JOB DESCRIPTION

The publication of this call for interest is organised as a fast track competition open to candidates who already hold a valid NATO personnel security clearance or a valid personnel security clearance (PSC) at the appropriate level issued by the candidate’s parent National Security Authority (NSA) / Designated Security Authority (DSA) or any other competent security authority: this may include NATO International Civilians, temporary staff, consultants, contractors, interns, Voluntary National Contributions (VNCs) and members of Allied National administrations.

1. SUMMARY

The Political Affairs and Security Policy (PASP) Division leads on the political aspects of NATO’s core tasks and is the International Staff’s (IS) political hub for partnerships.

Within PASP, the Policy East Section is responsible for the development and implementation of political guidance related to NATO relations with Ukraine, Belarus, Republic of Moldova, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The Section also guides the work of the NATO Representation in Kyiv, Ukraine and the NATO Liaison Office in Chisinau, Moldova.

Under the direction of the Head of Policy East, the Head of NLO Moldova is responsible for the development of the NATO-Moldova relationship, including political dialogue, practical cooperation, and public engagement in the context of the NATO-Moldova partnership. The incumbent is also responsible for the management of all aspects of the functioning of the NLO, including international and local staff, NLO facilities, security of facilities and personnel, and the budget in accordance with NATO financial procedures. The Head of NLO Moldova directs the provision of coordinated advice to HQ, advises the Moldovan authorities and other relevant interlocutors, advances mutually agreed areas of cooperation and engagement, performs representational functions, and communicates as appropriate on NATO’s behalf.

2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL
The incumbent must:

• possess a University degree from an institute of recognised standing in the field of political science, international relations, security studies, or another relevant discipline;
• have at least 8 years of relevant experience in progressively responsible positions;
• demonstrate proven experience leading diverse and multidisciplinary teams;
• demonstrate proven experience in the management of administrative issues, security, human resources, procurement, and budget.
• have excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing, and be able to draft clearly and concisely in at least one of NATO’s official languages (English /French);
• demonstrate sound political judgment and strong analytical skills;
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other.

DESIRABLE
The following would be considered an advantage:

• a Master’s degree from an institute of recognised standing, preferably in the field of political science, international relations, security studies, or another relevant discipline;
• have a good understanding of regional security issues;
• previous experience in posts requiring public speaking and media engagement skills;

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Project Management
In coordination with NATO HQ, support the development and implementation of the NATO-Moldova partnership goals and objectives, including partnership programmes and activities. Oversee the delivery and assume overall responsibility for an array of programmes and projects that reform in the security and defence sector. Assess risk and propose mitigation strategies. Maintain accountability of NLO property. Plan and manage office space utilization. Supervise physical security requirements of the NLO in coordination with the NATO Office of Security (NOS), and maintain awareness of potential threats to NLO personnel.

People Management
Develop, communicate and implement a vision for the NLO Moldova and its mission as it relates to the NATO-Moldova relationship. Support the team around common objectives, ensuring that vision guides its mid- and long-term programme of work. Act as a role model of inclusive leadership and promote resilience, flexibility, and innovation. Lead and oversee a team of international and local staff, promoting integrity, professionalism and accountability through a sound and inclusive leadership culture, and ensuring the proper management and coherent tasking of human resources. Supervise the work of staff, including Allied Voluntary National Contributions and locally engaged staff, in accordance with NATO-wide standards and the PASP Standing Operating Procedures. Adhere to sound and inclusive management principles, and provide mentoring, coaching, and training opportunities, as well as regular feedback on performance.

Policy Development
Provide policy advice and oversee policy implementation related to the NATO-Moldova partnership and regional security. Manage NLO staff in providing advice and assistance to Moldova on reforms, cooperation programmes, and partnership activities across various disciplines. Build strong liaison relationships with Moldovan interlocutors, with Allied representations, and with international organizations present in or working on Moldova.

Planning and Execution
Plan, execute, and participate in public diplomacy events on behalf of NATO. Manage the NLO relationship with local media outlets and with civil society to explain NATO’s role and policies. Provide media interviews related to NATO partnership activities as required in coordination with the NATO Press Office and other relevant stakeholders in NATO HQ.

