Post Context/Post Summary
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) delivers strategic‑level command and control capabilities that enable SACEUR to fulfil his mandate across all domains and regions. Within this mission, the Office of the Chief of Staff (OCOS) ensures seamless support to COS/Vice‑COS, while the Programme Office for the new Supreme Headquarters (POSH) drives one of SHAPE’s most visible transformation efforts: the Static Command Facilities (SCF) Programme.
As Communication Manager, you become the central voice of the SCF Transformation Programme, shaping how the programme is understood across SHAPE, Host Nations, and the wider NATO enterprise. You will lead internal and external engagement, craft coherent and influential messaging, and ensure stakeholders remain informed, aligned, and positively engaged throughout all phases of this high‑visibility strategic initiative.
This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the heart of SHAPE’s future headquarters development—translating complex programme activities into clear, compelling communication, supporting senior‑level briefings, and representing POSH across the Command Group. It is a position for a proactive, diplomatic communicator who thrives in a dynamic, multinational environment and wants to contribute directly to one of NATO’s flagship transformation programmes.
Principal Duties
The incumbent's duties are:
1)Design and execute proactive outreach and internal communications strategy, aiming at increasing awareness and engaging internal and external stakeholders on the SHAPE Static Command Facilities (SCF) Transformation programme.
2)Develop the SHAPE SCF Communication Plan in full autonomy as the only Communication SME in POSH and in close coordination with SHAPE J10 STRATCOM, in order to determine key focus areas/audiences, align with overall SHAPE communication strategies and achieve maximum influence effect. Ensure compatibility of internal communications plans and that they reflect SHAPE strategic objectives.
3)Continuous assessment of the Communication Plan, to monitor performance and recommend corrective actions to senior managers. Management of the sequence of reports as part of the Project Communication Plan.
4)Prepare strategic level SHAPE POSH briefing concerning the SHAPE Static Command Facilities programme and transition initiatives to senior management.
5)Develop, implement and maintain an Information Campaign, coordinating POSH Programme and Project Managers efforts and contributions with external stakeholders and particularly aligning SHAPE's position with the Host Nations.
6)Support POSH in a constant dialogue with SCF Programme stakeholders to maintain oversight of all internal and external interdependencies of POSH responsibilities in order to achieve coherent alignment to the work of POSH.
7)Undertake appropriate internal communication activities to maintain and enhance staff awareness and understanding of the HQ mission, operations, commander's intent and priorities. Coordinate activity and messaging with outer offices of the Command Group and Base Support Group staff. Develop, analyze and present quantitative surveys in support of the Transition effort, plan and cost estimate.
8)Maintain POSH presence within SHAPE, e.g. on NATO Information Portal, and distribute information (statements/messages) in a controlled and structured manner as part of the Information Campaign.
9)Monitor relevant open-source media for NATO related in general and SCF Programme related reporting in particular to advise DPOSH and Technical Coordination Officer on media coverage.
Special Requirements and Additional Duties
The employee may be required to perform a similar range of duties elsewhere within the organisation at the same grade without there being any change to the contract.
Undertakes all additional duties as directed by Director POSH.
Although the work is mainly performed in a Normal NATO office working environment, it will be required to regularly access the Construction site to inspect, monitor and report activities, support visits and attend meetings.The work is occasionally performed in a Construction Site including access to hard-hat areas. Slightly Undesirable Conditions apply. The risk of injury is categorised as Light Risk of Injury.
Essential Qualifications
a. Professional/Experience
Minimum 2 to 4 years of previous experience in Public Affairs as communication specialist
Previous experience in developing communication strategies and communication plans and initiatives engaging internal and external stakeholders.
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Communication Manager Course or similar ones.
b. Education/Training
University Degree in business administration, public administration or related discipline and 2 years function related experience, or Higher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training in that discipline leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 4 years post related experience.
The additional job specific qualificationsandexperience isdescribed under Professional/Experienceparagraph (4/a). Incaseof ambiguity the required jobspecific experience have priority overthe standard education and training levels and experience described here.
c. Language
English - SLP 4343 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)
French – SLP 2222 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)
NOTE: The work both oral and written in this post and in this Headquarters as a whole is conducted mainly in English.
