SUMMARY

• The Operations Division of the NATO International Staff prepares NATO for the defence of Alliance territory, responds to crises at home and abroad, and strengthens partner capabilities.
• The Current Operations Section (COPS) leads the NATO Advisory and Liaison Team (NALT) in Kosovo and provides 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 KFOR Headquarters.
• The incumbent supports NALT leadership by operationalising NATO's political and strategic guidance and policy, integrating it into capacity building efforts in line with the NALT Terms of Reference, and coordinating NATO support to the NALT.

KEY CHALLENGES (next 3–5 years)

• Support the management of the NALT as part of a multinational team — particularly budget administration, force generation and personnel issues — working closely with the Operations Division and NATO Military Authorities.
• Ensure coherent and coordinated delivery of capacity building efforts in line with NATO policy, with full transparency and accountability.
• Maintain dialogue, negotiate and build cooperation with local and international stakeholders under the Director NALT's guidance, aligning international efforts and reinforcing NATO's impact and credibility in Kosovo.
• Candidates must also submit, alongside the application form, a Word or PDF document of max. two A4 pages outlining their views on these challenges and how they would address them.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Required:

• University degree in international relations or a related field.
• At least 10 years of experience in progressively responsible positions in international affairs and crisis management, including at least 5 years in team management and coordination.
• Sound judgement, discretion and diplomacy in handling complex political and sensitive staff issues.
• Experience planning, implementing, monitoring and assessing international support efforts under the mandate of an international organisation.
• NATO official languages: level V ("Advanced") in English and level I ("Beginner") in French.

Considered an advantage:

• Experience working with and briefing high-level groups or committees.
• Very good understanding of Alliance military structures.
• Experience in operational theatres or post-conflict areas.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Vision and Direction: Develop, communicate and implement a vision for the NALT team in a changing political and security environment; champion change, federate the team around common objectives, and act as a role model of inclusive leadership promoting resilience, flexibility and innovation.
• People Management: Provide mentoring, coaching and training; ensure staff are clear on organisational objectives; give regular and fair performance feedback, informally and through the HQ Achievement and Development (ADP) system.
• Project Management: Ensure programmes and projects adhere to political and strategic guidance and NATO policy; provide assessments, analysis and advice on the political/military situation in Kosovo; oversee day-to-day administrative and financial management of an office of military, civilian and locally hired staff.
• Representation of the Organisation: Represent NALT in various fora, communicating the political and military aspects of NATO's engagement in Kosovo; harmonise efforts through regular interaction with Kosovo institutions and security organisations, other international organisations and diplomatic missions; maintain a network of relationships in theatre.
• Perform any other related duties as assigned.

INTERRELATIONSHIPS

• Reports to ASG/OPS through the Head, Current Operations Section.
• Liaises with KFOR and NATO HQ representatives in Brussels, particularly from OPS; works closely with other divisions and NATO Military Authorities.
• Direct reports: 11 | Indirect reports: N/A

COMPETENCIES

• 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 under extreme pressure.

SUMMARY

• The Operations Division of the NATO International Staff prepares NATO for the defence of Alliance territory, responds to crises at home and abroad, and strengthens partner capabilities.
• The Current Operations Section (COPS) leads the NATO Advisory and Liaison Team (NALT) in Kosovo and provides 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 KFOR Headquarters.
• The incumbent supports NALT leadership by operationalising NATO's political and strategic guidance and policy, integrating it into capacity building efforts in line with the NALT Terms of Reference, and coordinating NATO support to the NALT.

KEY CHALLENGES (next 3–5 years)

• Support the management of the NALT as part of a multinational team — particularly budget administration, force generation and personnel issues — working closely with the Operations Division and NATO Military Authorities.
• Ensure coherent and coordinated delivery of capacity building efforts in line with NATO policy, with full transparency and accountability.
• Maintain dialogue, negotiate and build cooperation with local and international stakeholders under the Director NALT's guidance, aligning international efforts and reinforcing NATO's impact and credibility in Kosovo.
• Candidates must also submit, alongside the application form, a Word or PDF document of max. two A4 pages outlining their views on these challenges and how they would address them.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Required:

• University degree in international relations or a related field.
• At least 10 years of experience in progressively responsible positions in international affairs and crisis management, including at least 5 years in team management and coordination.
• Sound judgement, discretion and diplomacy in handling complex political and sensitive staff issues.
• Experience planning, implementing, monitoring and assessing international support efforts under the mandate of an international organisation.
• NATO official languages: level V ("Advanced") in English and level I ("Beginner") in French.

Considered an advantage:

• Experience working with and briefing high-level groups or committees.
• Very good understanding of Alliance military structures.
• Experience in operational theatres or post-conflict areas.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Vision and Direction: Develop, communicate and implement a vision for the NALT team in a changing political and security environment; champion change, federate the team around common objectives, and act as a role model of inclusive leadership promoting resilience, flexibility and innovation.
• People Management: Provide mentoring, coaching and training; ensure staff are clear on organisational objectives; give regular and fair performance feedback, informally and through the HQ Achievement and Development (ADP) system.
• Project Management: Ensure programmes and projects adhere to political and strategic guidance and NATO policy; provide assessments, analysis and advice on the political/military situation in Kosovo; oversee day-to-day administrative and financial management of an office of military, civilian and locally hired staff.
• Representation of the Organisation: Represent NALT in various fora, communicating the political and military aspects of NATO's engagement in Kosovo; harmonise efforts through regular interaction with Kosovo institutions and security organisations, other international organisations and diplomatic missions; maintain a network of relationships in theatre.
• Perform any other related duties as assigned.

INTERRELATIONSHIPS

• Reports to ASG/OPS through the Head, Current Operations Section.
• Liaises with KFOR and NATO HQ representatives in Brussels, particularly from OPS; works closely with other divisions and NATO Military Authorities.
• Direct reports: 11 | Indirect reports: N/A

COMPETENCIES

• 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 under extreme pressure.