OPEN TO NATIONALS OF NATO MEMBER STATES ONLY
Please note that the competition for this post will take place in Brussels and is tentatively scheduled to be completed by first quarter of 2027.
1.Post Context
The Joint Intelligence and Security Division (JISD), under the leadership of the Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence and Security (ASG-I&S), comprises two principal pillars: Intelligence – headed by the Deputy ASG for Intelligence; and the NATO Office of Security (NOS) – headed by the Deputy ASG for Security.
The Intelligence Pillar of the Joint Intelligence and Security Division (JISD) provides NATO HQ customers with timely, reliable, impartial, relevant and coherent all-source non-agreed Intelligence in response to tasks, work plan requirements and/or developing situations, and staffs the production of NATO Agreed Intelligence (NAI). The JISD is responsible for developing and staffing intelligence policy. The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary General Intelligence (DASG-I) provides support to DASG-I in the areas of: engagement support; information, advice, and preparation support. The Office also provides the Secretariat for the NATO Military Intelligence Committee (MIC), the primary military advisory body to the North Atlantic Council (NAC).
The Intelligence Production Unit (IPU) in the Joint Intelligence and Security Division (JISD) addresses the range of non-agreed strategic intelligence analysis, to support appropriate NATO HQ authorities, including the SG, the CMC and the ASG-I&S, as well as committees, including the NAC and the MC, as well as the IS and IMS divisions and directorates.
The incumbent will work within the Geospatial Section of the Situation Centre as the focal point for all Geospatial Intelligence matters. The Geospatial Section is responsible for ensuring the provision and designation of geospatial information through the NATO Secret network at NATO Headquarters, in support of senior decision-makers, intelligence analysts, relevant committees, task forces and exercises. The Geospatial Section ensures the provision, availability and quality of geospatial information essential to the planning and execution of critical activities closely related to the Council, the Military Committee and NATO Delegations. They are also responsible for management of the Geo Section IT resources, budget and staff as well as maintaining liaison with the Geospatial Departments of the Strategic Commands and other international organisations as mandated by the NATO Geospatial Policy (MC 296/4) and NATO GEOINT Policy (MC 0677). Additionally, the Head, Geospatial Section contributes to the definition of NATO wide Geospatial policy.
The GEOINT Data Architect, under the authority of the Director of the IPU for intelligence matters, and directly supervised by the Geospatial Section Head is responsible for the design, development, deployment and monitoring of data-driven GEOINT systems at NATO HQ. S/He will act as the focal point for GEOINT data, products and tools at NATO HQ and will closely coordinate efforts with other GEOINT entities from NATO Intelligence Enterprise, as well as the NATO Advisory Committee for GEOINT and Imagery Intelligence (IMINT) and the NATO Advisory Committee on GEOINT and IMINT (NACGI).
2.Principal Duties
Duties are to:
Design, create, maintain and improve the GEOINT tools and data infrastructure to guarantee timely access to content for the creation of GEOINT products at NATO HQ;
Design and implement effective data architecture and data management practices for NATO HQ GEOINT applications and physical data modelling according to project requirements;
Provide guidance and advice concerning data architecture, data management systems and data acquisition to improve the GEOINT data exploitation for decision making processes at NATO HQ;
Coordinate with other divisions in NATO HQ and other relevant stakeholders for the definition, prioritization and deconfliction of Data Exploitation projects and efforts related to the NATO Digital Transformation;
Represent the Geo & Space Services Section in the Data exploitation working group, the Innovation board and any other relevant meetings in NATO HQ;
Provide advice and expertise and represent the Geo Section Head in GEOINT related working groups and committees;
Advice the Head Geo & Space Services Section in the development of NATO GEO and GEOINT Policies in coordination with other relevant stakeholders;
Participate in technical trainings, seminars and conferences and actively work to keep his/her GIS and GEOINT knowledge up to date;
As directed by the Section Head, engage and collaborate with relevant GEOINT departments across NATO Enterprise, NATO nations, as well as from other International Organizations, such as EU and others;
3.Special Requirements and Additional Duties
The incumbent may be called to deputize for the Geo & Space Services Section Head in their absence;
The incumbent may be required to perform additional related duties, albeit in a different organizational element, to that which the individual normally works;
The incumbent will be required to undertake TDY assignments both within and outside of NATO’s boundaries;
The incumbent will be required to perform a role in the IMS Crisis Management Organisation during exercises and in times of tension, crisis and war;
The incumbent may be required to undertake applicable training/courses when assuming the post or during appointment;
The incumbent may be required to work irregular hours.
