Staff Officer (China Strategic Policy)

POST CONTEXT

Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) provides an integrated Strategic Effects framework, employing a multi-domain and multi-region focus to create a 360‑degree approach, with the flexibility to enable, upon direction, a seamless transition from Baseline Activities and Current Operations (BACO) up to the Maximum Level of Effort (MLE). SHAPE supports SACEUR in fulfilling his terms of reference, as directed by the North Atlantic Council.

The Plans Directorate is responsible for the development, review and maintenance of Strategic Planning, Advanced Planning and Crisis Planning products for ACO. The J5 Division leads the overarching strategic campaign and operations planning processes to prepare for and respond to crises and conflicts that threaten the security and integrity of the Alliance. The Strategic Policy Branch is responsible for the development of strategic policy and concepts in its area of expertise for ACO.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

• Conduct preliminary research and data compilation on Chinese military strategy and PLA (People's Liberation Army) modernization to inform reporting and briefings.
• Track developments in NATO's China‑related policies, maintaining a living reference repository to support policy harmonization across J5 and related branches.
• Support the development of reports and relevant material about China.
• Pre‑screen documents and stakeholder inputs for relevance, consistency, and implications before review.
• Support the management of tasking calendars and deliverable timelines to ensure alignment and plan and coordinate internal meetings on China.
• Support representation at working‑level engagements when required, providing reliable follow‑up and continuity.
• Track and update China‑related Lessons Identified and Lessons Learned across NATO stakeholders.
• Maintain task trackers and calendars, ensuring alignment of deliverables with deadlines and internal dependencies.
• Support the coordination of working‑level policy harmonization by identifying overlaps or divergence in perspectives, and flagging issues for escalation.

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.

The work is normally performed in a Normal NATO office working environment. Normal Working Conditions apply. The risk of injury is categorised as No risk / risk might increase when deployed.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

a. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of two years of professional experience in a national or international defence organisation, focused on China‑related issues in a strategic or operational capacity.
• Academic or policy experience related to China's military strategy with demonstrated ability to connect analysis to operational or doctrinal implications.
• Understanding of NATO's political‑military processes, including NAC‑MC direction, strategic planning cycles, and coordination mechanisms.
• Experience integrating China‑related intelligence, foresight, and trend analysis into actionable military assessments and recommendations.
• Ability to communicate, negotiate and liaise with relevant stakeholders to achieve optimum outcomes.

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.
• In case of ambiguity the required job‑specific experience has priority over the standard education and training levels and experience described here.

c. LANGUAGE

• English – SLP 4444 (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

a. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Previous work experience in a Joint environment and/or NATO environment.
• Previous work experience in a political/military advisory role.

b. EDUCATION/TRAINING

• Master's degree in international relations, political science, security studies or similar.

ATTRIBUTES/COMPETENCIES

• Personal Attributes: The incumbent is expected to approach problem solving from a comprehensive inter‑disciplinary perspective, be capable of multitasking, and be willing to work outside normal working hours. The incumbent must demonstrate proactivity, results orientation, and the ability to prioritize competing demands to maximise productivity and efficiency. The incumbent must be capable of translating general guidance into workable proposals and deliverables, and must show a high level of maturity and ability to work under pressure and tight timelines.
• Professional Contacts: The incumbent will be required to coordinate with personnel from across SHAPE and ACO commands.
• Contribution to Objectives: The work of this post will impact operations assessment collective training across NATO. The post will have direct impact on the way this will be established and conducted over the next period.

REMARKS

Duration of contract: 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 will exceptionally be considered for extension.

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.

EEO STATEMENT

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.

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.