Principal Staff Officer (Legal)

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 COS acts for the COM/DCOM on delegated matters and deputizes in their absence. Assists and advises the COM on policy and in the execution of assigned duties and responsibilities.

The Office of the Legal Advisor (LEGAD) provides legal advice, technical guidance and other assistance to the CG and staff to ensure HQ actions remain in compliance with all governing treaties, international agreements and applicable laws, NATO policy and guidance to fulfil all Alliance obligations.

The incumbent is responsible for providing timely legal support and advice to the Commander and staff in all relevant legal matters of domestic and international nature affecting the HQ's mission.

Principal Duties: 

• Under the supervision of the Legal Advisor and within the limits of delegated authority, the incumbent is responsible for the management and supervision of legal tasks related to issues of a non-operational nature.
• Handles matters involving issues of international, public, private and administrative law, to include interpretation and application of legislative and other instruments governing NATO activities and operations.
• Prepares legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions, which may include those related to administration and management, institutions support, procurement and contracts, peacetime and other operational matters, separately administered programmes and funds.
• Performs extensive legal research and analysis and prepares legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports and correspondence.
• Reviews and provides advice on and drafts contracts, agreements, institutional and administrative modalities and other legal documents; as necessary develop new legal modalities to meet unique needs/circumstances.
• Reviews and investigates reports and provides legal opinion to the Commander, Command Group and HQ on matters of conduct and discipline implementation or any breaches of the organisations rules and regulations.
• Participates in negotiations and settlement of claims and disputes.
• Represents or oversees litigation of the organisation at judicial, arbitral or administrative proceedings.
• Assessing and advising on alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Responsible for assessing how administrative and judicial decisions may impact NATO interests and advises NATO leadership when to challenge those decisions and seeks a judicial ruling to protect NATO's interests.
• Serves on various standing boards and committees of the organisation including contracts committees, property management and claims review boards.
• Interaction with the Host Nation on matters relating to the agreements on status, privileges and immunities of the organisation; anticipates changes in the Host Nation and EU legislation or juris prudence and plans a response as necessary.
• Liaises with other NATO offices and entities in the provision of legal guidance and advice.
• Provides legal support to Civilian Personnel Branch.
• Develops legal policy to be incorporated into NATO directives.
• Undertakes, when assigned, duties in connection with international and administrative law in support of operations.
• Manages and supervises the position and task of the Legal Staff Assistant.
• Acts as the Legal Advisor in the absence of the incumbent in the area of issues of non-operational legal nature.
• Legal accountability for contracts.

Essential Qualifications / Experience:

• University Degree  in law or related discipline  and 6 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 6 years post related and 2 years function related experience.
• Minimum of six years of professional experience commensurate with the duties of the position, including government/international legal staff experience. Legal experience must include some background in administrative, personnel, and international law.
• Minimum of three years’ experience drafting, negotiating and concluding international agreements with national military and/or government representatives.
• Experience in resolving personnel grievances in a large organization.
• Polished, persuasive communicator, orally and in writing in English, with strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated capacity to work independently, exercise initiative, and make appropriate decision under conditions of uncertainty and stress.
• Proven ability to work independently on issues involving political and personnel sensitivity.
• Graduate of a recognised university/college located in a NATO nation with a university degree in law.

Language:

English - SLP 4343 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

Desirable Qualifications / Experience:

• Previous experience in a NATO legal office dealing with international law issues, including international agreements, host-nation rights and responsibilities, and the status of international military headquarters.
• Former military legal training/experience and knowledge of military command structures and organization.
• Experience in dispute resolution, disciplinary processes, administrative inquiries and appeals, and litigation.
• Experience as an instructor/facilitator of NATO courses, seminars, and/or exercises.

Attributes/Competencies:

Personal Attributes: The incumbent needs to have strong written and oral communication and analytical skills. Flexible mind, and the ability to grasp complex areas of law rapidly and accurately. Problem-solving creativity and judgment under stressful conditions and in the numerous instances when precedents are unavailable or inappropriate. Ability to work harmoniously in a multinational environment, while representing and projecting JFCNF positions in a firm but tactful manner.  Willingness to travel in support of the listed duties.

Professional Contacts: Within NATO, most frequent contacts with the Heads of NATO bodies in the host nation, the ACO Legal Advisor and JFCNF Command Group. The incumbent is required to entertain professional contacts at high level inside and outside the headquarters. Typically interacts with host nation courts and attorneys. Keeps contact with other international Organisations, to determine a common strategy to obtain the best possible conditions tor the international organisations in the Host Nation. Participates as a key player in various NATO related boards.

Contribution To Objectives: The post provides legal guidance that supports the decision making process of the NATO authorities.  The incumbent must be creative in order to support, as far as possible the desired action. The incumbent must analyze and develop the legal arguments that help the Commander and staff to reach the desired result. Additionally, the incumbent has the personal responsibility to face the test of the judicial system and defend Commanders' actions in court. In many cases, international agreements subject NATO to host nation laws. In uncertain cases, as a minimum, the incumbent must be able to provide realistic predictions on the outcome of an action, in case it is challenged in court.  By establishing the legal principles on fiscal, contracting, personnel procedures the incumbent obligates or frees the Organization's limited resources. As the responsible individual for Court actions, his / her decisions and defence strategy during Court proceedings impact significantly on the objectives and finances of the headquarters.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervises civilian staff in the Office of the Legal Advisor.

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 5 September 2025 @ 17:59hrs (EDT)/11:59hrs (CEST).