OFFICER
POLITICAL AFFAIRS AND SECURITY POLICY DIVISION
MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA SECTION
POLITICAL AFFAIRS AND SECURITY POLICY DIVISION
MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA SECTION
(Grade A.3)
LOCATION:
NATO Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium
1. SUMMARY
The Political Affairs and Security Policy (PASP) Division leads on the political aspects of NATO’s core tasks and is the International Staff’s (IS) hub for partnerships. Within the Division, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Section is responsible for relations with countries in the Middle East and North Africa, especially with those participating in the Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) and the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI).
Under the direction of the Head, MENA Section, the incumbent will have primary responsibility for providing analysis and policy papers on the political situation and regional dynamics across the MENA region and across the MD and ICI frameworks. The incumbent will also contribute to the development and implementation of NATO’s policies of dialogue and cooperation, including programme management work, with MD, ICI and other partner countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL
The incumbent must:
- possess a university or equivalent degree, preferably in political science, international relations, or another relevant discipline;
- have at least three years’ experience in working on foreign/security/defence affairs for an International Organisation, national administration or Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO);
- have a very good understanding of countries in the Middle East and North Africa, especially those participating in the MD and ICI, and issues affecting them;
- have excellent analytical and drafting skills in one of the two official NATO languages;
- possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; IV (“Upper Intermediate”) in the other;
- have a very good knowledge of oral and written Modern Standard Arabic (MSA).
DESIRABLE
The following would be considered an advantage:
- experience of work in/with MD and ICI countries;
- experience in working with diplomatic missions and government agencies.
3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES
Expertise Development
Follow political and security developments in MD, ICI and other countries in the broader Middle East and North Africa. Develop background notes, conduct analyses, write reports and briefing papers.
Policy Development
Based on subject-matter expertise, help develop and implement policies related to MD, ICI and other partner countries in the broader Middle East and North Africa by providing advice to nations and senior officials, and by developing cooperation initiatives.
Project Management
Contribute to the development of, and manage cooperation programmes in the framework of, MD, ICI and other partner countries in the broader Middle East and North Africa.
Stakeholder Management
Collaborate with national delegations, NATO civilian and military agencies and other institutions - governmental and NGOs, concerned with issues within Integration, Partnerships and Cooperation Directorate (IPCD)’s area of competence.
Representation of the Organization
Represent, as appropriate, the Alliance at conferences and other activities on issues related to MD, ICI and other partner countries in the broader Middle East and North Africa. Help enhance NATO’s public diplomacy and information efforts on these issues.
Perform any other related duty as assigned.
4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS
The incumbent reports to the Head, MENA Section and through him/her to the Senior Director Integration, Partnerships and Cooperation Directorate (IPCD). He/she will work closely with other Sections within the PASP Division, and with other Divisions in the IS, with the NATO Military Authorities and with national and partner Delegations.
Direct reports: N/a
Indirect reports: N/a.
5. COMPETENCIES
The incumbent must demonstrate:
- Achievement;
- Analytical Thinking;
- Change Leadership;
- Impact and Influence;
- Initiative;
- Organisational Awareness;
- Teamwork.
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 Organisation's 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 Organisation's 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 3-year period. 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 NATO’s 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 Regulations.
7. HOW TO APPLY:
Applications must be submitted using one of the following links, as applicable:
- For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal (for more information, please contact your local Civilian HR Manager);
- For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment
VACANCY REFERENCE: 160192
Please note that, in this competition, we will also look to recruit an Officer in the same Section, at the A.2/A.3 grade level:
INFORMATION ON THE GRADE A.2/A.3 OFFICER POST:
Under the direction of the Head, MENA Section, the incumbent will contribute to the development and implementation of NATO’s policies and programmes related to dialogue and cooperation with MD, ICI and other partner countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Within this framework, the main functions of the Officer will include: assisting in the drafting of a wide range of documents and briefing material for the Secretary General and other senior NATO officials; assisting in the drafting of reports and documents for NATO Committees: drafting documents for public use, including for the NATO website; and representing PASP as necessary, within and outside NATO: being responsible for project management of public diplomacy projects involving opinion leaders, academics and the media from MD, ICI and other MENA region countries. He/she will liaise with representatives of nations, other NATO units, International Organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), think tanks and academic institutions.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Due to the broad interest in NATO and the large number of potential candidates, telephone or e-mail enquiries cannot be dealt with.
Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate) and approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser.
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.
Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries.
NATO as an employer values diverse backgrounds and perspectives and is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and talented workforce. NATO welcomes applications of nationals from all Member States and strongly encourages women to apply.
Please note that the International Staff at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium is a non-smoking environment.
