Officer, Defence Industrial Capacity

Primary Location

Belgium-Brussels

NATO Body

NATO International Staff (NATO IS)

Schedule

Full-time

Application Deadline

19-Oct-2026, 11:59:00 PM

Salary (Pay Basis)

6,713.06

Grade

NATO Grade G15-G17

SUMMARY

The Defence Industry, Innovation and Armaments Division (D2IA) leads on the rapid development and delivery of cutting‑edge and interoperable defence capabilities, working with innovation ecosystems and industry across the Alliance to meet NATO’s deterrence and defence needs.

The Defence Industry Capacity Officer provides policy expertise and support on topics related to the transatlantic technological and defence industrial base, particularly in relation to NATO and EU. The incumbent works laterally across a complex set of stakeholders and organizations to ensure coherence of their work and other strategic initiatives. The incumbent monitors and supports coherence with, and outreach to, similar national and EU policy efforts.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• possess a university degree or equivalent level of qualification in a relevant field for this position;
• have at least 3 years of relevant work experience, including researching, analysing and presenting data for strategic decision making;
• have excellent analytical skills, strong briefing (verbal and written) skills including the ability to identify and distil complex policy issues;
• possess the solid knowledge of the defence industrial sector, EU policy initiatives, and a good understanding of current trends affecting the defence industrial bases ; and
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; II (“Elementary”) in the other.

The following would be considered an advantage:

• possess an understanding of NATO and current developments affecting the Alliance, including in the domains of defence industry and capability development; and
• completion of programme management, strategy or policy development training (for example military staff college, civil service or industry programmes).

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Policy Development: Provide or coordinate advice on questions of international cooperation related to defence industry and defence industrial capacity, including the development of general and specific policy documents. Draft and contribute to policy proposals and provide data‑driven input to policy, strategy and conceptual papers. Work closely with the section Head on monitoring and supporting coherence with EU policy initiatives. Ensure that policy options applied to the transatlantic defence industrial base are informed, coherent and aligned.

Expertise Development: Develop and maintain expertise on current developments across Alliance and partner defence industry and defence industrial policies. Advise committees and groups supported by D2IA on partner‑related defence industrial considerations for capability delivery‑related policies and initiatives. Monitor developments in the transatlantic industrial base, academia, government policy and other relevant NATO committees/bodies relevant to broader policy making and implementation.

Stakeholder Management: Develop and maintain a broad external and internal stakeholder network relevant to transatlantic defence industry issues and policy development. Liaise extensively with stakeholders across industry, the NATO Enterprise, the Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD) and its substructure, and other organizations to ensure that requirements related to the transatlantic industrial base are well informed, coherent and aligned. Represent the Organization at international industrial events and conferences.

Perform any other related duty as assigned

INTERRELATIONSHIPS

Reporting Line

The incumbent reports to the assigned lead officer within the section.

Interactions

They work in close cooperation with the section and entire Division. They also maintain contacts with senior members of the International Staff and International Military Staff, members of national delegations, NATO Science & Technology Organization, NATO Agencies, International Organizations, industry partners and subject‑matter experts.

Direct reports: N/a

Indirect reports: N/a.

COMPETENCIES

• Analytical Thinking: sees multiple relationships.
• Clarity and Accuracy: checks own work.
• Conceptual Thinking: applies learned concepts.
• Customer Service Orientation: takes personal responsibility for correcting problems.
• Impact and Influence: takes multiple actions to persuade.
• Initiative: is decisive in a time‑sensitive situation.