Junior Officer, Plans - nato : Job Details

Operations Position

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 (Collective Defence, Crisis Prevention and Management, Cooperative Security) by providing situational awareness, advance planning, well-exercised and executed crisis response, and outcome-oriented defence and related security cooperation programmes.

Under the authority of Director for Operations, the Plans Section contributes to the effective preparedness of the Alliance to face both deterrence and defence challenges and crises. The Section coordinates political-military advice for the North Atlantic Council through the Operations Policy Committee (OPC) on these matters. It guides the political aspects of advance planning in support of the Alliance's deterrence and defence, as well as potential NATO-led crisis response operations and exercises. It handles all aspects of strategic planning that require the North Atlantic Council's attention and coordinates work on posture management. The Section also has oversight of the enhanced situational awareness process in NATO HQ and of Geospatial Services.

The incumbent will be assigned duties by the Head, Plans Section to assist in the staffing and preparation of advice and recommendations to the Operations Policy Committee (OPC), and the Integrated Task Force on Posture Management and the Response Coordination Task Force. These will be in support of the decision-making process of the Council related to crisis management and collective defence in the Alliance as well as posture management. The incumbent will further support the review process of the NATO response system and will contribute to policy development on cross-cutting issues as required.

Qualifications and Experience

The incumbent must:

• possess a university degree in a field relevant for this position (e.g. Security or Defence Studies, International Relations);
• have at least 2 years of experience relevant to defence policy, operations planning and/or crisis management;
• have a good understanding of civil-military crisis management in the national and/or international context;
• have an awareness of NATO's crisis response, the Alliance's deterrence and defence posture, as well as the approaches of other International Organisations active in crisis management;
• have a broad knowledge and understanding of current international events and the security environment;
• have excellent drafting and communication skills;
• be available to travel and work outside normal office hours, when required;
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO's official languages (English/French): V ( Advanced ) in one; I ( Beginner ) in the other.

The following would be considered an advantage:

• a post-graduate university degree in a field relevant for this position;
• experience working for a national administration or international organisation on multilateral security affairs;
• familiarity with specific warfighting domains (eg. maritime, space, air, land);
• familiarity with the interrelationships between NATO HQ, the NATO Strategic Commands, national authorities of allies and partner nations.

Main Accountabilities

Support the development of initiatives, policy, doctrine, guidelines and procedures to increase NATO's operational preparedness to respond to the full spectrum of crises (both collective defence and crisis management), including by drawing on appropriate lessons learned, to help inform strategic political and military decision-making and planning.

Apply expertise to activities across the crisis spectrum. Prepare advice on operations-related political-military planning matters, including through the Response Coordination Task Force. Contribute to the conduct of seminars, workshops, exercises and other activities for NATO colleagues, national civil and military planners, including interaction with International Organisations, as required.

In cooperation with various stakeholders (inside and outside NATO, as required), coordinate or contribute to the development of crisis-related analysis and assessments as appropriate, taking into account inputs by all relevant stakeholders as well as own research. Share relevant operational information to ensure common situational awareness with NATO and partner delegations, National Military Authorities (NMAs) and other bodies, following set procedures and, according to need, with other International Organizations.

Liaise and cooperate with the International Staff, National Military Authorities (NMAs) and national representatives with regard to crisis prevention and management, collective defence procedures, civil and political-military planning-related issues and developments. Support the conduct of activities with NATO partnerships. Develop contacts and cooperation in support of the conduct of political/military activities designed to cooperate with international organisations involved in crisis management.

Take on additional relevant projects as deemed necessary by divisional management and relevant to Alliance crisis management, planning and operational objectives. Support training and exercises events, organization of committee meetings outside of NATO HQ.

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

Interrelationships

The incumbent reports to Head, Plans Section and through her/him, to the Director for Operations. They are also required to maintain close working relationships with other sections of the Operations Division, in particular the Crisis Response Systems and Exercises Section (CRSE) and Current Operations Section (COPS), and with the Operations and Planning (O&P) and Policy and Capabilities (P&C) of the International Military Staff (IMS). Additionally, they will coordinate with other Divisions of the International Staff, the IMS, the Situation Centre, the NATO Strategic Commands and national delegations, as necessary and be prepared to establish appropriate coordination with other non-NATO entities when so directed.

Competencies

The incumbent must demonstrate:

• Analytical Thinking: Sees multiple relationships.
• Flexibility: Acts with flexibility.
• Impact and Influence: Takes multiple actions to persuade.
• Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation.
• Organizational Awareness: Understands organisational climate and culture.
• Teamwork: Cooperates.

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.

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 Rgulations.

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 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? For a video containing the information you need to successfully submit your application on time. More information about the recruitment process and conditions of employment, can be found at our website.

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.

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,