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Deadline: 10-01-2026

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