Desirable Qualifications
a. Professional Experience
Previous experience in a military headquarters or international/government organization
Previous experience in co-operation with NATO/National Construction Agencies and Architecture/Engineering Consultants.
b. Education/Training
PRINCE 2oranyotherrelatedProjectManagementinstrumentexperienceorcertification.
Course:STC-ST-36954-NATOCommunications&InformationActivities(Comm&IA)Planner Course
Attributes/Competencies
•Personal Attributes:The incumbent will need to display a high degree of professionalism, organizational skills, ability to coordinate with others and strong communication skills in the performance of his/her duties. Excellent inter personal and communication skills are necessary for interaction with colleagues, senior officers, staff and stakeholders. Requires considerable discretion, tact and diplomacy. The post requires a proactive individual who is able to work independently but also contribute effectively as part of a team.
•ProfessionalContacts:Daily internal contacts with SHAPE divisions and National Military Representatives in order to exchange information; to solicit information; to provide or seek guidance on various issues.
•ContributionToObiect[Ves:The role will directly contribute to the outputs of the SHAPE J10 StratCom Division through enablement of the Capability coordination role. It will have a very influential role across ACO as it will represent and liaise with the whole J10 enterprise. The incumbent will directly represent Dir J10 StratCom during staff engagements with. This job impacts directly in the timely and effective planning, implementation and maintenance of SHAPE Command and Control Facilities.
There are no reporting responsibilities.
REMARKS:
Duration of contract: This post has been identified as being required for a limited period and is strictly linked to the lifespan of the New SHAPE Headquarters project. The post will be suppressed upon the closure of the project. Newly recruited staff will be offered a definite duration contract of 3 years, which could be renewed depending on the envisioned project timeline. Please be aware that because this post is project-dependent, there is no expectation of contract renewal or conversion to an indefinite duration contract upon the project's completion. Serving NATO staff members will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations (NCPR).
The salary will be the basic entry-level monthly salary defined by the NATO Grade of the post, which may be augmented by allowances based on the selected staff member’s eligibility, and which is subject to the withholding of approximately 20% for pension and medical insurance contributions.
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.
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.
We believe that all people are capable of great things. Because of this, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all of the criteria listed within this job description.
Applicants who prove to be competent for the post but who are not successful in this competition may be offered an appointment in another post of a similar nature, which might become vacant in the near future, albeit at the same or lower grade, provided they meet the necessary requirements.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Applications are to be submitted using NATO Talent Acquisition Platform (NTAP) (https://nato.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobsearch.ftl?lang-en). Applications submitted by other means (e.g. mail, e-mail, fax, etc) are not accepted.
More information to be found on these links:
A copy of the qualification/certificate covering the highest level of education required by the job description must be provided as an attachment. Essential information must be included in the application form. Particular attention should be given to Education and Experience section of the application form. The application should be in English. Shortlisted candidates will be requested to provide original documentary evidence and a set of copies supporting statements in their applications. After submitting your application, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt of your application.
Remarks:
A) Only nationals from the 32 NATO member states can apply for vacancies at SHAPE.
B) Applications are automatically acknowledged within one working day after submission. In the absence of an acknowledgement please make sure the submission process is completed, or, re-submit the application.
C) Candidates’ individual telephone, e-mail or telefax enquiries cannot be dealt with. All candidates will receive an answer indicating the outcome of their application
D) NATO will not accept any recruitment or selection materials created, in whole or in part, using generative artificial‑intelligence tools, including but not limited to chatbots such as ChatGPT or other language‑generation systems. NATO may screen submissions to detect such use. Any application prepared with generative or creative AI may be rejected at NATO’s sole discretion, and further action may be taken as appropriate.
E) As part of the recruitment process, the organization may review publicly available information to assess potential conflicts of interest, reputational risks, or behaviours inconsistent with the organization’s values.