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 supervision and administration of the Command legal assistance/personal transition support program. Primary command link for interacting with U.S. Federal, State, and municipal authorities on host nation regulations and policies that affect the multinational staff at JFCNF and National Support Elements (NSE).

Principal Duties:

• Serving as lead HQ liaison/consultant to all U.S. Federal and State agencies on all issues related to non-U.S. nationals, such as immigration, rental agreements, driving license, legal presence, visa, customs, and related laws, regulations and policies; and preparing correspondence for JFCNF COM, DCOM, Chief of Staff and Legal Advisor signature.
• Drafting legal memoranda and point papers to summarize issues and impact on JFNCF, NATO and PFP staff members, and dependents, presenting and recommending proposed action to U.S. Federal and State agencies.
• Analyzing and tracking legislation on matters of interest to JFCNF and related NATO staff, and their dependents; assessing impact of existing international agreements on such legislation; and tracking treaty actions/ratifications of international agreements of interest to this HQ.
• Coordinating the NATO employment authorization document (EAD) program for eligible NATO dependents at JFCNF and serve as NATO liaison between U.S. Department of State and nations in the negotiation of bilateral work agreements.
• Monitoring potential changes in Federal regulations and effect on the NATO EAD program; coordinating with U.S. Departments of State, Defense and Homeland Security (to include U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS)) regarding the applicability of bilateral agreements and de-facto arrangements for NATO dependents; seeking exceptions to Federal regulations from USCIS for certain EAD applicants as required.
• Administering the legal assistance/personal transition support program for JFCNF and affiliated staff in the United States (in consultation with Legal Advisor), to include:
• Providing legal services to all JFCNF staff, including preparation or review of affidavits, subpoenas, leases, powers of attorney, court documents and other documentation from any U.S. Federal or State jurisdiction; assisting in resolution of consumer issues; facilitate transition process of relocating to or departing from the United States; and providing notary services to acknowledge signatures and certify and authenticate documents.
• Preparing and providing initial briefings to all JFCNF and NSE staff on joining the HQ and provide continuous service throughout their tours, including through departure, on a myriad of issues including legal, medical, consumer and general transition issues.
• Analyzing legal issues and conducting research of U.S. Federal and State regulations and laws, case law, and other relevant legal materials including formulating appropriate queries for computerized legal databases (e.g. Westlaw/Lexis) and providing written and verbal briefing solutions.
• Preparing and presenting Command briefings regarding changes in domestic policy; prepare and present briefings at U.S. and international symposia and other significant events. Briefs COS and above on all these issues.
• Creating and exercising ongoing executive responsibility for updating contents of both Legal Affairs’ electronic web sites and printed Transition and Support Guides for NATO Personnel.
• Serving as main liaison with military treatment facilities (MTFs) and U.S. Department of Defense and as lead HQ consultant to JFCNF and NSE staff with respect to issues relating to eligibility for medical care at MTFs, Tricare Standard, resolution of billing issues for inpatient care between MTF and embassies, reciprocal health care agreements, supplemental health insurance, and other related issues. Coordinate initial discussions between the United States and Sending Nations regarding the feasibility of reciprocal health care agreements.
• Performing research and preparing briefs on U.S. governmental instructions and directives and evaluate effect on NATO policy; review NATO instructions and directives; research issues involving employment, international, environmental, contract, labor, and administrative laws related to Legal Office projects.
• Preparing original correspondence as necessary for Chief of Staff and above and Legal Advisor signature to support all functions previously listed.
• Managing major cyclic functions within the Office of Legal Advisor, including duties as budget officer, facilities manager, and serve as main POC for all HQ administrative work assigned to the Legal Office.
• Authorized to make decisions within assigned functional area. Such decisions should be also coordinated within the HQ and with the same functional area in lateral, subordinate and superior HQs. Such decisions will affect the commitment of the command within NATO to a course of action. Authority to task and intervene to adjust the day-to-day work priorities of the assigned.

Essential Qualifications / Experience:

• University Degree and 2 years function related experience, or Higher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 4 years post related experience.
• At least two years’ experience at a large international organization, national military equivalent, or in a private or public legal office working with host nation laws and implementing regulations affecting quality of life for clients, staff, international staff or non-U.S. nationals.
• Proven knowledge of legal research techniques, including familiarity with computerized databases, such as Lexis and all standard programmes.
• Proven ability to draft legal memoranda to summarize issues and suggest recommendations to Command or legislative agency and to brief in written and verbal format.
• Eligibility for certification as a Notary Public for Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Graduate of a recognized university located in a NATO nation with a university degree in law.

Language:

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

Desirable Qualifications / Experience:

• Juris doctorate, or national equivalent.
• Active member in good standing of a (US) State bar.

Attributes/Competencies:

Personal Attributes: The incumbent must possess the ability to develop creative solutions, exercise discretion and excellent judgment, maintain client confidentiality, work harmoniously in a multi-national environment, travel as required, be able to work outside normal working hours, and handle stress of multiple duties in a fast-paced environment. Must also be able to brief well on paper and verbally.

Professional Contacts: The person must be able to liaise effectively, both internally with all NATO military and civilian personnel, as well as externally with U.S. Federal and State policy authorities. This individual interacts frequently with, and is often consulted by, U.S. Federal authorities at the policy levels of U.S. Departments of State, Defense and State (particularly US Citizenship and Immigration Services and Customs and Border Protection), Social Security Administration, as well as at the State and local agencies including the Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Insurance, Department of Taxation, and Commissioners of the Revenue, representing the HQ and its staff members’ rights pursuant to international agreements, and serving on committees, citizens advisory panels and task forces advocating the Command position and suggesting policy and legislative changes to ensure protection of existing rights and expansion of privileges, as appropriate.

Contribution To Objectives: This individual is responsible to provide research and drafting support to the Legal Advisor and advise leadership regarding host nation support issues that affect international staff members, as well as supervising and administering the legal assistance/personal transition support program. The constantly changing and evolving U.S. Federal and State regulations and laws require this individual to monitor proposed changes and attempt to influence these changes before they become legislative requirements. The support that is provided through the legal assistance/personal transition support program has a direct effect on the quality of life for non-U.S. staff members and the time they spend conducting personal business, which directly influences staff productivity.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Directs and supervises the work priorities of the Legal Support Staff Assistant, providing professional guidance and instruction. Duties include leading and coaching; explaining or demonstrating work functions; counselling and motivating, assigning and reviewing work; ensuring health and environmental safety; maintaining and adjusting work schedules; assessing performance and initiating disciplinary action, and/or implementing new or changed work procedures.

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 G15 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).