Political Officer NATO

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Position Title: Political Officer NATO
Location: Sarajevo
Country: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organization that assists people forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, and disasters. Established in 1946, NRC operates in over 30 countries, providing aid and support to millions of people in need. The organization is recognized for its commitment to high-quality humanitarian assistance and advocacy for the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons. NRC fosters a culture of responsibility, professional growth, and innovation among its employees, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in its workforce. The organization emphasizes safeguarding and expects all employees to treat everyone with respect and dignity, contributing to a safe environment free from exploitation and harassment.

Job Overview:
The Political Officer NATO will play a crucial role in supporting NATO's objectives in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) through the Political Engagement Support Cell based in Sarajevo. This position involves direct supervision by the Head of the NATO Political Engagement Support Cell and overall direction from the Head of the Partnership West Team. The Political Officer will be responsible for enhancing the liaison between NATO and BiH, providing political advice, facilitating political dialogue, and contributing to NATO's strategic communication efforts in the region. The role requires a deep understanding of the political landscape in BiH and the ability to navigate complex international relations to promote partnership cooperation and implement NATO priorities effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Political Officer NATO will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including:

• Policy Development: Providing political advice and assistance in implementing NATO priorities concerning the NATO-BiH relationship, and complementing assessments and advice to BiH authorities to facilitate partnership cooperation programs with NATO.
• Project Management: Monitoring the implementation of BiH's Reform Programme and contributing to assessments of progress in this area.
• Expertise Development: Offering advice and assistance to NATO officials during their visits to the region.
• Knowledge Management: Preparing regular reports and memoranda on the political and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security situation in BiH, analyzing political developments, and advising NATO HQ on their implications for Alliance policies.
• Stakeholder Management: Liaising with NATO structures, Allied Embassies, partner organizations, BiH officials, and local NGOs to foster collaboration and communication.
• Performing any other related duties as assigned by the Head of the NATO PESC in Sarajevo.

Required Qualifications:
The essential qualifications for the Political Officer NATO position include:

• A university degree from a recognized institution, preferably in political science, international relations, security studies, or a related field.
• Knowledge of international affairs and security policy issues.
• A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in diplomacy, international relations, or defense and security matters, either in a national or international context.
• Excellent drafting skills, with the ability to produce clear and concise documents in at least one of NATO's official languages (English or French).
• A good understanding of NATO-BiH relations and their overall aims and objectives.
• Proficiency in NATO's official languages: V (Advanced) in English and I (Beginner) in French.
• A valid driving license is also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a university degree from an institute of recognized standing, ideally in political science, international relations, security studies, or another relevant discipline. A post-graduate degree in these fields would be considered an advantage, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of related professional experience in diplomacy, international relations, and/or defense and security matters. This experience should ideally be gained in a national or international post, demonstrating the candidate's ability to navigate complex political environments and contribute effectively to NATO's objectives in BiH.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirements for this position include proficiency in NATO's official languages, specifically:

• English: Advanced level (V) is required for effective communication and documentation.
• French: A beginner level (I) is required, which indicates that while fluency is not necessary, some understanding of the language is beneficial. Knowledge of local languages would also be considered an advantage, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with local stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is exclusively open to Norwegian citizens. The role is full-time and involves working closely with various stakeholders in the region. The Norwegian Refugee Council emphasizes a zero-tolerance approach to exploitation, abuse, and sexual harassment, expecting all employees to uphold these values in their work. The organization is committed to safeguarding and creating a respectful and safe environment for all employees and beneficiaries.