Policy and Plans Officer

Brussels - Belgium

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 12 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

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 Policy Plans and Assessment Section sits within the Office of the Strategic Communications. It comprises the Information Environment Assessment (IEA) Unit Audience Research and the Policy and Plans.

The incumbent supports the development of strategic communications documents and policy papers including the annual communications strategy strategic communications frameworks integrated communications plans and other documents that provide direction and guidance. The incumbent is also responsible for providing support to the Committee on Public Diplomacy composed of representatives from NATO member countries. The incumbent further reinforces integrated communications planning between NATO HQ and the NATO Military Authorities. The post holder also develops and maintains networks of contacts with a broad range of stakeholders from NATO member countries partner nations and international organisations to support strategic communications coordination. The incumbent supports strategic communications capacity building efforts with Allies and partners.

2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL
The incumbent must:

possess a university degree from an institute of recognised standing or equivalent qualification in communications international relations or related field;
have at least 3 years experience in policy-making functions and/or strategic communications;
have a good knowledge of NATO affairs security issues and international relations;
demonstrate sound political judgement and knowledge of current events;
possess strong project management and organisational skills;
be familiar with various software packages in particular the Microsoft Office suite or similar;
possess solid oral and written communication and presentation skills;
possess previous experience working with multiple and diverse stakeholders;
possess the following minimum levels of NATOs official languages (English/French): V (Advanced) in one; I (Beginner) in the other;
be flexible to travel and work outside normal office hours.

DESIRABLE
The following would be considered an advantage:

strong English writing and oral presentation skills;
experience with campaign-based communications strategies;
experience in project management and the management of contracted services;
familiarity with or experience in other international institutions;
familiarity with military organisations.

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES
Policy Development
Support the development review and update of strategic communications input to NATOs policy documents in support of NATOs political priorities and objectives. Develop relevant strategic communications frameworks plans and guidance in support of the NATOs political objectives and priorities under the direction of the NATO Spokesperson/Director of Strategic Communications. Coordinate OSC support to the strategic communications capability development of Allies and partners.

Stakeholder Management
Establish and maintain close working relations with the NATO civilian and military chain of command and national Delegations to NATO including partner missions as appropriate. Identify potential key stakeholders and maintain regular contacts with other international organisations such as the European Union the United Nations the Organisation for Security and Cooperations in Europe and other international groups including the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism and the Global Coalition against Daesh.

Expertise Development
Advise the Spokesperson/Director on all matters related to strategic communications. Advise all relevant NATO offices as well as military commands and operations on strategic communications activities products and plans. Brief NATO bodies and external entities on strategic communications policies relevant to the Alliance as requested. Apply expertise interpret existing policies and advise others on best practices. Support strategic communications capacity building efforts with Allies and partners

Knowledge Management
Initiate the research and collection of data for knowledge management systems. Build and maintain knowledge and understanding of all NATO-related issues with the potential to impact strategic communications including policies political developments operations capability developments and international events.

Information Management
Ensure cross-sectional and office collaboration. Share knowledge on strategic communications-related issues through appropriate channels within the NATO HQ as well as other stakeholders.

Representation of the Organisation
Represent OSC in meetings with external stakeholders as appropriate. Be prepared to present NATO strategic communications to visiting groups NATO communications events NATO Military Authorities and strategic communications training courses as required. Contribute to NATO representation by developing information supportive of NATOs interests.
Perform any other related duty as assigned.

The incumbent reports to the Head Policy Plans and Assessment Section of OSC. The incumbent works in close coordination with other sections within the OSC as well as other divisions in the International Staff (IS) the International Military Staff (IMS) the NATO Military Authorities national Delegations and Allied capitals. The incumbent also maintains good working relations with partner nations and other international organisations as appropriate.
Direct reports: N/a
Indirect reports: N/a.

The incumbent must demonstrate:

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;
Impact and Influence: Takes multiple actions to persuade;
Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation;
Organisational Awareness: Understands organisational climate and culture;
Teamwork: Expresses positive attitudes and expectations of team or team members.

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 Organisations 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 Organisations 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 NATOs 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.

NOTE:Irrespective of previous qualifications and experience candidates for twin-graded posts will be appointed at the lower grade. Advancement to the higher grade is not automatic and will not normally take place during the first three years of service in the post.

Under specific circumstances serving staff members may be appointed directly to the higher grade and a period of three years might be reduced by up to twenty four months for external candidates. These circumstances are described in the IS directive on twin-graded posts.

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:

For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal (link);
For all other applications: 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.
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