Staff Officer (Public Affairs)

Post Context/Post Summary
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 Communication Directorate advises the Commander and exercises the Commander’s authority to achieve the desired effects of communication and information activities. It is responsible for directing, monitoring, assessing and coordinating communications staff functions.

The StratCom Communications and Engagement Branch executes communications capabilities informed by integrated communications plans. It is led by the Chief Public Affairs Officer, who is the lead for internal and external communications, and maintains a direct advisory function to the Commander.
The incumbent is responsible for conducting public affairs activities in support of strategic communications. 

Principal Duties

• The incumbent is an expert in the field of public affairs and conducts media relations on behalf of JFCNF.
• Conducts Public Affairs duties to support internal and external communications.
• Develops and maintains relations with media, including traditional news media and influencers, in support of JFCNF operations. Oversees the conduct of media operations, including media planning, press briefings, media accreditation, response to queries, support to visiting journalists and support to regional NMICs.
• Integrates military public affairs into J10.
• Supports Allied Command Operations (ACO) StratCom objectives by developing communication plans, drafting themes, messages and narratives, and formulating engagement strategies.
• Provides JFCNF personnel with media training in support of operations. 
• Manages military public affairs response in response to crisis.
• Provides professional advice during exercises and training at the operational level. Write and review written products for print, video and web publication to support the HQs’ communication efforts, illustrating Command Group activities and operational commitments.
• Write analytical, strategic level articles combining geo-political events with strategic maritime efforts throughout the region.
• Adaptive problem solving to write operational level articles using interpretive, analytical and constructive thinking designed to inform audiences of JFCNF coordination in the maritime as well as cross-domain activities.
• Plans, prepares, edits and distributes public affairs products to increase awareness of and knowledge about NATO/JFCNF exercises and operations.
• Drafts and publishes internal communication products as required.
• Assists in the preparation of staff briefings.
• Liaison with NATO and national J10 Public Affairs community to ensure alignment of messaging efforts.
• Conducts interviews and background research in support of JFCNF communication efforts.
• Editor for JFCNF products for release.
• Attends daily operations meeting to maintain a high level of awareness of the activities of JFCNF and subordinate units.
• Develops and maintains relationships with editors from national operational commands and MOD internal publications and provide relevant content for publication through these channels.
• Develops and maintains relationships with NATO, EU, International Organizations and other non-governmental organizations to advance JFCNF operational level communication initiatives.
• Build, provide or present briefs to organizations outside Joint Force Command Norfolk.
• Submits observations in his/her area of expertise and contributes to the Lessons Learned process. 

  Essential Qualifications

• 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.
• Minimum 4 years’ experience in media and public relations at a high level.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Experience in designing and managing websites and social media channels.
• Knowledge of print and electronic media, including still and motion media. Language - English - SLP 4334 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

  Desirable Qualifications

• Experience in NATO or other multinational, maritime Public Affairs office/agency.
• Post-graduate Studies in international affairs, journalism or related field.
• Any additional European language

  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 solver able to take imaginative approaches to communication goals and provide development of new techniques and channels to communicate. Good inter-personal and communication skills, maturity, poise, tactfulness, firmness and persuasion are needed in interaction with rest of team. Adaptability is required due to the constantly changing nature of tasks and deadlines in a public affairs environment. Tact is required in dealing with interview subjects who may be nervous about being interviewed. 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 JFCNF in order to increase the network of individuals interested in NATO joint operational activities. Individual should be respectful and patient, able to maintain professionalism while working with individuals with different skillsets and work practices. Internally with all senior staff members, J10 Directorate members, Operations Directorate personnel and others as required. Externally with editors of national, MOD, NGO and other publications in which JFCNF may be able to place articles as well as with NATO Communications professionals throughout the enterprise. Establishes and maintains liaison with graphic design and print companies. Contribution To Objectives: Provides advice on public information issues with regards to mass communication. Maintains vital liaisons and plays a key role in maintaining the headquarters public image and in ensuring appropriate dissemination of information to civilian media and organizations. The articles interviews and other media products that they develop and disseminate will contribute towards achieving both NATO and JFCNF communications objectives as well as JFCNF operational effects. 

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 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 02 Nov 2025@ 17:59hrs (EDT)/11:59hrs (CEST).