1. SUMMARY
The mission of the Operations Division of the International Staff is to prepare NATO for the defence of Alliance territory, to respond to crises at home and abroad, and to strengthen the capabilities of partners.
The Current Operations Section (COPS) is responsible for the lead of the NATO Advisory and Liaison Team (NALT) in Kosovo and the political oversight of the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) peace support operation.
The Chief of Staff, NALT is based in the NALT office in Pristina within the KFOR Headquarters. The incumbent will support the leadership of the NALT by operationalising NATO’s political and strategic guidance and policy, as well as integrate them into NATO capacity building efforts, in accordance with the NALT Terms of Reference. The incumbent will be responsible for the coordination of NATO support to the NALT.
KEY CHALLENGES
Key challenges facing the successful candidate during the next 3-5 years are likely to include the following:
1. Contribute to a multinational team effort by supporting the management of the NALT, particularly on budget administration, force generation and personnel issues, by working closely with the Operations Division and the NATO Military Authorities.
2. Ensure coherent and coordinated delivery of capacity building efforts in line with NATO policy, ensuring overall transparency and accountability of NATO’s efforts.
3. In accordance with Director NALT guidance, maintain dialogue, negotiate and build cooperative efforts with local and international stakeholders, thereby aligning international efforts and reinforcing NATO’s impact and credibility in Kosovo.
In addition to the application form, candidates are expected to submit a Word or pdf document, maximum of two A4 pages, summarising their views on the key (and possible other) challenges above, and how they would address them if selected for the position.
2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
The incumbent must:
• possess a university degree in international relations, or related fields;
• have at least 10 years of experience in progressively responsible positions in the field of international affairs and crisis management, out of which at least 5 years in team management and coordination;
• demonstrate sound judgement, discretion and diplomacy when dealing with complex political issues and sensitive staff issues;
• have experience in planning, implementing, monitoring, and assessing international support efforts under the mandate of an International Organisation; and
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in English and I (“Beginner”) in French.
The following would be considered an advantage:
• experience working with and briefing high level groups or committees;
• a very good understanding of Alliance military structures; and
• experience in operational theatres, or post conflict areas.
3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES
Vision and Direction: Develop, communicate and implement a vision for the future development of the NALT team in an ever-changing political and security environment. Champion change and federate the team around common objectives, ensuring that vision guides its mid and long-term programme of work. Act as a role model of inclusive leadership and promote resilience, flexibility and innovation.
People Management: Provide in-depth 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 objectives. Provide regular and fair feedback on performance informally as appropriate and via the HQ Achievement and Development (ADP) system.
Project Management: Ensure programme/project adherence to the relevant political and strategic guidance, as well as applicable NATO policy. Provide assessments, extensive analysis, and advice on the general political/military situation and complex and sensitive topics in Kosovo and on a broad range of issues essential to the successful implementation of NATO policies. Oversee the day-to-day administrative and financial management of the office composing of military, civilian, and locally hired staff.
Representation of the Organization: Represent NALT in various fora with the aim of communicating the political and military aspects of the Alliance’s overall engagement and capacity building efforts in Kosovo. Ensure harmonisation of efforts towards a comprehensive engagement through regular interaction with institutions and security organisations in Kosovo, other international organisations, and diplomatic missions. Maintain a network of relationships in theatre to achieve NATO’s objectives.
Perform any other related duty as assigned.
4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS
Reporting Line: The NALT Chief of Staff reports to ASG/OPS through the Head, Current Operations Section.
Interactions: The incumbent will liaise with KFOR, as well as the representatives of NATO HQ in Brussels, particularly from OPS. They work closely with stakeholders in other divisions and NATO Military Authorities.
Direct reports: 11
Indirect reports: N/A
5. 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.
• Organizational Awareness: understands organisational politics.
• Self-Control: stays composed and positive even under extreme pressure.
- For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment
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Please note that the competition for this post is provisionally scheduled as follows:
Final selection on 23 - 24 November 2026, in Brussels, Belgium.
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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 reference documents without proper quotes (plagiarism), or any tools available on internet, including but not limited to translation facilities, or generative artificial-intelligence (AI) 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 tools will be rejected without further consideration, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.
8. 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.
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.