The Young Professionals Programme (YPP)

In a more dangerous and competitive security environment, NATO continues to do everything that is needed to keep one billion people across Europe and North America safe. We are strengthening our defences, responding swiftly and decisively to threats to our security, and working together – as allies and partners – to protect our freedom and shared interests.

We are launching an accelerator for your international career – the fourth cycle of our Young Professionals Programme (YPP). Through this global three-year programme, you will experience the frontline of a political and military alliance and start a journey of personal and professional development in a diverse and inclusive work environment. Together, we will ensure NATO continues to:

• respond with unity, strength and resolve to growing dangers to our security across the Euro-Atlantic area and in all domains – land, sea, air, space and cyberspace;

• build stronger defences by investing more in defence and accelerating defence production and innovation;

• harness new technologies for our security, and stay ahead in cutting-edge domains such as cyber and space;

• leverage partnerships, including with the European Union, individual countries and the private sector, to protect our freedom and shared interests; and

• contribute to fighting terrorism and rampant instability in NATO’s southern neighbourhood.

Do you want to make a difference and help protect close to one billion people across 32 NATO member states, including your own? If you are ready to take on this challenge, and are a national of a NATO member state, hold a Master’s degree and have at least one year of work experience, then apply for the YPP.

With you, we are stronger.

#WeAreNATO

Your role

During the three years of the programme, you will be assigned to three different NATO bodies:

Year

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

NATO body

NATO International Military Staff (IMS) – NATO HQ

NATO International Staff (IS) – NATO HQ

(Political Affairs and Security Policy)

Allied Command Transformation (ACT)

Work area

International Political Affairs

International Political Affairs

Strategic Promotion and Influence

Placement

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium

Norfolk, Virginia, United States of America

For more information, please see the path narrative here You can also find more information about the NATO bodies here & the NATO Young Professionals Programme here

This is an opportunity for you to apply your knowledge and skills in the broader area of Policy Analysis & Strategic Engagement As you gain experience, you will be given increasing responsibilities, such as:

• Contributing to the development and implementation of NATO’s partnership programmes, policies, concepts and frameworks;

• Contributing to the development and improvement of strategic engagements campaigns and projects and providing expert advice to stakeholders on strategic engagements requirements;
• Implementing and developing metrics and KPIs, to assess strategic engagements effectiveness, impact, and areas of improvement. Contributing to the creation of evaluation reports;
• Developing and distributing communications products to a wide internal and external audience via the approved means to reach strategic objectives;
• Formulating strategies and recommendations by suggesting policy directives and plans of action for immediate and longer-term solutions to strategic issues;
• Collaborating with colleagues to ensure NATO is able to conduct comprehensive analysis and assessments of crises and conflicts, strategic planning for campaigns and missions and strategic assessments of the progress of these campaigns and operations;
• Supporting the drafting of the Military Committee policy guidelines and providing advice on military/cooperation implementation;
• Facilitating policy coordination with other NATO Headquarters divisions and NATO bodies;
• Analysis and development of NATO policy (Russia and Russia-related focus). Building network of internal and external experts on Russia / outreach and policy development. Prepare content/ policy papers for negotiations with Allies in Political Committee;
• Preparing briefing notes, memoranda, checklists, answers to the press, speaking notes and other necessary background material in support of committees, Working Groups, and ministerial and other high-level meetings;
• Contributing to the organization and provision of the necessary protocol and liaison services as applicable;
• Developing a network of contacts across and outside NATO, with capitals and subject-matter experts in academic institutions to allow proper monitoring of political affairs and creating inputs for policy development;
• Coordinating and participating in projects and activities that need policy, procedural and resource-planning contributions and analysis;
• Supporting design, organization and delivery of strategic-level influence and promotion campaigns in support of strategic-level political-military leadership;
• Developing, researching and drafting policy analyses;
• Building a case for innovative new NATO policies at the strategic level;
• Applying change management skills, with the capacity to quickly grasp NATO’s political and military environment and the wider context of NATO’s activities;
• Researching and conceiving potential future scenarios that might shape policies;
• Leading and implementing projects to shape new policy thinking; and,
• Researching new trends and innovation in the field of International Political Affairs & Strategic Engagements.

Who we are looking for

The changing pace of the world demands that NATO and its people remain flexible, eager to learn and able to work effectively with a variety of stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. For a YPP position, we are looking for candidates with at least one year of professional experience

For the YPP, Policy Analysis & Strategic Engagement path, we are generally interested in the following educational backgrounds:

• A Master’s degree in the field of political science, international relations, security studies, or another relevant discipline with a strong background in quantitative and qualitative analysis methods in social sciences, marketing, communications, journalism, political science, public administration, business administration or other management disciplines

• Any other degree that you believe can be useful to the area of International Political Affairs & of Marketing & Strategic Communications – let us know how your knowledge and skills can be applied!

Any of the following experience or skills would be considered as an asset:

• Demonstrate a strong interest & professional experience in international political affairs & policy developments;

• Demonstrate a strong interest & professional experience in communications services functions;

• Experience in the design and implementation of communications plans with a focus on internal or external communications (e.g. event management, public relations, public affairs, government affairs, lobbying, investor relations, marketing, advertising, design or management of visual identity, etc.);

• Demonstrate a strong interest & professional experience in defence policy, partnerships or strategic engagement;

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of major current international political and political-military issues & global political developments;

• Have experience in conducting political research and policy analysis, and in preparing reports and briefing packages for high-level meetings;

• Have experience in multidisciplinary qualitative and quantitative analysis of crises and conflicts;

• Demonstrate a strong interest & professional experience in event preparation, planning and execution, and project management;

• Experience liaising with internal and external stakeholders at all levels;

• Have excellent analytical & drafting skills;

• Be fluent in one of the two NATO official languages (French & English);

• Be proactive, have a can-do attitude and a willingness to learn and share information;

• Be able to build relationships across the Alliance. Teamwork, excellent communication, facilitation and interpersonal skills.

What we offer

NATO will offer the Young Professionals:

• An experience of a lifetime at the forefront of an international organization where you’ll have the opportunity to develop your skills and expand your professional network;

• A diverse and stimulating work and personal experience where you will be assigned to three different NATO bodies around the globe, one each year; and,

• A competitive salary and other benefits, including excellent health insurance and a generous annual leave package of 30 days

Are you interested in being part of NATO and the YPP? Apply by 31 May 2026 [23:59 – Brussels time]

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

Please note that at the time of the interviews, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of their education and professional experience as relevant for this vacancy.

Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate) and approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser.

More information about the recruitment process and conditions of employment, can be found at our website (https://www.nato.int/en/work-with-us/careers).

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.

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.

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.