Primary Location: Ukraine-Kyiv
Other Locations: Belgium-Brussels
NATO Body: NATO International Staff (NATO IS)
Schedule: Full-time
Application Deadline: 03-Mar-2026, 12:59:00 AM
Salary (Pay Basis): 13,392.14
Grade: NATO Grade G23
NOTE: Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the country is rated by the NATO Office of Security as an extreme risk location. This means that special security measures apply for people assigned or traveling there, which includes restrictions on movement and on accommodation. Moreover, it is essential that NATO International Civilians receive Civilian Pre‑deployment Training (CPDT) or similar training, such as Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT), before taking up the assignment or prior to travel.
Summary
The NATO Representation to Ukraine (NRU) facilitates political and military dialogue and cooperation between the Alliance and Ukraine, as well as coordinating NATO’s practical support to Ukraine. As the Deputy Senior Representative, the incumbent directs and implements cooperation between NATO and Ukraine. The incumbent represents the NRU in all matters related to the office and leads the office in the absence of the Senior Representative.
Key Challenges
Enhancing NATO-Ukraine political and military dialogue with a view to strengthening political, military and other practical support to Ukraine;
Managing over 80 staff members under difficult security conditions in an office undergoing construction and enhancement;
Ensuring effective cooperation with Divisions and Independent Offices at NATO HQ, SHAPE, NSATU and other NATO entities, in a dynamic and fast shifting environment of highest priority for the Alliance.
Qualifications and Experience
Possess a university degree in a relevant field; preferably a graduate degree (Masters or PhD);
Have 15 years of relevant and progressively responsible experience in politics, security and defence affairs;
Possess recent experience in senior management roles and at least 5 years leading and coordinating large, cross‑functional teams within sizeable governmental organisations or defence industry, preferably in an International Organisation, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or a Ministry of Defence with a proven track record of leadership;
Be familiar with civilian and military interrelationships in Allied and partner nations, and between NATO HQ and the NATO Strategic Commands;
Have experience in change management and managing operations in multilateral and multi‑cultural environments;
Have experience in the integration of complex political and military issues;
Possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other.
Advantage
Recent experience of working in Ukraine and intermediate level of knowledge in Ukrainian.
The ideal candidate should be prepared to work outside regular office hours, under demanding conditions and travel when required.
Main Accountabilities
Vision and Direction: Develop, communicate and implement a vision to successfully meet the challenges of NRU. Federate the team around common objectives, ensuring that vision guides its mid and long‑term programme of work, including a structured approach to crisis management and optimised, streamlined decision making in a complex environment. Play an important role and support the NATO decision‑making process on political, fundraising and operational issues and contribute to the development of NATO’s overall approach to Ukraine.
Policy Development: Provide advice and political‑military assessments to the Senior Representative and, through him/her, to the Secretary General, the Office of the Secretary General and the North Atlantic Council (NAC) on the subjects under the NRU’s responsibility, with a particular focus on maintaining political and practical support to Ukraine. In addition, oversee the development of concepts, strategies, food for thought papers, draft political‑military advice, and prepare items to be discussed at the NAC, the NATO‑Ukraine Council (NUC) and subordinate groups and committees.
Planning and Execution: Oversee the operation of the office, in particular ensuring a sound financial and administrative foundation, in close coordination with the Office of the Financial Controller and the NATO Human Resources at NATO HQ. Prepare contingency plans for the effective management of issues that may arise in all areas of work, in particular on security.
People Management: Act as a role model of inclusive leadership and promote resilience, flexibility and innovation. Provide in‑depth mentoring, coaching and training opportunities and be available to offer guidance at critical moments. Promote integrity, transparency, professionalism and accountability. Ensure that staff are treated equitably, are clear on their objectives, and are provided with fair performance feedback.
Representation of the Organization: Support the Secretary General, the Senior Representative and other NATO senior leadership by carrying out representational tasks on their behalf associated with NATO’s support to Ukraine. Represent NATO for high‑level visiting groups, in international conferences, events and missions, including in Ukraine, and in contacts with other International Organisations.
Perform any other related duty as assigned.
Interrelationships
Reporting Line: The Deputy Senior Representative reports to the Senior Representative.
Interactions: The Deputy Senior Representative maintains close working relationships across the NRU, the Office of the Secretary General and liaises with other NATO Divisions, the International Military Staff, SHAPE, NSATU, Allied delegations and partner nations, in order to ensure proper coordination and communication regarding activities of the NRU. The Deputy Representative also maintains regular contact with officials from other International Organisations.
Direct Reports: 7
Indirect Reports: 9
Competencies
Achievement: Sets and works to meet challenging goals.
Change Leadership: Champions change.
Conceptual Thinking: Creates new concepts.
Developing Others: Provides in‑depth mentoring, coaching and training.
Impact and Influence: Uses complex influence strategies.
Initiative: Plans and acts for the long‑term.
Leadership: Communicates a compelling vision.
Organisational Awareness: Understands underlying issues.
Self‑Control: Stays composed and positive even under extreme pressure.
Contract
Contract to be offered to the successful applicant (if non‑seconded): definite duration contract of one year; possibility of renewal for up to two years.
Contract clause applicable: This post is required for a limited period to support the NRU. As employment in this post is of limited duration, the successful applicant will be offered a definite duration contract of one‑year duration, which may be renewed for a period of up to 2 years if required to support the NRU.
If the successful applicant is seconded from the national administration of one of NATO’s member States, a one‑year definite duration contract will be offered, which may be renewed for a period of up to two years if required to support the NRU, and subject also to the agreement of the national authority concerned.
Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations.
Useful Information Regarding Application and Recruitment Process
For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal (link).
For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment
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Application Requirements
When submitting your application, please ensure that your Taleo Candidate Profile is updated and that your CV is correctly uploaded in the Taleo attachments section.
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 studies 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 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.
Diversity and Inclusion
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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