Head, Headquarters Fire and Emergency Services

SUMMARY

The Joint Intelligence and Security Division (JISD) has two main missions: to provide strategic intelligence to NATO HQ decision makers and to protect NATO’s personnel, information, and physical assets. JISD’s Intelligence pillar, comprised of both military and civilian personnel, is responsible for ensuring the situational awareness of the North Atlantic Council (NAC), the Military Committee (MC) and the senior‑level decision‑makers on strategic issues of concern. Its functional areas address intelligence analysis and production, intelligence policy, and intelligence capability development. JISD’s Security pillar is responsible for the overall coordination of NATO security among member Nations, NATO civil and military bodies as well as International Organizations and partner countries with which NATO cooperates. It is also responsible for the security of the NATO Headquarters (HQ), its personnel, information, physical assets, and for the protection of the Secretary General. Within the Protective Security and Emergency Service Branch (PSESB), the Head of HQ Fire and Emergency Services, leads and manages a team of professional emergency responders responsible, at NATO HQ, for responding to fire, medical and other emergencies. They are the principal advisor to the Head, PSESB, and more broadly to the NATO HQ, for all policy, operational, planning and technical aspects of fire prevention and fire‑fighting, emergency medical response, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) and evacuation drills. This position requires flexibility to work outside normal working hours.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• possess a university degree, or an equivalent level of qualification relevant to the position;
• have at least 5 years of experience managing a team of professional firefighters;
• have a degree in crisis management or any other recognized advanced certificate specializing in firefighting and/or incident management/ emergency response, from a national fire prevention or civil protection body;
• have extensive experience as a professional firefighter and Emergency Management, Emergency planning and disaster recovery/ business continuity;
• possess the following minimum levels in the official languages of NATO (English/ French): V ("Advanced") in one and III ("Intermediate") in the other.

Primary Location

Belgium-Brussels

NATO Body

NATO International Staff (NATO IS)

Schedule

Full-time

Application Deadline

13-Sep-2026, 5:59:00 PM

Salary (Pay Basis)

6,713.06

Grade

NATO Grade G15-G17

Assets

• experience in developing and implementing fire prevention, first-aid and emergency response training programs to professionnals, clients/community;
• have excellent knowledge of CBRN incident response procedures, rescue technics (Grimp); and
• knowledge of general occupational health and safety regulations and construction safety prevention.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Planning and Execution: Ensure, throughout NATO HQ, that emergency access and evacuation standards are respected. Draft security instructions and ensure effective communication with the responsible authorities and within the team. Analyse plans submitted by the Workspace Management and Business Continuity (WMBC) service and ensure compliance with material standards for fire resistance and flammability. Develop and implement emergency evacuation drills and exercises and contribute to the development of the NATO Emergency Response Group (ERG) role. Prepare and manage the annual budget for fire and emergency equipment, material and training in coordination with the Head, Operations Section and the Enterprise and Divisional Coherence (EDC) Unit.

Stakeholder Management: Establish and maintain good working relationships with the relevant Belgian authorities, and remain informed of host‑nation legislation regarding firefighting, emergency response and prevention. Coordinate the role of the host nation emergency services to enable NATO emergency response teams to operate alongside host nation services. Provide professional expertise on fire detection, prevention, and fighting materials throughout HQ, for any projects as requested. Maintain frequent contact with the Medical Service to coordinate emergency medical services at NATO HQ.

Organizational Efficiencies: Provide advice on the determination of firefighting materials to be installed throughout the HQ and analyse the budgetary implications in conjunction with the JISD EDC Unit and in collaboration with the WMBC Office. Develop plans and policies for NATO HQ in coordination with host nation and host region fire and emergency/medical services.

People Management: Lead and manage a team of professional firefighters ready to respond 24 hours a day in case of fire, medic