FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE RECRUITMENT/SELECTION PROCESS FOR THE NATO CLOSE PROTECTION UNIT
The NOS is responsible for the overall coordination of NATO security among member Nations NATO civil and military bodies as well as International Organisations and partner countries with which NATO cooperates. It is also responsible for the security of the NATO Headquarters (HQ) and its personnel in Brussels for the protection of the Secretary General and for the security and safety of its personnel in and on missions abroad. The NOS comprises the Office of the Director the Security and Policy Oversight Branch (SPOB) the Protective Security and Emergency Services Branch (PSESB) the Close Protection Unit (CPU) and the Security Intelligence Branch (SIB).
Within the JISD/NOS the mission of the CPU is to protect the Secretary General (SG) at NATO Headquarters (HQ) or any other location in Belgium or abroad armed or otherwise as the environment and circumstances dictate. The CPU ensures a secure environment for the SG to conclude personal and physical protection against all forms of actual or potential threats.
The CPU is comprised of a management administration and training structure as well as operational teams which focuses either on close protection or physical protection of the official SG Residence. The incumbent works as part of a team on a shift system basis carrying out Close Protection (CP) for the SG encompassing primarily escort duties but will also support the Close Protection Operation Centre (CPOC) when required. They are answerable through a Team Leader and an Operations Coordinator to the Head CPU.
AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL
The incumbent must:
have an educational background equivalent to higher secondary level;
have at least 4 years experience in CP and be an active member of a CP team from the national police or military institution within a NATO member country;
have passed a recognised CP training course(s) and have achieved competence in the following appropriate disciplines: tactical driving including with (civilian) armoured vehicles and covering escape and ramming procedures; firearms handling and shooting with short and long-barrelled firearms; self-defence; and associated CP operating procedures and drills
possess a valid B category (or equivalent) driving licence;
have a good understanding and knowhow in first responder medical training;
knowledge in the operation and use of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Intruder Detection Systems (IDS) and fire detection systems;
be in good physical psychological and tactical condition to enable the agent to intervene in emergency situations and to be able to pass the yearly CPU certifications;
have a basic knowledge of protocol procedures and awareness of related sensitivities;
have excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
possess the ability to adapt to changing situations and a proven ability to manage stress and emergency situations;
be able to work outside normal office hours including weekends holidays and nights sometimes at a short notice. The agent will be assigned on call duties requiring the him/her to be available and ready for duty at short notice within strict time limits imposed by the CPU Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs);
be prepared to travel extensively;
possess the following minimum levels of NATOs official languages (English/French): V (Advanced) in one; I (Beginner) in the other.
DESIRABLE
The following would be considered an advantage:
good knowledge of MS Office Word Excel PowerPoint SharePoint and Outlook;
certification in first-aid/medical training such as BLS-AED TCCC PHTLS;
certification with regard to firearms skills;
knowledge of and certification in advanced driving skills;
advanced CP tactical skills;
knowledge of basic fire-fighting measures;
knowledge of the Belgian police and judicial organisation and legislation in particular in the areas of public security public order fire-arms legal self-defence and priority vehicles;
familiarity with the use of open-source intelligence methods to gather situational awareness information (Open-Source Information);
knowledge in the operation and use of secure communications systems and GPS systems.
ACCOUNTABILITIES
Planning and Execution
Ensure the SGs physical protection at any given place and at all times against all forms of actual or potential attacks/threats and take the appropriate steps to provide protection in a crisis or pressure situation. This protection may include the use of force and/or firearms as dictated by the CPU standard operation procedures (SOPs). Assume the function of driver. Provide vehicular transportation to any other principal designated by the CPU management. Occasionally support the CPOC at the SG Residence. Assume the function of security liaison officer for the Deputy Secretary General or any other NATO staff member(s) as close coordination with the CPU managements team and the Office of the Secretary General perform reconnaissance and advance missions in Belgium and abroad including in high risk areas.
Stakeholder Management
Deal tactfully politely and discreetly with members of the Office of the SG host nation support officials and other high-ranking members of the diplomatic community. Be beyond reproach as regards to individual professional standards appearance and dress. Have the utmost discretion when dealing with information pertaining to the SGs personal and official life. Interact closely with the Office of the SG as well as with any other protocol and/or security officers involved. Identify any additional stakeholders that could be of importance for the ongoing or future missions. Represent the Organization in a professional manner.
Expertise Development
Follow all organised training courses within CPU including physical and tactical training weapon handling driver and medical trainings etc. When assigned by the Team Leader assume the role of Subject Matter Expert (SME) in one of the essential training domains of the CPU (Shooting Tactics-Research & Development Medical Self Defence and Admin-Technical Driving). Maintain up-to-date information on the developments within his/her domain of expertise and build up knowledge through external courses. Develop and prepare trainings and training tools in order to train the other members of the CPU to the level required by CPU Management. Communicate to the Team Leader any gaps or inaccuracies that they have identified in the existing CPU SOPs and propose improvements to enhance the efficiency of the Unit. When tasked by the Team Leader assist in developing SOPs for different Points of Interest that are frequently visited in the context of the CPU missions.
Information Management
Maintain a thorough understanding of the CPU SOPs. When performing a reconnaissance or advance mission collect and collate all necessary information in order to ensure the success of the mission. Present the collected information in a clear and concise report including pictures and maps in order to provide the appropriate information to all involved stakeholders before the execution of the mission. During the reconnaissance or advance mission record and subsequently pass on non-security related issues to the appropriate stakeholders. Carry out all administrative tasks assigned within the CPU. Upon accomplishment of a mission provide all relevant information to the CPU Training Coordinator so information can be centrally stored and made available for all CP agents and future missions
Perform any other related duty as assigned.
The incumbent reports to the Head Close Protection Unit through the Team Leader. They also coordinate arrangements with the relevant staff in the Office of the Secretary General when required. They have considerable contact with the Secretary General and entourage as well as their staff official visitors and guests.
Direct reports: N/A
Indirect reports: N/A.
The incumbent must demonstrate:
Achievement: Works to meet standards;
Analytical Thinking: Breaks down problems;
Customer Service Orientation: Takes personal responsibility for correcting problems;
Flexibility: Acts with flexibility;
Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation;
Organisational Commitment: Supports the Organization;
Self-Control: Responds calmly;
Teamwork: Cooperates.
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:
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.
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 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 NATOs sole discretion 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