- International Staff, NATO HQ
- Brussels, Belgium (Remote)
- Full-time
Assistant Legal Adviser
- International Staff, NATO HQ
Brussels, Belgium
Full-time
Published:
Application Deadline: April 10, 2025
- International Staff, NATO HQ
Brussels, Belgium
Full-time
Published:
Application Deadline: April 10, 2025
SUMMARY:
The Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) at NATO headquarters in Brussels is an Independent Office within the International Staff (IS). It is responsible for providing advice and other legal services to the Secretary General, the IS, the North Atlantic Council and other NATO Committees. From time to time, OLA also advises NATO subsidiary bodies, including Agencies, as well as the NATO Allies directly.
Substantively, OLA advises on all legal matters impacting the responsibilities, functions, operations and other activities of NATO. This includes advice under international law on high-profile and fast-paced international defence and security matters, the development of associated policy, the facilitation of consensus amongst Allies on strategic legal issues, the negotiation and drafting of international treaties, defending NATO’s privileges and immunities, conducting litigation, and other administrative law matters typical of a large international organisation.
OLA is also mandated to represent the wider legal interests of the whole Organisation, including by improving legal coordination across different NATO bodies, by advising on some of the most complex or sensitive legal issues impacting Allies, and in representation before the Administrative Tribunal on cross-cutting legal issues.
The incumbent works as an Assistant Legal Adviser within the core legal team at the heart of NATO HQ. Whilst expected to advice, as a legal generalist, on a variety of questions of international and domestic law, the focus of their work is on questions of public international and administrative law arising in respect of emerging and disruptive technologies (EDTs), such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, or quantum technology. The incumbent is also expected to provide legal advice on legal issues arising from cyber and hybrid threats. They are expected to exercise initiative and creativity and manage a wide-ranging set of legal issues and to accept responsibility for bringing matters to completion and achieving set objectives and required outcomes, working effectively both with colleagues within the IS and representatives of Allied Nations.
In addition, the incumbent may support the OLA team in other fields of relevance to the Organisation. They work to a wide and demanding portfolio, maintain and develop contacts with clients, and help manage the day-to-day running of the office.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
Essential
The incumbent must:
Desirable
The following would be considered an advantage:
MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Expertise Development
Apply knowledge and experience to identify the legal implications/interpretation of internal rules and regulations as required. Follow major activities in the field of international law,administrative law and laws governing other International Organisations, as well as international or national courts with a direct impact on assigned tasks or projects. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legal publications and jurisprudence in the field of international law. Plan, research and prepare decisions on questions of legal and policy matters. Draft and, as required, assist in discussing and reviewing policies for use within NATO. Initiate organisational policies when required and contribute to the monitoring of compliance with those policies.
Knowledge Management
Analyse the legal questions affecting the Organization and NATO-led operations under international and applicable national law, including host nation law. Assist or represent the Office of Legal Affairs, as required, in the preparation and discussion of agreements, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) or other legal documents to be concluded by NATO.
Information Management
Prepare various legal documents. As required, prepare and give briefings/lectures on the legal aspects of NATO related subjects.
Stakeholder Management
Support the Legal Adviser/Director in providing advice to officials of the Organization on legal issues related to assigned fields of work. Assist, as requested, in preparation for, or conduct, the defence of the Organization before any internal or external Tribunal, in coordination with other subsidiary bodies as well as military Headquarters. As required, represent the Office of Legal Affairs in meetings of relevant Committees, Task Forces, Boards, Panels and Working Groups, as well as at external seminars, conferences or other meetings. Maintain and develop contacts NATO-wide, including with NATO member States, as well as with external legal offices.
People Management
As assigned, assist or represent the Legal Adviser/Director, as required, working with staff or interns implementing particular projects.
Project Management
As assigned, prepare and contribute to project work coming out of NATO 2030, including EDTs. Assume accountability and drive projects/initiatives to completion. Find timely and creative solutions to problems that meet client and Organizational needs and priorities, while respecting rules and procedures.