4.Essential Qualifications
a.Professional/Experience
Minimum 6 years’ experience across data architecture, modelling and data schema design and development;
At least 5 years’ experience with graph, NoSQL, SQL or other relational and non-relational database technologies;
At least 3 years’ experience in architectural design, planning, and implementation of data driven projects and capabilities for GEOINT.
Relevant experience working with geospatial big-data data tools and technologies, including data extraction, conversion, and manipulation;
Experience working in an international environment comprised of both military and civilian elements;
Computer Literacy: Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and of SharePoint.
b.Education/Training
University degree at Bachelor level in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics or in a related field.
c.Language
Candidates must have an advanced level of spoken and written English. The working language in the IMS is English and therefore candidates will be required to pass a one-hour multiple-choice computer-based test in English at the required level as well as to demonstrate their abilities in the written test and interview.
5.Desirable Qualifications
Relevant experience and/or certification in Project Management, such as PRINCE2 or PMI Project Management Professional (PMP);
Advanced knowledge and relevant experience working with Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning technologies, in particular for GEO AI applications;
Knowledge of NATO’s geographical organizations and practices;
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, in technical and non-technical areas.
b.Education/Training
Post-graduate/Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning and/or professional accreditation in GEOINT.
c.Language
An elementary level of French.
6.Personal Attributes/ Competencies
1.Have awareness and good judgment of political and social sensitivities of different NATO bodies, entities and Nations and be able to discern how these interests and responsibilities interact;
2.Have a sense of diplomacy, propriety and team culture in order to work harmoniously and effectively with colleagues and other staff at all levels, both military and civilian of various nationalities and cultural backgrounds;
3.He/she must demonstrate the following competencies:
Relevant experience and/or certification in Project Management, such as PRINCE2 or PMI Project Management Professional (PMP);
Advanced knowledge and relevant experience working with Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning technologies, in particular for GEO AI applications;
Knowledge of NATO’s geographical organizations and practices;
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, in technical and non-technical areas.
7.Managerial Responsibilities
In charge of one’s own daily work priorities. The GEOINT Data is responsible for the design, development, deployment and monitoring of data-driven GEOINT systems at NATO HQ, including budgetary planning and executions.S/He will act as the focal point for GEOINT data, products and tools at NATO HQ and will closely coordinate efforts with other GEOINT entities from NATO Intelligence Enterprise, as well as the NATO Advisory Committee for GEOINT and IMINT (NACGI).
S/He will manage the activity of the GEOINT Team within the Section and act as the Section’s deputy Head, when required.
8.Professional Contacts
Regular contacts, internal at HQ level and external with SHAPE and NATO Command Structure (NCS) related to GEOINT offices within the NCS, NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre (NIFC) GEOINT Branch.Additionally, the incumbent will maintain liaison with the NATO Data and AI, Innovation and Digital Transformation Communities.
9.Contribution to the Objectives
The incumbent will directly contribute to the daily running GEOINT activities within the Geo & Space Services Section, supporting its customers and ongoing projects, contributing towards the achievements of the Section mission and ensuring the development of GEOINT efforts to increase the situational awareness of senior leadership in NATO HQ.
10.Remarks
Security Clearance – NATO COSMIC TOP SECRET (if not currently held, the incumbent must be eligible for this level of clearance).
Work Environment – Multinational work environment and work with groups where members represent sovereign Nations.
11.How to apply
Applications must be submitted by 18 October 2026 (23:59 Brussels time) using one of the following links, as applicable:
For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal (for more information, please contact your local Civilian HR Manager);
For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment
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, resubmit the application.
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.
12.Additional Information
The successful candidate will fill this post as a Project linked NATO International Civilian (PLN) with a three-year definite duration contract within the NATO 2030 Agenda. On expiry of this term, the PLN will be deleted or absorbed into the ceiling pending approval or, exceptionally, will be considered for extension. The above remains applicable also if the successful candidate is seconded from a national administration. Serving NATO international civilian personnel will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations.
Appointment will be subject to the deliverance of the appropriate security clearance by the national authorities and approval of the medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser.
Technical written assessment will be held as part of the selection procedure.
Applicants who meet the necessary requirements and who prove to be competent but who are not appointed to a vacancy as a result of this particular competition, may be considered for posts of a similar nature, albeit at a lower grade, which may become vacant in the near future.
NATO as an employer values diverse backgrounds and perspectives and is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and talented workforce.
NATO welcomes applications of nationals from all Member States 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.
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 IMS at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, is committed to providing equality in working opportunities regardless of sex, race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, age or sexual orientation.
The IMS is a non-smoking environment.
For information about the NATO Single Salary Scale (Grading, Allowances, etc.) please visit ourwebsite. 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.