Staff Officer (Political Affairs)

Post Context

Headquarters Allied Joint Force Command Norfolk (JFCNF) provides a resilient, static Joint headquarters to plan, prepare and conduct operations across all domains in peacetime, crisis and conflict, in order to support NATO’s three core tasks, at the Joint Operational level, as directed by SACEUR.

The Command Group (CG) principals consist of the Commander (COM), Deputy Commander (DCOM) and Chief of Staff (COS). The Command Group provides and sustains operational level Joint command and control capabilities at the designated readiness states, so the COM can conduct the full range of assigned military operations throughout the assigned NATO Area of Responsibility (AOR) and beyond.

The Office of the Commander (OCOM) is responsible to SACEUR for contributing to the deterrence of aggression against NATO. The COM is to preserve the peace, security and territorial integrity of Alliance member states throughout the assigned Area of Responsibility (AOR).

The Office of the Political Advisor (POLAD) is the principle link of the Commander to the civilian/political authorities of NATO, governments of member, partner and other nations, to International Organizations and other relevant Agencies as part of a Comprehensive Approach.

The incumbent assists and supports the Political Advisor in the provision of advice to the Commander, and Command Group and supports the Staff upon request and within means.

Principal Duties:

• Serves as an  OPOLAD Staff Officer responsible for providing, collecting, analyzing and reporting on political developments and international affairs in the HQ Area of Responsibility (AOR) and Area of Interest (AOI) and the implications of these developments on HQ planning and operations.
• Conducts analysis of issues of political significance to HQ.
• Produces point papers, back-ground papers and briefings before any political visit to/by HQ COM.
• Maintains contact with respective OPOLAD and International Affairs Directorates, the NATO HQ International Staff (IS) and the International Military Staff (IMS), SHAPE and with Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
• Ensures information on POLAD matters is provided to JFCNF-Staff, externally to SHAPE International Affairs and to Subordinate/sister HQs.
• Provides diplomatic, politico-military information, analysis and advice.
• Establishes and maintains situational awareness on diplomatic and politico-military issues of ongoing NATO operations.
• Evaluates military operations planned or contemplated by the HQ and advises COM on the political and diplomatic ramifications of those operations.
• Collects and analyses information on politico-military issues in the HQ Area of functional responsibility.
• Establishes efficient coordination mechanisms with NATO POLADs.
• Reviews and comments on drafts of COM speeches, media briefs, and position papers for public dissemination.
• Represents the HQ at international meetings and conferences as directed by POLAD.
• Contributes to professional conferences, seminars and other events and speak to represent and enhance the reputation of JFCNF.
• Acts as the Deputy for the Political Advisor as required.

Essential Qualifications / Experience:

• Masters Degree or equivalent   in political science, public administration, international relations or related discipline  and 4 years post related experience.
• Minimum of 10 years practical experience in the field of diplomacy and/or international affairs with an emphasis on politico-military matters.
• Experience working within international/multi-national organizations, such as NATO, the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), or the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
• Previous political analytical experience.
• Extensive experience in providing high-level political, policy and strategic advice, including a proven track record of success and progressive responsibility in such a role.
• Full understanding of transatlantic political and military relations and issues.
• Detailed knowledge of NATO policies, priorities, and campaigns especially in crisis and post-conflict situations.
• Ability to synthesize data, develop recommendations, influence partners and report on status recommendations.
• Skilled writer/editor of advisory texts at Senior military management level.
• Strong written and verbal communication and advocacy skills and a proven ability to work in an environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple factors.
• Proven experience in advising senior management and interacting with senior government officials.
• Negotiating in multi-national/ multi-cultural settings.

Language - English - SLP 3333 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

Desirable Qualifications / Experience:

• Knowledge of Northern European and Atlantic political developments and policymaking.
• Writing of diplomatic correspondence.
• Experience working in a military HQ/Organization at Command Group level.
• Experience working in NATO.
• Demonstrated experience with coordination with Governmental Agencies, IOs and NGO’s.
• International Relations, International Public Law, History, Political Science, Diplomacy.

Personal Attributes: The incumbent must display analytical thought and demonstrate independent judgement in the development of policy and strategies for the JFC, in fields of strategic-political-military interest and concern. He/she must be able to provide high-level advice and briefings to a senior level on key strategic-political-military issues, to serve in the formulation of Command policy. Diplomacy and tact are essential in interacting with high-level officials in a multi-national environment. The incumbent must have strong communication skills, both oral and written. Listening and persuasiveness are crucial to the incumbent's effective participation in policy and planning initiatives, in advising the Command Group, in coordinating policy matters internally and with other agencies and government staffs. Problem analysis skills and critical thinking underlie the incumbent's contribution to the development of effective strategies and formulation of policy in his/her own area of competence.

Managerial Responsibilities: Assist with the leadership and management of the POLAD Office, encourages HQ staff to enlarge knowledge and experience in the field of political advice.

Professional Contacts: Maintains personal contacts, on behalf of COM, with a wide range of related international bodies, including the EU, OSCE, UN, UNHCR, OCHA, ICRC, NATO Parliamentary Assembly, and leading think-tanks. The post holder is required to build an international network of foreign policy experts in order to expand the understanding and awareness of OPOLAD and the HQ staff. The post is required to participate in professional conferences, seminars and other events and be able to speak to represent and enhance the reputation of JFCNF. This post will work with academia and other policy professionals to share ideas and to draw-upon best-practice from across the diplomatic and policy realms, this will inform the planning and execution of operations. The ability to work on other foreign policy issues as required in support of JFCNF tasking.  This is required as it is a vital task of OPOLAD and is an invaluable tool to identify and confirm the more subtle indicators and warnings that are often first identified in academia.

Contribution To Objectives: A senior analyst who can advise staff, in order to add political, diplomatic and academic rigour to complement the military experience of other OPOLAD members all of whom are senior and experienced military officers, and to apportion the effort to deliver prioritised outputs, often under pressure and to support JFCNF HQ staff work. Postholder works to improve HQ coherence of effort, resolving the noted deficiencies in the synchronization of lethal and non-lethal effects in execution. Additional civilian and/or military policy experience would compliment and round out experience in JFCNF OPOLAD.

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 JFC Norfolk Career 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 G20 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 NATO’s 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 XX XXXX 2025@ 17:59hrs (EDT)/11:59hrs (CEST).