1. Post Context
Headquarters JSEC provides a resilient operational-level Joint Headquarters, capable of supporting 24/7 operations to coordinate enablement (at the operational level) and, on order, the execution of reinforcement by forces (RbyFo) and sustainment flow in order to contribute to the Alliance's ability to project and sustain combat power into, across and from the Area of Responsibility (AOR), and, if required, into a Joint Operations Area (JOA).
The Communications Directorate (J10) has the responsibility for planning and execution of Strategic Communications (StratCom) in accordance with higher HQs direction and guidance and HQ RRAs as functional command for SACEUR’s AOR.
The Information Environment Assessment Branch analyses and assesses the mission-related IE and is the essential pre-condition for planning and execution of effective and efficient information and communication activities.
The incumbent is responsible for conducting the information environment assessment as pre-condition for planning and conduct of own information and communication activities.
2. Principal Duties
The incumbent's duties are:
- Maintains permanent awareness of the situation in the Information Environment (IE) and all activities by potential adversaries with impact on the IE in close coordination with SHAPE.
- Evaluates the impact of JSEC own activities on the IE.
- Deputizes Staff Officer (IE Monitoring & Assessment) in operating social media monitoring tools / social media listening tools / social media analytics tools.
- Contributes to the IE Assessment (IEA) led by SHAPE J10.
- Ensures close permanent contact to and information exchange with responsible IEA counterparts in SHAPE J10 and other NATO commands.
- Ensures support to SHAPE J10 and other NATO commands in conducting the IEA.
- Provides input to update/awareness briefings to COM JSEC and JSEC Staff.
- Contributes to the planning of information and communication activities (ICA) as integral part of JSEC planning and decision-making processes (CPOE, OPP, campaign synchronization) on the different timelines.
- Ensures input to the message alignment and the coordination & synchronization of all activities to shape the IE depending on the results of the IEA.
- Takes part in the development of JSEC Strategic Communication (StratCom) documents, e.g. StratCom framework, StratCom or integrated communications plan (ICP) with regard to IEA aspects.
- Develops measures of effectiveness (MoE) and measures of performance (MoP) for JSEC ICA in close coordination with J10 Branches and J5 Division/Planning Support Branch.
- Contributes to the operations assessment (OpsA) in responsibility of J3 Division/Joint Assessment Branch (JAB).
- Contributes and provides inputs to specialized processes, e.g. joint targeting or intel collection.
- Participates in all JSEC meetings, boards and working groups where respective IEA expertise is required.
- Supports in the preparation, conduct and post-processing of StratCom-related boards / working groups / meetings, e.g. COMMSWG.
- Participates in NATO conferences / meetings / boards as JSEC J10 IEA representative.
3. Special Requirements
a. The incumbent 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.
b. The incumbent may be required to undertake deployments in support of military operations and exercises, and/or TDY (temporary duty) assignments, both within and without NATO boundaries. Such operational deployment may exceed 30 days duration up to 183 days in any period of 547 days, and may be on short notice. For NATO International Civilian Staff, acceptance of an employment contract linked to this post constitutes agreement to deploy in excess of 30 days if required.
4. Essential Qualifications
a. Professional Experience
- This role requires proven experience in Information Warfare. Activities that integrate and optimise relevant information and intelligence, information systems and operations to gain information dominance.
- National training alternatively as specialist / subject matter expert in Strategic Communications Information Operations. Psychological Operations, Military public Affairs or Key Leader Engagement.
- Comprehensive & solid background of joint & combined operations.
- Sound knowledge of working and planning procedures at operational & tactical level.
- Comprehensive and ample understanding of Strategic Communications and related capabilities.
- Ability to analyse the Information Environment (IE) and the impact of military activities in the IE.
- Knowledge of respective procedures and practical experience in planning and conducting Information Communication Activities (ICA).
- Sufficient skills concerning cross-cultural competence and communications.
b. Education/Training
University Degree and 2 years function related experience, or Higher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 4 years post related experience. Degree in Communications is highly appreciated.
The additional job specific qualifications and experience are described under Professional Experience paragraph. In case of ambiguity the required job specific experience has priority over the standard education and training levels and experience described here.
c. Language
a) English - SLP 3333 - (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.
5. Desirable Qualifications
a. Professional Experience
- Participation in NATO or other missions (joint & combined as SME or in respective staff functions for StratCom / Info Ops / PSYOPS / Public Affairs / KLE at any level (operational, tactical, strategic).
- Handling / use of social media monitoring tools, social media listening tools or social media analytics tools.
b. Education/Training
- Training on social media monitoring tools/social media listening tools / social media analytics tools.
