Staff Officer (Legal Advisor)

This vacancy notice seeks to recruit two Staff Officer (Legal Advisor) positions in Grade G17: Staff Officer (Legal Advisor) - OJC GXLX 0030 and Staff Officer (Legal Advisor) - OJC GXLX 0040.

1. Post Context

Headquarters JSEC provides a resilient operational-level Joint Headquarters capable of supporting 24/7 operations to coordinate enablement (at the operational level) and on order the execution of reinforcement by forces (RbyFo) and sustainment flow in order to contribute to the Alliances ability to project and sustain combat power into across and from the Area of Responsibility (AOR) and if required into a Joint Operations Area (JOA).

The Command Group (CG) provides direction guidance and leadership to the staff to perform core functions and achieve objectives setting procedures and maintaining standards.

The Office of the Legal Advisor (O/LEGAD) provides the HQ with advice on all matters that may have legal implications affecting its responsibilities functions operations and activities.

The incumbent is responsible for legal support and provides legal expertise regarding Host Nation Support the international status of JSEC (including privileges and immunities) and other legal areas such as administrative law contracting law customs law and Host Nation law.

Reporting Line:
This post reports to OJC GXLX 0010 Legal Advisor OF-5.

2. Principal Duties

The incumbent is responsible for:

a. Advising COM JSEC the CG and staff on legal matters related to JSECs activities the international status of the HQ the status of HQ members and all fields concerning the legal foundation of JSEC including advice on international agreements.

b. Advising on all legal matters arising from relations with the Host Nation including legal issues concerning Garrison Support of JSEC cooperation with customs and law enforcement authorities in accordance with the NATO SOFA and environmental law issues.

c. Advising on contracting and fiscal legal issues; providing assistance to Contracting Officers across a wide range of commercial activities including bidding processes and settlement of contract disputes.

d. Conducting litigation regarding international and national employment law and customs law.

e. Acting as legal representative in JSECs Solicitation Review Board and Contract Award Committee.

f. Advising on Host Nation and Transit Nation law including State Emergency Law public private and security law for planning and execution of the RSN.

g. Drafting and contributing to military orders operational concepts and conceptual and developmental documents.

h. Providing legal support for JSECs sustainment functions including developing and drafting legal documents related to Host Nation Support (HNS) within SACEURs AOR and negotiating HNS technical arrangements.

i. Performing other legally oriented duties as directed.

3. Special Requirements

a. The incumbent may be required to perform a similar range of duties elsewhere within the organisation at the same grade without there being any change to the contract.

b. The incumbent may be required to undertake deployments in support of military operations and exercises and/or TDY (temporary duty) assignments both within and without NATO boundaries. Such operational deployment may exceed 30 days duration up to 183 days in any period of 547 days and may be on short notice. For NATO International Civilian Staff acceptance of an employment contract linked to this post constitutes agreement to deploy in excess of 30 days if required.

4. Essential Qualifications

a. Professional Experience

This role requires proven experience working independently with a high level of responsibility managing complex legal tasks and meeting agreed objectives deadlines and standards.

The position involves advising on legal standards analyzing risks and applying legal knowledge in varied and sometimes unpredictable situations.

Strong communication skills ethical judgment leadership ability and collaboration with diverse stakeholders are essential as is mentoring others and maintaining up-to-date legal knowledge.

b. Education/Training

a) University Degree and 4 years post related experience or Higher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 5 years post related and 2 years function related experience.

c. Language

a) English - SLP 3333 - (Listening Speaking Reading and Writing)

NOTE: The work both oral and written in this post and in this Headquarters as a whole is conducted mainly in English.

