Middle East and African Partnerships Officer
🔍 Belgium
OPEN TO NATIONALS OF NATO MEMBER STATES ONLY
STAFF VACANCY 250639
DIVISION: International Military Staff
Cooperative Security Division
Military Cooperation Branch
South Section
TITLE: Middle East and Africa Partnerships Officer
GRADE: A3 (G-17)
Please note that the competition for this post will take place in Brussels and is provisionally scheduled for the last trimester of 2025.
1. Post Context.
The Middle East and African Partnerships Officer, will act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the Military Cooperation Branch (MCB) Section South of the Cooperative Security Division (CS) providing staff support for NATO political and military committees and meetings, as required, on NATO military relations and cooperation with selected partner and non-partner nations with a focus on the Middle East and Africa. This group of nations includes, but not exclusively: Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Algeria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE and Iraq. This is nominally referred to as the MCB, SOUTH Section.
As a SME in the Section, the incumbent’s duties will directly support the Key-Requirement Area of ‘Readiness’, specifically in increasing training and capacity building for partners in the Middle East and Africa, in line with the NATO 2030 Agenda and NATO’s Southern Neighbourhood Action Plan. The SME will support the IMS’s liaison and engagement with NATO Partners in the region, focusing on NATO objectives in Military Cooperation and Capacity Building.
2. Principal Duties:
Acting as a SME, the incumbent’s duties will directly enhance NATO’s ability to deliver training, exercising and capacity building for partners in the Middle East and Africa, in line with the NATO 2030 Agenda and NATO’s Southern Neighbourhood Action Plan. To this end, s/he will:
a. Support the transition from Phase 1 of the Strengthening Capacity Building (CB) support to Partners to Phase 2, with a focus on MENA Partners.
b. Ensure that future CB activities for MENA Partners are complementary to existing policy documents, initiatives, and projects.
c. Support improving current procedures and number of activities to aid in the deliverance of existing capacity support commitment to MENA Partners.
d. Improvement of existing partnership cooperation tools and development and implementation of new ones.
e. Contribute to assessments of progress in military cooperation with MENA Partners and assist in the development and implementation of future cooperation activities.
f. Develop and participate in policy and planning activities related to military relations and cooperation with MENA Partners.
g. Alignment of Partner’s Individually Tailored Partnership Programmes (ITPPs) with Capacity Building Initiatives for selected countries, and drafting military direction and guidance, as required.
h. Establish links and help develop practical cooperation mechanisms for NATO’s additional capacity development with Partners in the region.
i. Monitor and analyse political, military and security developments in countries/regions of assignment and provide advice (in both written and oral format) to senior leadership.
j. Strengthening engagement with existing and potential new interlocutors in the region.
k. Develop and maintain a network of contacts within NATO, including other parts of the NATO Command Structure and the International Staff. As well as outside the Alliance with Partners and other interlocutors in the region.
l. Assist appropriate NATO committees in the development and preparation of documents dealing with the Alliance’s military partnerships in the region and its implementation.
m. Preparation of policy papers on military cooperation issues, background briefs, speaking notes, food-for-thought-papers, and scene setters, coordinating with other IMS divisions, the International Staff, SHAPE PD and other entities in the NATO Command Structure.
n. Assisting and coordinating military visits from relevant Partner, non-Partner Nations, and other stakeholders, as directed.
o. Developing and implementing improved coordination measures with the International Staff through Country Teams, as required.
p. Cooperate with other Staff Officers in the section, ensuring effective back-up as required.
q. Carry out other related tasks as required.
3. Special Requirements and Additional Duties
· The employee may be required to perform a similar range of duties else wherein the organization at the same grade without there being any change in the contract.
· The incumbent may be required to undertake TDY assignments both within and without NATO’s boundaries and be willing to work unsocial hours.
· The work is normally performed in a normal NATO office working environment.
· Normal Working Conditions apply.
4. Essential Qualifications.
Professional/Experience.
· At least three years’ work experience relevant to this position.
· Be conversant in the Alliance’s political and military consultative processes and key defence and security policies issues in its agenda.
· Knowledge of the geography and politics of the MENA and Sahel region.
· Understanding of the civil and military structure of the Alliance, particularly the responsibilities and roles of NATO civil and military bodies.
· Capacity to relate to and work with the military.
· Knowledge of NATO institutional framework and procedures, including NATO Partnership policies, especially in the area of capacity building.
· Previous experience in a multilateral environment or an environment with a variety of stakeholders from multi-cultural backgrounds.
· Have excellent drafting and communication skills and previous experience working in a dynamic environment with diverse stakeholders.
· Capacity to work and communicate under time constraints in an international diplomatic and multilingual environment. Intercultural sensitivity skills are required.
· Have the ability to work in a team, to coordinate and communicate efficiently.
· Demonstrated proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Tools Suite and collaborative software.
