Press Officer (2 Posts)

Primary LocationBelgium-Brussels

NATO Body

NATO International Staff (NATO IS)

Schedule

Full-time

Application Deadline

13-Jan-2025, 11:59:00 PM

Salary (Pay Basis)

7,540.44

Grade

NATO Grade G17-G20

*Please note that one of the posts for this recruitment is pending budget approval

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.

The Press and Media Section is the principal point of contact for all media-related issues at NATO Headquarters.

The primary function of the incumbent is to draft press conferences, messages, statements, media lines and other related products for the Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary General. They regularly engage with international media, and handle queries, following the guidance of the NATO Spokesperson and the Head of Press and Media/Deputy Spokesperson. They also conduct press tours to NATO events and support coordination of communication activities and messages with the military chain of command.

• QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

EssentialThe incumbent must:

• possess a university degree from an institute of recognised standing or equivalent level of qualification;
• have 5 years’ experience in a communications environment or equivalent qualifying experience;
• have excellent drafting and communications skills;
• have a proven ability to engage effectively with media;
• demonstrate sound political judgement;
• have a good knowledge of security issues and international relations;
• have in-depth knowledge of the press and media in at least one NATO member country;
• have experience using social media;
• be able to work as part of a diverse, multinational team;
• be able to remain calm in difficult situations;
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): VI (“Proficiency”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other;
• be able to travel and work outside normal office hours.

DESIRABLE The following would be considered an advantage:

• familiarity with the press corps in Brussels;
• experience in broadcast and audio-visual media;
• experience working in an international organisation;
• knowledge of additional NATO Allied and/or Partner nation languages;
• familiarity with other international institutions and the military.
• MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Expertise Development Support the Spokesperson and the Head of Press and Media/Deputy Spokesperson on designated media issues, especially with drafting media messages, press conferences, statements, and other products for the Secretary General in a way that is clear, concise, and accessible. Deal with media queries, corrections and rebuttals in a proactive and accurate way within the news cycle, following guidance from the Spokesperson and the Head of Press and Media/Deputy Spokesperson. Demonstrate an ability to convey complex or technical issues in a clear, accessible and newsworthy way. Keep up-to-date with NATO’s political agenda and key messages to be pushed to the media. Keep on top of breaking news stories and provide handling advice as required. Support the organisation of press conferences, briefings and media interviews. Provide timely and accurate transcripts of media engagements by the Secretary General and other NATO officials. Support and advise on the planning, execution and assessment of media tours and other public events. Demonstrate a team player attitude in a fast moving and demanding multinational working environment. Contribute to PDD communications campaigns and the implementation of NATO’s Annual Communication Strategy.

Stakeholder Management

Coordinate with relevant internal and external stakeholders, including NATO International Staff divisions, the military chain of command and Allies, to ensure message coherence and accurate media messages. Establish and maintain contact with journalists and opinion makers. Advise the Spokesperson on the management of interview requests. Assist in the preparation of media products for journalists for NATO Summits, ministerials and other high-level meetings. Liaise with journalists ahead of interviews and draft messages for those interviews. Brief on media issues and travel with the Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General and the North Atlantic Council as required.

Knowledge Management

Draft and review press conferences and statements for the Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General and the Spokesperson demonstrating sound political judgement, organisational awareness and newsworthiness. Draft and review media lines and narratives on key issues and for media engagements. Draft briefing materials. Prepare and deliver presentations for internal and external audiences. Write and review products and updates for the NATO website and relevant social media channels. Contribute to PDD’s communications plans.

Representation of the Organization

Brief journalists, visitor groups and other audiences on NATO’s policies, responsibilities and initiatives. Represent the Press and Media Section in internal and external meetings, including exercises, committee meetings, and working groups. Represent NATO in relevant workshops, seminars and other public events.

Project Management

Contribute in a systematic and proactive way to the daily and long-term planning within the Press and Media Section. Provide editorial guidance on the development of NATO audio-visual products and facilitate the provision of these products to the media as required.

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

• INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The incumbent reports to the Head of Press and Media/Deputy Spokesperson. They work in close cooperation with the rest of PDD, as well as with other NATO divisions and bodies, the military chain of command and national delegations. They may also coordinate with staff members of NATO Agencies, government departments, and non-governmental organisations. They regularly engage with journalists.

Direct reports: N/a

Indirect reports: N/a

• COMPETENCIES

The incumbent will demonstrate:

• 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;
• Organisational Awareness: Understands organisational politics;
• Teamwork: Solicits inputs and encourages others.

6. CONTRACTContract 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 seconded from the national administration of one of NATO’s member States, a 3-year definite duration contract will be offered, which may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years subject also to the agreement of the national authority concerned. The maximum period of service in the post as a seconded staff member is six years.

Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Régulations.

NOTE: Irrespective of previous qualifications and experience, candidates for twin-graded posts will be appointed at the lower grade. Advancement to the higher grade is not automatic, and will not normally take place during the first three years of service in the post.

Under specific circumstances, serving staff members may be appointed directly to the higher grade, and a period of three years might be reduced by up to twenty four months for external candidates. These circumstances are described in the IS directive on twin-graded posts.

• USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries. Applications must be submitted using e-recruitment system, as applicable:

• For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal ( link );
• For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment

Before you apply to any position, we encourage you to click here and watch our video providing 6 tips to prepare you for your application and recruitment process.

Do you have questions on the application process in the system and not sure how to proceed? Click here for a video containing the information you need to successfully submit your application on time.

More information about the recruitment process and conditions of employment, can be found at our website (http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/recruit-hq-e.htm)

Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate), approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser, verification of your study(ies) and work experience, and the successful completion of the accreditation and notification process by the relevant authorities.

NATO will not accept any phase of the recruitment and selection prepared, in whole or in part, by means of generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots, such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (Chat GPT), or other language generating tools. NATO reserves the right to screen applications to identify the use of such tools. All applications prepared, in whole or in part, by means of such generative or creative AI applications may be rejected without further consideration at NATO’s sole discretion, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.

• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

NATO is committed to diversity and inclusion, and strives to provide equal access to employment, advancement and retention, independent of gender, age, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, cultural background, sexual orientation, and disability. NATO welcomes applications of nationals from all member Nations, and strongly encourages women to apply.

Building Integrity is a key element of NATO’s core tasks. As an employer, NATO values commitment to the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability in accordance with international norms and practices established for the defence and related security sector. Selected candidates are expected to be role models of integrity, and to promote good governance through ongoing efforts in their work.

Due to the broad interest in NATO and the large number of potential candidates, telephone or e-mail enquiries cannot be dealt with.

Applicants who are not successful in this competition may be offered an appointment to another post of a similar nature, albeit at the same or a lower grade, provided they meet the necessary requirements.

The nature of this position may require the staff member at times to be called upon to travel for work and/or to work outside normal office hours.

The organization offers several work-life policies including Teleworking and Flexible Working arrangements (Flexitime) subject to business requirements.

Please note that the International Staff at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium is a non-smoking environment.

For information about the NATO Single Salary Scale (Grading, Allowances, etc.) please visit our website . Detailed data is available under the Salary and Benefits tab.