5. Desirable Qualifications

a. Professional Experience

a. Professional knowledge of international law and military operational law with participation in prior deployment or mission abroad.

b. Education/Training

a. Training in legal courses with focus on international law and operational law incl. Law of Armed Conflicts (LOAC) International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL).

b. NATO Host Nation Support Course (NHNSC) (LOG-LG-2707) provided by NATO - School Oberammergau (NSO)

c. NATO Operational Law Course (ETE-LG-3689) provided by NATO - School Oberammergau (NSO)

d. NATO Legal Advisor Course (ETE-LG-2688) provided by NATO - School Oberammergau (NSO)

e. Resource Management Education Programme (RMEP) Course (ETE-FI-2708) provided by NATO - School Oberammergau (NSO)

f. NATO Orientation Course (ETE-MW-3834) provided by NATO - School Oberammergau (NSO)

g. NATO-ACO Contingency Contracting Course (ETE-FI-31823) provided by NATO - School Oberammergau (NSO)

6. Attributes/Competencies

a. Personal Attributes

The duties as a legal advisor require clarity of thought sound consistent judgement good interpersonal and communication skills and a creative approach to bridge the challenge of the operationally necessary and ensuring compliance with the law since it also may have possible political implications. The incumbent must possess creativity and originality and ability to deal with projects with confidentiality and must be a mature articulate individual possessing tact and sound judgment.

b. Professional Contacts

Regular professional contacts at the working level with representatives of NATO nations NATO Agencies and NATO military headquarters regular professional contacts with staff at national ministries and national military headquarters which result often in courses of action of all participants. The legal advisor is expected to have also effective working relationships and good means of communication with all legal offices in NATO and the NATO nations.

c. Contribution to Objectives

The legal advisor contributes to the development and establishment of JSECs tasks relating to the major activities operations and exercises. The majority of issues advised is to ensure that the staff is properly informed about NATO rules and regulations and is able to implement and apply them to fulfil the mission. The legal advisor enables timely and effective planning of the RSN during peacetime crisis and conflict.

7. Contract

a. Serving NATO International Civilian staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations.

b. In accordance with current policy newly recruited staff will be offered a three-year contract which may be extended subject to a satisfactory recommendation to an indefinite duration contract.

c. Salary/Benefits: The salary is tax free including (where eligible) expatriation family and childrens allowances and additional privileges for expatriate staff; Education allowance for children (where appropriate) and an excellent private health insurance scheme; Generous annual leave and home leave (if eligible); Retirement Pension Plan.

8. Notes for Candidates

a. Applications must be submitted using the e-recruitment system. Applications and other documents will not be reviewed if sent through other formats (including email social network etc). Candidates should particularly note: When completing the application form using NATO Talent Acquisition Platform you are able to add attachments. Only attachments specifically asked for as part of the application process will be considered.

b. Particular attention should be given to Education and Experience section of your application form which should be populated with details of your career to date and educational achievements and certifications as they relate to your application.

c. All pre-screening questions should be answered completely. Expressions such as: please see attached CV please see annex please see enclosed document etc are not acceptable.

d. Before you apply we encourage you to watch this 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 This video contains the information you need to successfully submit your application on time.

e. After review of your online application successful candidates will usually be asked to complete a pre-recorded video interview. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to the final assessments.

f. Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance approval of the candidates medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser verification of the academic background and work experience.

g. 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.

h. The candidature of NATO redundant staff at grade G17 will be considered with priority.

i. 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.

9. Additional information

a. About Ulm: Ulm distinguishes itself as one of Germanys most livable cities by seamlessly blending a high-tech professional landscape with an exceptional quality of life. As a major innovation hub home to the Science Park it is known for its academic and business ecosystem in biotech and AI while its strategic importance is further underscored by the presence of the NATO Joint Support and Enabling Command (JSEC). Stationed at the Wilhelmsburg Barracks JSEC serves as a vital multinational headquarters responsible for the rapid movement and sustainability of forces across Europe reinforcing Ulms role as a key hub in continental security. This global significance is balanced by a convenient 15-minute city infrastructure that ensures almost everything is accessible by public transport foot bike or a short car ride. Residents enjoy a unique harmony between the charm of the historic city center and the natural beauty of the Danube all while benefiting from a safe clean environment excellent healthcare infrastructure and high-speed connections to major cities like Munich or Stuttgart.

b. 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.

c. 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 along with documented medical evidence to support your request.

d. All JSEC personnel are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the current NATO Code of Conduct as agreed by the North Atlantic Council (NAC) and thus display the core values of integrity impartiality loyalty accountability and professionalism.

e. Due to the broad interest in HQ JSEC and the large number of potential candidates telephone or email enquiries cannot be dealt with.

f. For more information on JSEC please visit our website.

g. This vacancy will be closed on 15 March 2026 at 11:59:00 PM (CET)