· Ability to cope with short deadlines and periods of pressure, and to adapt to evolving regional dynamics.
Education/Training.
The incumbent must have a university degree or equivalent qualification at least to ISCED level 7, from an institute of recognized standing. The degree should be in International Relations, Middle East Studies, Security Studies, Political Sciences, or other relevant fields.
An advanced level of spoken and written English as well as an elementary level of French are required for this post. Candidates will be required to pass a one-hour multiple-choice computer-based test in both languages at the required level. A higher level in either language will be an asset.
Computer Literacy.
Use of MS-Office applications in crucial to the effective and successful execution of daily duties. Advanced user experience with Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.
5. Desirable Qualifications.
Professional/Experience.
· Previous experience in cooperation and multi-national environments is particularly desirable.
· Familiarity with the interrelationships between NATO HQ, the NATO Strategic Commands, the Operational Level Commands, the Tactical Level Commands and Partner Nations.
· Ability to interface, coordinate and discuss policy and cooperation issues with senior officials.
· Previous experience working with Partners in MENA region.
· Good organizational skills and a strong sense of prioritization.
· Knowledge of other areas that might be of interest for Partners in the region.
· Have a solid analytical capacity, rapid grasp of problems and capacity to identify issues and solutions.
Education/Training.
· Master degree related to MENA, Africa
· NATO Military Partnerships Course
Languages.
· French (SLP 3333)
· Arabic, Arabic Dialects (SLP 2222)
· Additional languages spoken in the region would be an additional asset.
6. Personal Attributes.
· Works under broad discretion as work is often self-initiated.
· Understands the relationship between own specialism and wider organizational requirements.
· Advises on the available policies, methods, tools and applications relevant to own specialism and can make appropriate choices from alternatives.
· Facilitates collaboration between stakeholders who have diverse objectives.
· Demonstrates clarity and accuracy and an ability to check own work.
· Demonstrates a Customer Servicer Orientation.
· Takes personal responsibility for correcting problems.
· Shows Empathy and Listens actively.
· Acts with flexibility.
· Takes Initiative in a time-sensitive situation.
· Understands the Organisation’s structure.
· Demonstrates creativity, innovation, and ethical thinking in applying solutions for the benefit of the customer/organisation
· Is fully responsible for meeting allocated technical and/or project objectives.
· Establishes milestones and has a significant role in the assignment of tasks and/or responsibilities.
· Undertakes work which requires the application of fundamental principles in a wide and often unpredictable range of contexts.
Candidates must demonstrate the following competencies:
· Analytical thinking: Sees multiple relationships
· Flexibility: Adapts to unforeseen situations
· Impact and influence: Takes multiple actions to persuade
· Initiative: is decisive in a time-sensitive situation
· Organizational Awareness: Understands organizational climate and culture
· Teamwork: Cooperates
7. Professional Contacts.
The incumbent maintains regular staff level contact within NATO HQ, NATO Strategic Commands and partner capitals. Influences organization, partners and peers on the contribution of own specialism. Builds appropriate and effective business relationships.
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8. Contribution to the Objectives.
Makes decisions which impact the success of assigned work. Performs an extensive range and variety of complex technical and/or professional work activities
9. Remarks.
· Security Clearance – NATO SECRET (if not currently held, the incumbent must be eligible for this level of clearance).
· Work Environment – Normal office environment.
10. How to apply.
Applications must be submitted by 14 September 2025 (23:59 Brussels time) 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
Applications are automatically acknowledged within one working day after submission. In the absence of an acknowledgement, please make sure the submission process is completed, or, resubmit the application.
11. Additional Information.
Duration of contract: The successful candidate will fill this post as a Project Linked NATO International Civilian (PLN) with a three-year definite duration contract within the NATO 2030 Agenda. On expiry of this term the PLN will be deleted or absorbed into the ceiling pending approval or will exceptionally be considered for extension.
Appointment will be subject to the deliverance of the appropriate security clearance by the national authorities and approval of the medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser.
A written test will be held as part of the selection procedure.
Applicants who meet the necessary requirements and who prove to be competent for the post but who are not successful in this particular competition, may be considered for posts of a similar nature, albeit at a lower grade, which may become vacant in the near future.
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.
Building Integrity is a key element of NATO’s core tasks. As an employer, NATO values commitment to the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability in accordance with international norms and practices established for the defence and related security sector.
Selected candidates are expected to be role models of integrity, and to promote good governance through ongoing efforts in their work.
Due to the broad interest in NATO and the large number of potential candidates, telephone or e-mail enquiries cannot be dealt with.
The nature of this position may require the staff member at times to be called upon to travel for work and/or to work outside normal office hours.
The IMS at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, is committed to providing equality in working opportunities regardless of sex, race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, age or sexual orientation.
The IMS is a non-smoking environment.