**Primary Location:** Belgium-Brussels
**Other Locations:** United States of America-Norfolk
**NATO Body:** NATO International Staff (NATO IS)
**Schedule:** Full-time
**Application Deadline:** 31-May-2026, 11:59:00 PM
**Salary (Pay Basis):** 5,234.63Euro (EUR) Monthly
**Grade:** NATO Grade G11
In a more dangerous and competitive security environment, NATO continues to do everything needed to keep one billion people across Europe and North America safe — strengthening defences, responding to threats, and working with allies and partners to protect shared interests.
NATO is launching the fourth cycle of its Young Professionals Programme (YPP): a global three-year programme that places you at the frontline of a political and military alliance and starts a journey of personal and professional development. Over the programme, NATO aims to:
– respond to growing dangers 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 and stay ahead in cutting-edge domains such as cyber and space;
– leverage partnerships, including with the EU, individual countries and the private sector;
– contribute to fighting terrorism and instability in NATO’s southern neighbourhood.
If you are a national of a NATO member state, hold a Master’s degree and have at least one year of work experience, apply for the YPP. #WeAreNATO
## Your role
During the three years of the programme, you will be assigned to three different NATO bodies:
**Year 1 — NATO International Military Staff (IMS), NATO HQ** · Work area: International Political Affairs · Placement: Brussels, Belgium
**Year 2 — NATO International Staff (IS), NATO HQ (Political Affairs and Security Policy)** · Work area: International Political Affairs · Placement: Brussels, Belgium
**Year 3 — Allied Command Transformation (ACT)** · Work area: Strategic Promotion and Influence · Placement: Norfolk, Virginia, USA
For more information, see the [path narrative](https://www.nato.int/content/dam/nato/webready/documents/hr/ypp/HR-YPP-path2.pdf), the [NATO bodies involved](https://www.nato.int/en/work-with-us/careers/young-professionals–programme/nato-bodies-involved-ypp) and the [NATO Young Professionals Programme](http://www.nato.int/YPP).
This is an opportunity to apply your knowledge in the broader area of **Policy Analysis & Strategic Engagement**. As you gain experience, your responsibilities may include:
– Contributing to the development and implementation of NATO’s partnership programmes, policies, concepts and frameworks;
– Contributing to strategic engagement campaigns and projects, and advising stakeholders on requirements;
– Developing metrics and KPIs to assess strategic engagement effectiveness, and contributing to evaluation reports;
– Developing and distributing communications products to internal and external audiences;
– Formulating strategies and recommendations, suggesting policy directives and action plans;
– Collaborating on analysis and assessment of crises and conflicts, and strategic planning for campaigns and missions;
– Supporting the drafting of Military Committee policy guidelines and advising on implementation;
– Facilitating policy coordination across NATO HQ divisions and bodies;
– Analysis and development of NATO policy (Russia and Russia-related focus), building expert networks and preparing policy papers for negotiations in the Political Committee;
– Preparing briefing notes, memoranda, speaking notes and background material for committees, Working Groups and high-level meetings;
– Contributing to protocol and liaison services as applicable;
– Building a network of contacts across and outside NATO, including with capitals and academic experts;
– Coordinating projects requiring policy, procedural and resource-planning input;
– Supporting strategic-level influence and promotion campaigns;
– Developing, researching and drafting policy analyses;
– Building the case for innovative new NATO policies at the strategic level;
– Applying change-management skills within NATO’s political and military environment;
– Researching future scenarios that might shape policies;
– Leading projects to shape new policy thinking;
– Researching new trends and innovation in International Political Affairs & Strategic Engagements.
## Who we are looking for
NATO seeks candidates who are flexible, eager to learn and able to work with diverse stakeholders. For a YPP position, candidates need **at least one year of professional experience**.
For the **Policy Analysis & Strategic Engagement** path, the following educational backgrounds are of interest:
– A Master’s degree in political science, international relations, security studies, or another relevant discipline with a strong background in quantitative and qualitative analysis methods (social sciences, marketing, communications, journalism, public administration, business administration or other management disciplines);
– Any other degree you believe is useful to International Political Affairs & Marketing & Strategic Communications — tell us how your knowledge and skills can be applied.
The following experience or skills are considered assets:
– Strong interest & professional experience in international political affairs & policy developments;
– Strong interest & professional experience in communications services functions;
– Experience designing and implementing communications plans (event management, PR, public affairs, government affairs, lobbying, investor relations, marketing, advertising, visual identity, etc.);
– Strong interest & professional experience in defence policy, partnerships or strategic engagement;
– Clear understanding of major current international political and political-military issues;
– Experience in political research and policy analysis, and in preparing reports and briefing packages for high-level meetings;
– Experience in multidisciplinary qualitative and quantitative analysis of crises and conflicts;
– Strong interest & experience in event preparation, planning and execution, and project management;
– Experience liaising with internal and external stakeholders at all levels;
– Excellent analytical & drafting skills;
– Fluency in one of the two NATO official languages (English & French);
– A proactive, can-do attitude and willingness to learn and share information;
– Ability to build relationships across the Alliance; teamwork, communication, facilitation and interpersonal skills.
## What we offer
– An experience of a lifetime at the forefront of an international organisation, developing your skills and network;
– A diverse and stimulating experience across three different NATO bodies, one each year;
– A competitive salary and benefits, including excellent health insurance and a generous annual leave package of 30 days.
Apply by **31 May 2026 [23:59 — Brussels time]**.
## Recruitment process
Applications are only accepted from nationals of NATO member countries, and must be submitted through the e-recruitment system:
– NATO civilian staff members: apply via the internal recruitment portal;
– All other applicants: www.nato.int/recruitment
At interview, candidates must provide evidence of their education and professional experience. Appointment is subject to a security clearance (from the national authorities of the selected candidate) and approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser. More information:
## Additional information
NATO is committed to diversity and inclusion and provides equal access to employment regardless of gender, age, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, cultural background, sexual orientation, and disability. NATO welcomes applications from all member nations and strongly encourages women to apply. Building Integrity is a key element of NATO’s core tasks. The role may at times require travel and/or work outside normal office hours.
