Assistant Legal Adviser

NATO
- North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

Job Description
- Assistant Legal Adviser (261342)

NATO Body

NATO International Staff (NATO IS)

Schedule

Full-time

Application Deadline

13-Sep-2026, 9:59:00 PM

Salary (Pay Basis)

Grade NATO Grade G17

Description

Description :

• Assistant, Legal Adviser (grade G17)
• Assistant, Legal Adviser (grade G15/G17) – please refer to the Post Description via the following link: https://www.nato.int/content/dam/nato/webready/documents/hr/2026/hr-assistant-legal-adviser-ola0005e.pdf

The Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) at NATO Headquarters is responsible for providing legal advice to the Secretary General, the International Staff (IS), the North Atlantic Council, other NATO Committees and NATO subsidiary bodies. The Office supports policy development, negotiates and drafts agreements, represents the Organization in litigation, and engages with Allied legal offices in capitals on strategic legal issues. The incumbent works as an Assistant Legal Adviser. While the incumbent advises, as a legal generalist, on a variety of questions of international and domestic law, the focus of their work is on public international law (including privileges and immunities, the jus ad bellum, the jus in bello, and other areas relevant to military planning and operations) and international administrative law (including employment-related and governance-related policy development and implementation). The incumbent works to a wide and demanding portfolio, maintains and develops contacts with clients, and helps manage the day-to-day running of the Office.

The incumbent must possess a university degree in law from an institute of recognised standing and professional legal qualifications, as appropriate; have at least 5 years’ experience in providing legal advice on public international law and/or international administrative law; possess resilience and experience managing a significant workload and maintaining calmness under pressure; have excellent written and oral communications skills as well as a practical and collegial approach to problem solving; and 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: expertise and experience with the legal framework applicable to defence and security matters, including military operations, arms control, and the development and use of advanced technologies in military operations; expertise and experience with the legal framework applicable to employment-related issues, including policy development and advocacy work in relation to staff disputes; and experience in an International Organization, national ministry or similar complex environment including stakeholder Nations, providing legal advice on issues comparable to those arising at NATO.

Expertise Development

Follow major activities in the field of international law of other International Organisations and international or national courts with a direct impact on assigned tasks. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legal publications and jurisprudence in the field of public international law and international administrative law. Independently plan, research and prepare decisions on questions of legal and policy matters. Draft and, as required, assist in discussing and reviewing policies for use within NATO. Prepare and contribute to project work as required in OLA.

Knowledge Management

Provide advice to officials of the Organization on legal issues related to any assigned fields. Analyse the legal questions affecting the Organization and NATO-led operations under international and applicable domestic law, including host nation law. Prepare legal texts, internal memoranda and other legal documents. As required, prepare and give briefings/lectures on the legal aspects of NATO related subjects.

Representation of the Organization

Assist, as requested, in preparation for, or conduct of, the defence of the Organization before any internal or external Board/Tribunal, in co-ordination with the defence of other subsidiary bodies as well as military Headquarters. Assist or represent OLA, as required, in the preparation and discussion of agreements or other legal documents to be concluded by NATO. As required, represent OLA in meetings of relevant Committees.

Project Management

Prepare and contribute to project work as required. Assume accountability and drive projects/initiatives to completion. Find timely and creative solutions to problems that meet client and Organisational needs and priorities while respecting rules and procedures. Support the co-ordination of legal issues across the NATO enterprise, including in consultation with legal offices of Agencies, the International Military Staff at NATO