Expertise Development
Advise senior NATO officials and staff on all range of issues relevant to the NATO-Moldova partnership, including political, practical cooperation, reforms, areas of support, strategic communication, and public engagement. Briefings relevant committees at NATO HQ.

Financial Management
Plan and manage the execution of the NATO Liaison Office budget in accordance with NATO’s financial procedures. Act as NATO’s contracting officer in Moldova responsible for local supervision and signature authority on local contracts for the NLO and other programmes as required, in coordination with the PASP Budget Officer and the Office of Financial Control. Supervise banking transactions, contracting, and payment processes for operational and organizational expenditures. Supervise the bookkeeping process and the creation and submission of monthly budget reports to NATO HQ. Produce annual and semi-annual budget projections. Coordinate with the Office of Financial Control to ensure accountability and compliance with NATO financial regulations.

Stakeholder Management
Act as the head of a diplomatically accredited representation in Moldova. Oversee the delivery and assume overall responsibility for a complex array or programmes and projects that support Moldova’s efforts to reform its security and defence sector, including engaging the media to explain NATO’s role and policies. Represent NATO during official events, publicly, and in and in engagements with officials and civil society organizations.

Knowledge Management
Lead efforts to monitor and analyse political, security, and other relevant developments in Moldova and the broader region. Advise NATO HQ on their implications for Alliance policies. Facilitate information-sharing, with discretion, with a view to transferring knowledge across PASP and with key external interlocutors. Ensure that knowledge is maintained and available.

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The Head, NLO Moldova reports to the Head of Policy East section in the Political Affairs and Security Policy Division. The incumbent leads a diverse staff of both IS and locally engaged staff.
Direct reports: 4
Indirect reports: 14

5. COMPETENCIES
The incumbent must demonstrate:

• Achievement: Creates own measures of excellence and improves performance;
• Analytical Thinking: Sees multiple relationships;
• Clarity and Accuracy: Monitors others’ work for clarity;
• Conceptual Thinking: Applies learned concepts;
• Customer Service Orientation: Makes things better for the customer, addressing underlying customer needs;
• Impact and Influence: Uses indirect influence;
• Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation;
• Teamwork: Solicits input and encourages others.

6. CONTRACT

Contract to be offered to the successful applicant (if non-seconded): Definite duration contract of 3 years; possibility of renewal for up to 3 years.

Contract clause applicable:

As employment in this post is required for a limited period, the successful applicant will be offered a definite duration contract of 3 years’ duration, which, if required, may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years.

If the successful applicant is seconded from the national administration of one of NATO’s member States, a 3 years definite duration contract will be offered, which may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years if required, and subject also to the agreement of the national authority concerned.

Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Régulations.

7. USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries. Applications must be submitted using e-recruitment system, as applicable:

• For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal ();
• For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment

Before you apply to any position, we encourage you to click here and watch our video providing 6 tips to prepare you for your application and recruitment process.

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Please note that the competition for this post is provisionally scheduled as follows:
Final selection: beginning of November 2025 – Online written test and interviews.
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Do you have questions on the application process in the system and not sure how to proceed? Click here for a video containing the information you need to successfully submit your application on time.

More information about the recruitment process and conditions of employment, can be found at our website (http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/recruit-hq-e.htm)

Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate), approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser, verification of your study(ies) and work experience, and the successful completion of the accreditation and notification process by the relevant authorities.

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.

8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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.

NATO is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible working environment, where all candidates living with disabilities can fully participate in the recruitment and selection process. If you require reasonable accommodation, please inform us during your selection process.

Candidates will be required to provide documented medical evidence to support their request for accommodation.

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.

Applicants who are not successful in this competition may be offered an appointment to another post of a similar nature, albeit at the same or a lower grade, provided they meet the necessary requirements.

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 organization offers several work-life policies including Teleworking and Flexible Working arrangements (Flexitime) subject to business requirements.

Please note that the International Staff at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium is a non-smoking environment.

For information about the NATO Single Salary Scale (Grading, Allowances, etc.) please visit our website. Detailed data is available under the Salary and Benefits tab.

NATO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. For more info please click here.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements