Programme Officer

**1. SUMMARY**

NATO’s Public Diplomacy efforts serve a vital function within the Alliance by communicating its purpose and priorities to audiences worldwide. In fulfilling this role, the Public Diplomacy Division (PDD) actively strengthens NATO’s public image, thereby fostering trust in and support for the Alliance. The Division also acts as coordinator for strategic communication activities across all NATO civilian and military bodies and commands.

PDD works to promote security cooperation through a variety of programmes in NATO and partner countries and contributes to a continuous process of international security debate and policy creation. The Division also acts as coordinator for strategic communication activities across all NATO civilian and military bodies and harmonises public diplomacy activities undertaken by other Divisions at NATO Headquarters (HQ), as well as by other entities belonging to the NATO structure.

The Public Diplomacy Division Engagements Section’s principal goals are to strengthen NATO’s public image, foster awareness and understanding of NATO, its values, policies and activities, and ultimately enhance trust in and support for the Alliance. The Section’s strategic outlook is aligned to the NATO Communications Strategy. The Section is committed to building long-term relationships, fostering dialogue and cooperation with relevant audiences in NATO countries and around the world through a combination of people-to-people as well as digital engagement tools. To that effect, the Section engages with opinion leaders, policy makers and professionals as well as online interest groups and young people across NATO member and partner countries. Cooperation themes are guided by NATO’s evolving political agenda, with a focus on the Alliance’s core tasks, i.e. collective defence, crisis management and cooperative security.

Under the daily supervision of the Head, Engagements Section, the Programme Officer will be responsible for managing a portfolio that may include nation-based engagement programmes, thematic programmes and contributions to NATO communications campaigns, as well as functional cooperation assignments (including communications advisory support and capacity building).

**2. QUALIFICATIONS **AND **EXPERIENCE**

**ESSENTIAL**

The incumbent must:

- possess a university degree, or an equivalent level of qualification, in a relevant discipline (political or social sciences; international relations; international law; communications sciences; public relations; journalism; etc.);
- have at least 5 years of relevant professional experience, in particular in public diplomacy and the management of communication projects and teams;
- have excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing, and be able to draft clearly and concisely all types of documents (memos, backgrounders, speeches, speaking points, reports etc.) required in the post;
- have sound expertise on the latest trends in the organization of public diplomacy activities;
- have experience in the development and implementation of communications campaigns, tailored to specific audiences;
- have an excellent knowledge of international affairs, security and defence policy issues, and good knowledge of NATO policies and activities;
- have experience demonstrating sound political judgment and analytical skills;
- have experience in planning, implementing, monitoring and assessing a broad range of public diplomacy activities, including events, projects and campaigns using multiple communication tools and channels;
- have experience in working with senior level officials;
- possess proven project management and organizational skills;
- possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; III (“Intermediate”) in the other;
- be willing to travel and to work outside normal office hours as required.

**DESIRABLE**

The following would be considered an advantage:

- more than 5 years of relevant professional experience;
- experience working in an international environment;
- several years’ experience as a public speaker as well as working with and briefing high level groups;
- excellent drafting and oral skills in English (Level V, Advanced);
- experience working with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs); think tanks, civil society entities and national media;
- experience in developing and managing communications capacity building programmes / training for government structures;
- knowledge of other NATO and/or partner nations languages

**3. MA **IN **ACCOUNTABILITIES**

**Expertise Development**

**Project Management**

**Policy Development**

Provide regular analyses and inputs to the Division's senior management through the Head, Engagements Section, related to key political and public developments and trends. Analyse the impact of a potential PDD action on NATO’s relationship with the country or countries concerned. Contribute to political