Head, Policy Planning Unit

Primary LocationBelgium-BrusselsNATO BodyNATO International Staff (NATO IS)ScheduleFull-timeApplication Deadline23-Nov-2025, 11:59:00 PMSalary (Pay Basis)10,742.69GradeNATO Grade G22 SUMMARY The Head of the Policy Planning Unit (PPU) leads policy and strategic planning in the Office of the Secretary General (OSG) and leads the work on strategic anticipation for NATO senior management. S/he facilitates the review of strategic policy issues facing the Alliance by NATO senior management, the Secretary General and the Council. S/he also advises the NATO Secretary General and the Office of the Secretary General on policy, strategy and political messaging. S/he contributes to the development of policy and public messaging including speeches and other public products for the Secretary General.The Head of PPU develops and coordinates the preparation of cross-divisional proposals and initiatives on strategic issues and develops links with relevant counterparts in Allied and Partner governments, think tanks, academic institutions and non-governmental organisations to ensure that a broad range of expertise, views and perspectives are available to the Secretary General and the Council in considering strategic policy issues. The Head of PPU leads "foresight" work at the NATO Headquarters on emerging policy issues. They provide policy analysis and recommendations to the Secretary General and NATO senior management on the political landscape inside and outside NATO.Key challenges facing the successful candidate for this post during the next 2-3 years will include: Preparing NATO’s policy agenda for review at NATO Summit meetings. Laying the groundwork for NATO’s future policy guidance. Contributing to driving forward the Alliance’s continual adaptation to the changing security environment.As part of the Office of Secretary General, the post holder may be required to travel frequently and work beyond standard office hours when required.Candidates are asked, as part of this application, to attach one MS Word document, summarising their views on these key (and possible other) challenges and how they would address them if selected for the position. This essay, which should be no more than 1 A4 pages long, will be evaluated as part of the longlisting assessment. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE EssentialThe candidate must: possess a university degree from a recognized institution, in a field relevant to the position; have at least 10 years of experience in progressively responsible positions, preferably in policy analysis related to international security, defence and foreign affairs, out of which at least 5 years of experience in team management and coordination; have in-depth knowledge of NATO and a familiarity with the strategic issues, political priorities and security challenges facing the Alliance; have strong analytical skills and an ability to present complex strategic security issues and policy options in a clear and concise manner; have a record of thinking creatively and innovatively in addressing policy challenges and problems; have strong written communication skills and be well versed in public speaking, presentations and engagements; have excellent networking, communication and negotiation skills; possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages: (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; III (“Intermediate”) in the other.DESIRABLE experience in policy planning or speechwriting for senior officials in a national government or an international institution; experience working in a multilateral environment or environment with a variety of stakeholders from multi-cultural backgrounds; higher university degree with a focus on strategic policy research; experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES Policy Development Ensure that policy is developed to support NATO’s objectives and coordinate the preparation of cross-divisional proposals and initiatives on strategic security issues for review by senior management, the Secretary General, and the Council. Contribute to the development of policy and public messaging, including speeches and other public products for the Secretary General. Lead work on strategic anticipation and foresight for NATO senior management and the NATO Headquarters. Suggests creative solutions to a wide variety of existing and emerging strategic level policy issues.Vision and DirectionDevelop, communicate and implement a vision to successfully meet the challenges of the Unit. Federate the team around common objectives, ensuring that vision guides its mid and long-term programme of work. Play an important role and support the NATO decision-making process on the development, planning, implementation and assessment of NATO’s strategic policies. Act as a role model of inclusive leadership and promote resilience, flexibility and innovation. Take decisions, set priorities and establish objectives with a view to achieving long-term outcomes for NATO Strategic Planning on defence policy and security issues.Stakeholder Management Ensure the network of stakeholder relationships functions effectively. Prepare contingency plans for the effective management of issues that may arise. Develop links with relevant counterparts in Allied and partner capitals, think tanks, academic institutions and non-governmental organisations to ensure that a broad range of expertise, views and perspectives are available to the Secretary General and the Council in considering strategic policy issues.Knowledge Management Ensure that the design and implementation of knowledge management systems includes mechanisms to ensure the collection and distribution of high-quality content. Work with the International Staff and International Military Staff and with Allied delegations and Partner missions to NATO to identify strategic issues and prepare appropriate materials for review by senior management, the Secretary General, and the Council.Project Management Ensure that project/programme deliverables are attainable and guide their progress. Identify risks and undertake contingency planning. Strengthen corporate planning within the Alliance by facilitating the annual preparation of the Alliance’s strategic objectives, and monitor the impact of these objectives on the budget processes and policy development across the Alliance.People ManagementProvide guidance and coordinate a diverse team. Provide mentoring, coaching and training opportunities and be available to offer guidance at critical moments. Ensure that all staff under their responsibility are clear on Organisational, Divisional, and Section objectives. Provide regular and fair feedback on performance, informally as appropriate and through the HQ Performance Review and Development (PRD) system. Identify possible development and mobility opportunities for team members. Promote integrity, professionalism and accountability through a sound and inclusive leadership culture. Oversee the work and personnel of the Policy Planning Unit.Organisational EfficienciesDrive organization-wide change management efforts, assigned to PPU, including the planning, oversight, and identifying organization-wide efficiencies (under NATO 2030 Agenda or other major organizational initiatives).Representation of the Organization Represent extensively the Organization up to the level of authority to professionals and experts from a broad range of security fields, and interact with key stakeholders. Engage with political interlocutors on behalf of the Secretary General, as required.Expertise Development Ensure the correct application of expertise in the Unit through benchmarking. Develop and use expertise in relevant fields, and apply to topics of interest to NATO senior management, the Secretary General and the Council while maintaining consistent communication within assigned area of responsibility.Perform any other related duty as assigned. INTERRELATIONSHIPSThe Head, Policy Planning Unit reports to the Chief of Staff and Director of the OSG. They work closely with appropriate Divisions in the International Staff, with NATO Military Authorities, Allied delegations and Partner missions, and other staff in the Office of the Secretary General in carrying out the above responsibilities. In addition, they are expected to build strong links with high level stakeholders and experts outside of NATO on a broad range of security issues.Direct reports: 3Indirect reports: n/a COMPETENCIES The incumbent must demonstrate: Achievement: Sets and works to meet challenging goals; Change Leadership: Personally leads change; Conceptual Thinking: Clarifies complex data or situations; Developing Others: Provides in-depth mentoring, coaching and training; Impact and Influence: Uses indirect influence; Initiative: Plans and acts for the long-term; Leadership: Positions self as the leader; Organisational Awareness: Understands organisational politics; Self-Control: Stays composed and positive even under extreme pressure. 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.Contract clause applicable:This is a senior post of specialised political nature in which turnover is required for political reasons. 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. The maximum period of service in this post is six years.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.Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations. USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESSPlease 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 INFORMATIONNATO 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.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.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 .