NATOs Strategic Communications build trust in and support for the Alliance by strengthening public awareness and understanding of NATOs priorities and activities. Led by the NATO Spokesperson/Director of Strategic Communications the Office of Strategic Communications (OSC) provides communications direction and guidance to stakeholders across the NATO enterprise and coordinates strategic communications activities across all NATO civilian and military bodies. The Office carries out full-spectrum communications analysing the information environment designing and creating content managing communications technology and platforms overseeing media relations and engaging with audiences through a wide range of channels
The Digital Communities and Content Section is the team responsible for landscape digital communication including: campaign conception marketing and distribution of content to engage the Alliances audiences in NATO missions events operations and activities. The Section comprises teams that manage: web multimedia content creation campaigns social media brand and corporate communications.
The role of the Head of Social Media is to develop and oversee the implementation of the social media strategy as part of OSCs multi-channel approach to audience engagement a critical vector for achieving the Alliances communications objectives.
2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL
The incumbent must:
possess a university degree in journalism communications international relations or related curriculum;
have experience managing a small team;
have a minimum of 5 years of experience in the strategic coordination of multiple social media channels and platforms;
have a proven ability to communicate creatively with and engage diverse audiences;
have extensive hands-on experience with editorial production on major enterprise social platforms (e.g. X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Facebook);
demonstrate sound political judgment and excellent analytical and conceptual skills to translate strategy into creative digital-first multiplatform communication;
have expertise in evolving social media platforms and a strong understanding of their respective evolving technical requirements and use;
have experience of paid advertising and influencer marketing;
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:
international professional experience;
experience working in an agency environment;
an interest and/or studies in international security issues;
knowledge of NATOs organisational structure and affiliated organisations;
experience in localisation for segmented international audiences;
experience managing a budget;
knowledge of social media monitoring tools;
experience creating such microcontent as factographs infographs and animated gifs;
experience drawing and reviewing metrics and analytics and applying lessons learned.
3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES
Project Management
Commission create and post content that is novel and engaging and in line with the campaign strategy content strategy channel strategy and NATO messaging. Oversee the production posting and monitoring of social products on NATOs flagship social media channels and platforms. Collaborate with NATOs multimedia content creators to shape professional quality content for NATOs owned platforms and channels Carry out and feed into assessments to continue to improve the way the Office of Strategic Communications reaches different target audiences. Administer the social media budget.
Information Management
Coordinate the social media tools used by the team for NATOs flagship channels and platforms and commission social listening activities. Keep abreast of political developments to ensure accuracy and currency of NATOs social media communication messages.
Stakeholder Management
Participate in a network of contacts including internal and external information providers and key actors in the field of communications in order to ensure the correct messaging on NATOs flagship social media outlets. Align efforts with the different key leader social media platforms. Maintain contact with private sector partners in particular social media platforms to ensure coherence with best practices;
People Management
Manage social media staff to include planning workloads and staffing resources for the implementation of the social media strategy. Carry out recruitments as necessary; manage performance and objectives setting; co-develop training plans; and actively promote team cohesion. Empower staff to carry out their roles confidently in incumbents absence. Promote integrity professionalism and accountability through a sound and inclusive leadership culture.
Expertise Development
Explore and research new methods and the evolution of media tools and social networks including in cooperation with the social media platforms. Evaluate the use and application of these methods in the framework of OSCs strategic objectives. Oversee NATOs social media policy and the creation of guidance. Inform and advise such stakeholders as senior management social media coordinators and content creators on the use of new methods and propose improvements to existing methods. Contribute and plan for social media activities for the enterprise platforms and channels in a coordinated way. Pilot and roll out novel ways of engaging users in NATOs story through social media.
Knowledge Management
Continuously monitor analyse and strive to improve the work methods processes and related tools of the team the section and the OSC. Assist in coordination efforts within and outside the Section and across the OSC to ensure that appropriate knowledge management systems and mechanisms are in place.
Perform any other related duty as assigned.
The incumbent reports to the Head of the Digital Communities and Content Section. The incumbent is also required to maintain close working relationships with other teams in the Office Strategic Communications producing social media content as well as with other internal and external content providers and the user community.
Direct reports: 4
Indirect reports: N/a.
The incumbent must demonstrate:
Achievement: Works to meet standards;
Analytical Thinking: Sees multiple relationships;
Clarity and Accuracy: Checks own work;
Conceptual Thinking: Applies learned concepts;
Customer Service Orientation: Takes personal responsibility for correcting problems;
Empathy: Is open to others perspectives;
Impact and Influence: Takes multiple actions to persuade;
Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation;
Teamwork: Solicits inputs and encourages others.
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.