- Any further training certificates and courses related to subject field or acquired through NATO (e.g.: NATO Open Source Intelligence Course, NATO Communications & Information Activities, NATO Stratcom Foundation Course, Introduction to NATO Information Environment Assessment etc.);
6. Attributes/Competencies
a. Personal Attributes
The duties of the incumbent require clarity of thought, sound consistent judgement, good interpersonal and communication skills to cooperate within JSEC headquarters and with SHAPE and other NATO commands. He/ she has to be capable to understand the significance of a comprehensive awareness of the situation in the information environment as pre-condition for NATO and JSEC activities to shape a supportive information environment. He / she has to be able to view and evaluate a large number of information sources mainly from electronic media (internet / social media) utilsising social media monitoring, listening or analyzing tools. The ability to assess the provided information on content, truthfulness, intended effects and targeted audiences to draw the right and timely conclusions for the own planning of all JSEC information and communication activities is essential.
b. Professional Contacts
The incumbent is required to communicate and exchange information internally inside JSEC headquarters and externally with SHAPE or other NATO headquarters with regard to IEA matters, whereby the communication and the information exchange with the Intelligence area of JSEC is of particular importance. He / she will represent JSEC StratCom positions in an appropriate manner and will discuss IEA issues in direct contacts or in any NATO conferences, meetings and boards.
c. Contribution to Objectives
As the SME IEA the incumbent contributes to the information environment assessment (IEA) under lead of SHAPE J10 STRATCOM and contributes to JSEC’s permanent awareness of the situation in the information environment. As the efficient IEA is the main pre-condition for the sufficient planning of all JSEC information & communication activities he / she will contribute to the development of JSEC StratCom documents as integral part of the JSEC planning and decision-making processes. This will include the contribution to the development of permanent or annual JSEC StratCom documents, e.g. the annual JSEC integrated communications plan (ICP).The ICP is coordinating all communication related JSEC activities and therefore assists staff bring communication to life in a coordinated and coherent way while continuous practical integration into every day planning and the execution effort is vital for success.With the evaluation of all own JSEC information and communication activities he / she will provide the basis for the permanent message alignment and the coordination & synchronization of all JSEC Activities to shape a supportive information environment in support of NATO or JSEC objectives.
7. Contract
a. Serving NATO International Civilian staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations.
b. In accordance with current policy, newly recruited staff will be offered a three-year contract which may be extended, subject to a satisfactory recommendation, to an indefinite duration contract.
c. Salary/Benefits: The salary is tax free including (where eligible) expatriation, family and children's allowances and additional privileges for expatriate staff; Education allowance for children (where appropriate) and an excellent private health insurance scheme; Generous annual leave and home leave (if eligible); Retirement Pension Plan.
8. Notes for Candidates
a. Applications must be submitted using the e-recruitment system. Applications and other documents will not be reviewed if sent through other formats (including email, social network, etc). Candidates should particularly note: When completing the application form using NATO Talent Acquisition Platform, you are able to add attachments. Only attachments specifically asked for as part of the application process will be considered.
b. Particular attention should be given to Education and Experience section of your application form, which should be populated with details of your career to date and educational achievements and certifications as they relate to your application.
c. All pre-screening questions should be answered completely. Expressions such as: “please see attached CV, please see annex, please see enclosed document, etc” are not acceptable.
d. Before you apply, we encourage you to watch this 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? This video contains the information you need to successfully submit your application on time.
e. After review of your online application, successful candidates will usually be asked to complete a pre-recorded video interview. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to the final assessments.
f. Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance, approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser, verification of the academic background and work experience.
g. 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.
h. The candidature of NATO redundant staff at grade G15 will be considered with priority.
i. 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.
9. Additional information
a. About Ulm: Ulm distinguishes itself as one of Germany's most livable cities by seamlessly blending a high-tech professional landscape with an exceptional quality of life. As a major innovation hub home to the "Science Park," it is known for its academic and business ecosystem in biotech and AI, while its strategic importance is further underscored by the presence of the NATO Joint Support and Enabling Command (JSEC). Stationed at the Wilhelmsburg Barracks, JSEC serves as a vital multinational headquarters responsible for the rapid movement and sustainability of forces across Europe, reinforcing Ulm’s role as a key "hub" in continental security. This global significance is balanced by a convenient "15-minute city" infrastructure that ensures almost everything is accessible by public transport, foot, bike, or a short car ride. Residents enjoy a unique harmony between the charm of the historic city center and the natural beauty of the Danube, all while benefiting from a safe, clean environment, excellent healthcare infrastructure and high-speed connections to major cities like Munich or Stuttgart.
b. 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.
c. 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 along with documented medical evidence to support your request.
d. All JSEC personnel are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the current NATO Code of Conduct as agreed by the North Atlantic Council (NAC), and thus display the core values of integrity, impartiality, loyalty, accountability, and professionalism.
e. Due to the broad interest in HQ JSEC and the large number of potential candidates, telephone or email enquiries cannot be dealt with.
f. For more information on JSEC, please visit our website.
g. This vacancy will be closed on 30 August 2026, at 11:59:00 PM (CET)