Head, Industry Engagement Section

Primary Location Belgium-Brussels

NATO Body NATO International Staff (NATO IS)

Schedule Full-time

Application Deadline 31-Aug-2026, 10:59:00 PM

Salary (Pay Basis) 9,604.83

Grade NATO Grade G20

• PENDING BUDGET APPROVAL **

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 Head, IES will develop, lead, and maintain the Alliance’s high-level industry engagement agenda, including organising major events on behalf of the Organization. The incumbent will lead the implementation of the strategy for NATO’s cooperation with industry. Additionally, they will be responsible for the NATO Industry Advisory Group (NIAG), including providing guidance to ensure it is relevant and well-run.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• possess a university degree or equivalent qualification;
• have at least 6 years of relevant professional experience, including managerial experience;
• have experience in organising and coordinating multi-stakeholder and high-level events;
• have excellent drafting skills and experience in preparing policy documents, background and speaking notes for senior management; and
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; II (“Elementary”) in the other.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Project Management: Lead and oversee the implementation of the strategy for NATO’s cooperation with industry and NATO’s online engagement platform with industry. Oversee the planning and organisation of the NATO Industry Forum, NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum, and other flagship defence industry engagement events. Represent NATO in industry related topics by attending Industry events.

People Management: Promote a positive, productive and inspiring work environment. Provide regular and fair feedback on performance, informally and formally via the HQ Achievement and Development (ADP) system. Provide mentoring, coaching and training opportunities and be available to offer guidance at critical moments.

Policy Development: Provide expert advice and recommendations in the formulation of NIAG cooperation. Oversee the coordination between various committees and bodies in relation to relevant policy development. Keep abreast of industrial developments that could be included into NATO’s work and policy.

Knowledge Management: Ensure that the Section has appropriate means and processes to identify, capture, organize, store, share and utilize knowledge, especially in relation to industry, in order to improve decision-making and efficiency of initiatives and actions pursued by the Section, Directorate and the D2IA Division.

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

INTERRELATIONSHIPS

Reporting Line: The incumbent reports to the Director, Industry.

Interactions: The incumbent liaises with government, military and industry representatives of NATO nations.

Direct reports: 4

Indirect reports: N/A

COMPETENCIES

• Achievement: creates own measures of excellence and improves performance.
• Analytical Thinking: sees multiple relationships.
• Change Leadership: expresses vision for change.
• Impact and Influence: uses indirect influence.
• Initiative: is decisive in a time-sensitive situation.
• Organizational Awareness: understands organisational politics.
• Teamwork: solicits inputs and encourages others.

CONTRACT

Contract to be offered to the successful applicant (if non-seconded): Definite duration contract of three years; possibility of renewal for up to three years, during which the incumbent may apply for conversion to an indefinite duration contract.

Contract clause applicable:

In accordance with the contract policy, this is a post in which turnover is desirable for political reasons in order to be able to accommodate the Organisation's need to carry out its tasks as mandated by the Nations in a changing environment, for example by maintaining the flexibility necessary to shape the Organisation's skills profile, and to ensure appropriate international diversity.

The maximum period of service foreseen in this post is 6 years. The successful applicant will be offered a 3-year definite duration contract, which may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years. However, according to the procedure described in the contract policy the incumbent may apply for conversion to an indefinite contract during the period of renewal and no later than one year before the end of contract.

If the successful applicant is