YPP, Programme and Project Management

The Young Professionals Programme (YPP)

In a more dangerous and competitive security environment, NATO continues to do everything that is needed to keep one billion people across Europe and North America safe. We are strengthening our defences, responding swiftly and decisively to threats to our security, and working together – as allies and partners – to protect our freedom and shared interests.

We are launching an accelerator for your international career – the fourth cycle of our Young Professionals Programme (YPP). Through this global three-year programme, you will experience the frontline of a political and military alliance and start a journey of personal and professional development in a diverse and inclusive work environment. Together, we will ensure NATO continues to:

• respond with unity, strength and resolve to growing dangers to our security across the Euro-Atlantic area and in all domains – land, sea, air, space and cyberspace;

• build stronger defences by investing more in defence and accelerating defence production and innovation;

• harness new technologies for our security, and stay ahead in cutting-edge domains such as cyber and space;

• leverage partnerships, including with the European Union, individual countries and the private sector, to protect our freedom and shared interests; and

• contribute to fighting terrorism and rampant instability in NATO’s southern neighbourhood.

Do you want to make a difference and help protect close to one billion people across 32 NATO member states, including your own? If you are ready to take on this challenge, and are a national of a NATO member state, hold a Master’s degree and have at least one year of work experience, then apply for the YPP.

With you, we are stronger.

#WeAreNATO

Your role

During the three years of the programme, you will be assigned to three different NATO bodies:

For more information, please see the path narrative here. You can also find more information about the NATO bodies here & the NATO Young Professionals Programme here.

This is an opportunity for you to apply your knowledge and skills in the broader area of Programme and Project Management. As you gain experience, you will be given increasing responsibilities, such as:

• Being responsible for all the planning, coordination, preparation and control of the assigned projects/programmes;
• Supporting the implementation of the programme/project, monitoring and reviewing their performance;
• Update the change roadmap– this means working with all business lines (and mainly with corporate functions) to map out all of the organizational changes occurring within the NATO entity;
• Developing, implementing and controlling the Performance Indicators (PIs) relevant to the Programme/Project;
• Supporting proactive risk management for the programme/project in accordance with risk management standards;
• Sharing best practices within the teams and with other organizational entities;
• Preparing and reporting on programme/project status to stakeholders and preparing the budgets of the Programme;
• Preparing and participating in meetings, conferences and seminars as required;
• Examining the convergence between different Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDTs) and their potential impact;
• Supporting teams at NATO working towards a culture of innovation at NATO by embracing agile approaches to decision-making and seeking to uncover institutional barriers to the Alliance’s tech readiness;
• Establishing an understanding of the NATO Enterprise’s ways of working to be able to integrate innovative project management approaches for NATO stakeholders to adapt to dynamic trends;
• Supporting and facilitating the discussion, development and implementation of innovative initiatives in the form of policies, processes or technologies;
• Supporting NATO’s efforts in systematically introducing innovation in defence planning and capability development processes and activities;
• Informing the Strategic Level about the military implications of projects/programmes and technological innovation; and,
• Researching new trends within the areas of responsibilities of Programme and Project Management.

Who we are looking for

The changing pace of the world demands that NATO and its people remain flexible, eager to learn and able to work effectively with a variety of stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. For a YPP position, we are looking for candidates with at least one year of professional experience.

For the YPP, Programme and Project Management path, we are generally interested in the following educational backgrounds:

• Master’s degree in the field of international affairs, STEM-B (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Business administration), international affairs or a related discipline;

• Any other degree that you believe can be useful to the area of Programme and Project Management – let us know how your knowledge and skills can be applied

Any of the following experience or skills would be considered as an asset:

• Experience in the management and development of projects/programmes, including the financial management of projects;

• Experience conducting both qualitative and quantitative research;

• Proven ability to manage all aspects of projects composed of teams of internal staff and one or multiple contractor companies;

• Have excellent drafting skills and experience in preparing background and speaking notes for senior management;

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, in technical and non-technical areas with technicians and non-technical managers;

• Passion for innovation projects & policy development that drives change. High motivation to exploit technology and innovative ways of working;

• Demonstrate a strong interest in at least one of NATO’s identified EDTs;

• Familiarity with the strategic issues and security challenges facing the Alliance;

• Ability to persuade key stakeholders of strategic implications of technological change, including by translating technical concepts for generalist audiences;

• Experience with one or more ERP and data analysis tool (such as SAP, Power BI, Matlab, KNIME, Python, VBA) preferably in the context of a project;

• Any additional training/certification(s) related to programme and project management and project or programme management certification (such as PRINCE2, PMP, MSP);

• Good knowledge of NATO's organizational structure and its political-military priorities and a good understanding of the role of NATO Agencies;

• Curious & innovative mindset;

• Strong analytical & drafting skills;

• Proactivity, can-do attitude & willingness to learn and share information; and,

• Teamwork, excellent communication, facilitation and interpersonal skills.

What we offer

NATO will offer the Young Professionals:

• An experience of a lifetime at the forefront of an international organization where you’ll have the opportunity to develop your skills and expand your professional network;

• A diverse and stimulating work and personal experience where you will be assigned to three different NATO bodies around the globe, one each year; and,

• A competitive salary and other benefits, including excellent health insurance and a generous annual leave package of 30 days

Are you interested in being part of NATO and the YPP?  Apply by 31 May 2026 [23:59 – Brussels time]

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

Please note that at the time of the interviews, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of their education and professional experience as relevant for this vacancy.

Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate) and approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser.

More information about the recruitment process and conditions of employment, can be found at our website (https://www.nato.int/en/work-with-us/careers).

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.

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.