China Policy Officer, Brussels

1. SUMMARY  

The Political Affairs and Security Policy (PASP) Division leads on the political aspects of NATO’s fundamentals security tasks. Within PASP, the Indo-Pacific Section (IP) is responsible for the implementation of political guidance related to NATO’s relations with its Indo-Pacific partners (Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand), its policy towards China, its relations with partners Mongolia and Pakistan, and interlocutors in the Indo-Pacific region, including India and Singapore. 
In accordance with NATO-wide standards as well as with PASP Standing Operating Procedures, the incumbent works on NATO’s policy towards China and has a role in NATO’s relations with the Indo-Pacific Partners and contact countries. Additionally, the incumbent acts as a back-up officer on one or more of the countries in the Indo-Pacific Section.  

2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE  

The incumbent must: 
•  possess a university degree in the field of political science, international relations, security studies, or another relevant discipline for this position; 
•  have at least 4 years of relevant experience in diplomatic missions, policy writing or other security and defence expertise involving China; 
• have an excellent knowledge of international affairs and defence policy issues, with a particular focus on the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions; 
•  have excellent drafting and communication skills;
•  possess the following minimum level of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other;

The following would be considered an advantage: 
•  a working knowledge of Mandarin;
•  experience with countries in the Indo-Pacific Section area of responsibility. 

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES            

Policy Development. Monitor, analyse, and report on developments in and around China, and the implications for NATO. Advise the NATO leadership on the development of NATO’s policy towards China, as well as its implementation, including by supporting the work of the North Atlantic Council and other relevant NATO committees. Contribute to the development and implementation of NATO’s policies related to other Indo-Pacific partners and contact countries.

Stakeholder Management. Coordinate aspects of NATO’s policy towards China with counterparts throughout the NATO HQ and the NATO Command Structure.  Work closely with Allies, partners countries, international organisations, and other stakeholders (academia, civil society, NGOs), maintaining regular relations and exchanging views.  Develop a network of key stakeholders.  

Expertise Development. Prepare, write, coordinate, and edit documents, memoranda, checklists, answers to the press, speaking notes and background materials. Act as back-up officer to other members of the team, providing support, as needed, on other countries in the Indo-Pacific Section area of responsibility.  

Representation of the Organisation. Represent the Indo-Pacific Section at relevant meetings and visits, as required.  Give presentations to visitors, contribute to briefings to various internal and external audiences, and represent the Alliance at conferences, workshops, and seminars.  

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS 

Reporting Line: The incumbent reports to the Head, Indo Pacific Section.  

Interactions: The Officer works in close coordination with other members of the Indo Pacific Section and other sections in PASP. The incumbent also works with other Divisions in the International Staff, the NATO Military Authorities, with national delegations, NATO agencies and Centres of Excellence.

Direct reports: N/a 
Indirect reports: N/a 

5. COMPETENCIES 

The incumbent must demonstrate:

•     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;
•     Organisational Awareness: Understands organizational climate and culture;
•     Teamwork: Expresses positive attitudes and expectations of team or team members.

6. 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 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. 

7. 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:

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More information about the recruitment process and conditions of employment, can be found at our website (

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 reference documents without proper quotes (plagiarism), or any tools available on internet, including but not limited to translation facilities, or generative artificial-intelligence (AI) 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 tools will be rejected without further consideration, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.

8. 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.

NATO is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible working environment, where all candidates living with disabilities can fully participate in the recruitment and selection process. If you require reasonable accommodation, please inform us during your selection process.

Candidates will be required to provide documented medical evidence to support their request for accommodation.

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.

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NATO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. For more info please click here .