Public Affairs & Protocol OfficerStrategic Communication Advisor

Post Context

The Joint Analysis and Lessons Learned Centre (JALLC) is NATOs Centre dedicated to support Alliance-wide implementation and sustainment of NATOs lesson learned (LL) policy and to improve NATOs ability to operate and adapt through LL analysis training advising and assessment activities enabling the establishment of effective lessons learned capabilities across NATO.
The Office of the Commander is responsible for assisting the JALLC Commander in the discharge of his duties.

The Staff Officer (Public Affairs and Protocol STRATCOM Advisor) has overall responsibility to the Commander JALLC for advice information and coordination of all matters related to Public Affairs STRATCOM and for ensuring the completion of all necessary protocol arrangements for conferences meetings social events presentations and addition provides guidance to JALLC staff on Protocol addition provides guidance to JALLC staff on Protocol matters.

Principal Duties:

• Acts as the JALLC spokesperson and advisor for COM JALLC and COS JALLC in making and communicating decisions that affect the organizations ability to accomplish the mission;
• Act as StratCom Advisor to the JALLC COM managing the JALLCs internal and external communications strategy and plan;
• Act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) on Public Affairs and Protocol issues directing supervising and coordinating all related activities laterally and vertically within the organizations area of responsibility;
• Employ communication tools and techniques to link the headquarters to its audiences opinion leaders and news media in order to promote public understanding and support;
• Plans organizes and conducts the Public Affairs and Communications aspects of all JALLC hosted events including but not limited to press conferences Interviews media visits photo shots and video support coordinating with internal and external actors as appropriate;
• Coordinates with international and Host Nation organizations in Public Affairs and Protocol matters related to the JALLC;
• Act as advocate for Public Affairs doctrine staffing resourcing and issues regarding Public Affairs and Protocol within the headquarters and developing and implementing relevant Public
  Affairs and Protocol policies and procedures for the JALLC and providing staff level and Key Leader Training as required;
• Act as the JALLCs Protocol and Public Affairs representative in NATO attending relevant (VTC) meetings conferences and other events as appropriate to ensure the JALLCs activities are visible and represented;
• Plans drafts and disseminates communication/public affairs products subject to Direction & Guidance from COM JALLC and/or COS JALLC in support of the JALLC mission;
• Manage the content of the JALLC website and social media channels in coordination with the JALLCs Editor;
• Manages the content and design of JALLC internal publications;
• Plans and manages all VIP visits to JALLC and co-ordinates/provides protocol support to major conferences meetings and ceremonies in coordination with Support Branch;
• Provides expert specialized advice and information to JALLC personnel tasked with planning of major conferences visits of large groups and staff level visits;
• Provide Public Affair and Protocol advice and support to relevant COS Office administrative activities subject to Direction & Guidance from COS JALLC.

Essential Qualifications / Experience:

• University Degree in political science public administration international relations or related discipline and 4 years post related experience or Higher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training in that discipline leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 5 years post related and 2 years function related experience.
• Minimum 4 years experience in media and public relations at a high level involving public affairs;
• Minimum 4 years experience in the field of protocol and conference support;
• Detailed knowledge if international and Host Nation protocol standards;
• Must present a professional appearance interact well with others;
• Excellent organizational verbal and written communication skills;
• Basic graphic design experience required for designing and assembling online and physical displays;
• Knowledge of print and electronic media including still and motion media (photo/video).

Language:

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

Desirable Qualifications / Experience:

• Knowledge and experience of NATO;
• Knowledge and experience of military operations and exercises;
• Experience working with military personnel;
• Experience working in an international environment;
• Experience in StratCom and/or Communications at a NATO Command;
• Experience at Staff level in other HQ Joint Command or NATO HQ;
• Experience in a NATO Command or other multinational environment in Public Affairs and/or Protocol;
• Proficient working knowledge and use of Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative cloud programs.
• Portuguese 3322 (Listening Speaking Reading and writing).

Attributes/Competencies:

Personal Attributes:

The individual will need to display a high degree of professionalism tact and judgement throughout the performance of their duties. They will need to have good team work skills however also have the ability to work as an individual with little direction and guidance from superiors. Individual should be respectful and patient able to maintain professionalism while working with individuals with different skillsets and work practices. Capable of analytical strategic thought and adaptive communication. Creative problem solving able to take imaginative approaches to communication and protocol goals and provide development of new techniques products and channels to communicate. Good inter-personal and communication skills maturity poise tactfulness firmness and persuasion are needed in interaction with rest of JALLCs team. Adaptability is required due to the constantly changing nature of tasks and deadlines in a public affairs and protocol environment. Must be able to field difficult questions on delicate issues usually in a situation where significant time pressure exists. Frequently works under pressure works long/irregular hours carries high workload.

Professional Contacts:

Incumbent must be able to build professional relationships with individuals both inside and outside of the JALLC in order to increase the network of individuals interested in lessons learned activities (analysis training etc.). Individual should be respectful and patient able to maintain professionalism while working with individuals with different skillsets and work practices internally (Leadership and senior staff members and others as required) and externally (Media MoD Host Nation entities etc.).

Contribution To Objectives:

The work covers many similar and/or dissimilar tasks which require analysis and research skills related to multiple topics. Although clear guidance and standard rules/regulations are available ability to analyse and solve problems is needed to deal with specific issues. Performance of duties directly affects the objectives efficiency and image of the HQ.

Security Clearance

The successful applicant will be required to apply for and receive a NATO SECRET Security Clearance prior to final confirmation of contract and commencement of employment.

Contract

Serving NATO International Civilian staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations. Newly recruited staff will be offered a three year definite duration contract.

Notes for Candidates

The HQ SACT web site gives full details on the eligibility criteria and application processes to be adopted by all candidates. However candidates should particularly note:

Please answer each of the pre-screening questions completely in English. Expressions such as: please see attached CV please see annex please see enclosed document etc are not acceptable; this is a cause of immediate rejection of the application.

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.

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

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.

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.

This vacancy will close on 29 April 2026 @ 17:59hrs (EDT)/11:59hrs (CEST).