Perform any other related duty as assigned.
INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
The Assistant Legal Adviser works under the overall management of the Legal Adviser/Director and the operational supervision of the Senior Assistant Legal Adviser and Deputy Legal Adviser, and collaborates closely with the other members of the Office of Legal Affairs. They have contacts with the Private Office of the Secretary General and all other Divisions and entities at NATO HQ, including national delegations, as well as with other NATO bodies. In the exercise of their duties, they have contact with and represent the Office of Legal Affairs vis-a-vis the member States as well as other non-NATO states and organisations. The incumbent must be able to maintain good working relationships with NATO, national and other officials.
COMPETENCIES:
The incumbent must demonstrate:
CONTRACT:
Contract to be offered to the successful applicant (if non-seconded): Definite duration contract until 31/07/2028.
Contract clause applicable
USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries. Applications must be submitted using e-recruitment system, as applicable:
Before you apply to any position, we encourage you to click here and watch our 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? Click here for a video containing the information you need to successfully submit your application on time.
More information about the recruitment process and conditions of employment, can be found at our website (http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/recruit-hq-e.htm).
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 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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
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.
The Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) at NATO headquarters in Brussels is an Independent Office within the International Staff (IS). It is responsible for providing advice and other legal services to the Secretary General, the IS, the North Atlantic Council and other NATO Committees. From time to time, OLA also advises NATO subsidiary bodies, including Agencies, as well as the NATO Allies directly.
Substantively, OLA advises on all legal matters impacting the responsibilities, functions, operations and other activities of NATO. This includes advice under international law on high-profile and fast-paced international defence and security matters, the development of associated policy, the facilitation of consensus amongst Allies on strategic legal issues, the negotiation and drafting of international treaties, defending NATO’s privileges and immunities, conducting litigation, and other administrative law matters typical of a large international organisation.
OLA is also mandated to represent the wider legal interests of the whole Organisation, including by improving legal coordination across different NATO bodies, by advising on some of the most complex or sensitive legal issues impacting Allies, and in representation before the Administrative Tribunal on cross-cutting legal issues.
The incumbent works as an Assistant Legal Adviser within the core legal team at the heart of NATO HQ. Whilst expected to advice, as a legal generalist, on a variety of questions of international and domestic law, the focus of their work is on questions of public international and administrative law arising in respect of emerging and disruptive technologies (EDTs), such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, or quantum technology. The incumbent is also expected to provide legal advice on legal issues arising from cyber and hybrid threats. They are expected to exercise initiative and creativity and manage a wide-ranging set of legal issues and to accept responsibility for bringing matters to completion and achieving set objectives and required outcomes, working effectively both with colleagues within the IS and representatives of Allied Nations.
In addition, the incumbent may support the OLA team in other fields of relevance to the Organisation. They work to a wide and demanding portfolio, maintain and develop contacts with clients, and help manage the day-to-day running of the office.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
Essential
The incumbent must:
- Have a university degree in law from an institute of recognised standing and professional legal qualifications as appropriate;
- Have at least 5 years’ working experience in legal matters relevant for this position, including in matters of administrative law;
- Demonstrate the ability to produce high-quality legal advice in a timely and effective manner to address customer’s needs;
- Have experience working in an international environment;
- Have experience in an International Organisation, national ministry or similar context, providing legal advice, including on policy issues;
- Have the capacity to analyse and synthesize information to identify key issues;
- Possess the aptitude for critical analysis and creative problem solving;
- Have strong drive for teamwork, good negotiation skills and a good feel for crosscultural differences;
- Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and a high level of confidentiality;
- Be able to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
- Possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; III (“Intermediate”) in the other.
Desirable
The following would be considered an advantage:
- Specialized postgraduate studies or equivalent experience in area of public international law;
- Knowledge of NATO structure, missions, policies, practices and procedures;
- Knowledge of the legal framework applicable to international defence and security matters;
- Knowledge of legal issues associated with emerging disruptive technologies (AI, autonomy etc.), cyber, hybrid, space and the law of the sea;
- A level of VI (“Proficient”) in English;
- Any relevant publications or contributions to scholarship.
MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Expertise Development
Apply knowledge and experience to identify the legal implications/interpretation of internal rules and regulations as required. Follow major activities in the field of international law,administrative law and laws governing other International Organisations, as well as international or national courts with a direct impact on assigned tasks or projects. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legal publications and jurisprudence in the field of international law. Plan, research and prepare decisions on questions of legal and policy matters. Draft and, as required, assist in discussing and reviewing policies for use within NATO. Initiate organisational policies when required and contribute to the monitoring of compliance with those policies.
Knowledge Management
Analyse the legal questions affecting the Organization and NATO-led operations under international and applicable national law, including host nation law. Assist or represent the Office of Legal Affairs, as required, in the preparation and discussion of agreements, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) or other legal documents to be concluded by NATO.
Information Management
Prepare various legal documents. As required, prepare and give briefings/lectures on the legal aspects of NATO related subjects.
Stakeholder Management
Support the Legal Adviser/Director in providing advice to officials of the Organization on legal issues related to assigned fields of work. Assist, as requested, in preparation for, or conduct, the defence of the Organization before any internal or external Tribunal, in coordination with other subsidiary bodies as well as military Headquarters. As required, represent the Office of Legal Affairs in meetings of relevant Committees, Task Forces, Boards, Panels and Working Groups, as well as at external seminars, conferences or other meetings. Maintain and develop contacts NATO-wide, including with NATO member States, as well as with external legal offices.
People Management
As assigned, assist or represent the Legal Adviser/Director, as required, working with staff or interns implementing particular projects.
Project Management
As assigned, prepare and contribute to project work coming out of NATO 2030, including EDTs. Assume accountability and drive projects/initiatives to completion. Find timely and creative solutions to problems that meet client and Organizational needs and priorities, while respecting rules and procedures.
Perform any other related duty as assigned.
INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
The Assistant Legal Adviser works under the overall management of the Legal Adviser/Director and the operational supervision of the Senior Assistant Legal Adviser and Deputy Legal Adviser, and collaborates closely with the other members of the Office of Legal Affairs. They have contacts with the Private Office of the Secretary General and all other Divisions and entities at NATO HQ, including national delegations, as well as with other NATO bodies. In the exercise of their duties, they have contact with and represent the Office of Legal Affairs vis-a-vis the member States as well as other non-NATO states and organisations. The incumbent must be able to maintain good working relationships with NATO, national and other officials.
- Direct reports: N/a;
- Indirect reports: N/a.
COMPETENCIES:
The incumbent must demonstrate:
- Achievement: Works to meet standards;
- Analytical Thinking: Sees multiple relationships;
- Clarity and Accuracy: Checks own work;
- Conceptual Thinking: Applies learned concepts;
- Customer Service Orientation: Takes personal responsibility for correcting problems;
- Empathy: Is open to others' perspectives;
- Impact and Influence: Takes multiple actions to persuade;
- Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation;
- Teamwork: Solicits inputs and encourages others.
CONTRACT:
Contract to be offered to the successful applicant (if non-seconded): Definite duration contract until 31/07/2028.
Contract clause applicable
- This post is required for a limited period to support a project. As employment in this post is of limited duration, the successful applicant will be offered a definite duration contract until 31/07/2028;
- If the successful applicant is seconded from the national administration of one of NATO’s member States, a definite duration contract until 31/07/2028 will be offered;
- Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations.
USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries. Applications must be submitted using e-recruitment system, as applicable:
- For NATO civilian staff members only: Please apply via the internal recruitment portal (link);
- For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment.
Before you apply to any position, we encourage you to click here and watch our 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? Click here for a video containing the information you need to successfully submit your application on time.
More information about the recruitment process and conditions of employment, can be found at our website (http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/recruit-hq-e.htm).
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 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.
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.
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