YPP, Legal Affairs

The Young Professionals Programme

Through times of crisis and peace, NATO has safeguarded our freedom and security for 75 years and counting. Threats evolve every day and NATO is continuing to adapt to keep us safe. Together we will make sure our Alliance remains ready today to face the challenges of tomorrow.

We are launching an accelerator for your international career – the third 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 enable NATO to:

• Address existing and emerging global challenges with security implications;
• Facilitate political consultation and dialogue between nations;
• Leverage innovation, science and technology to support peace and security;
• Stay ahead in cutting-edge domains such as cyber defence and aerospace;
• Support multiple operations on land, at sea and in the air around the world;
• Contribute to the global effort to combat terrorism, piracy and human trafficking; and
• Run crisis-management exercises that mobilize thousands of people and items of equipment.

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 1 - Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) - (London, United Kingdom)

Year 2 - NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) - (Brussels, Belgium)

Year 3 - Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (HQ SACT) - (Norfolk, 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 Legal Affairs. As you gain experience, you will be given increasing responsibilities, such as:

• Supporting efforts to ensure that all legal aspects are considered and covered in the management of tasks, projects and programmes within the Organization;
• Providing thoroughly researched and practical guidance on the legal aspects of a wide array of subjects, to include concept development, international agreements and legal support to an international organization and its staff members;
• Maintaining and developing contacts NATO-wide, with external legal offices and with other international organizations to promote legal coherence and a uniform approach;
• Participating in activities related to the compliance and coherence of all internally prepared documents;
• Participating in the Legal Office’s work on a variety of topics such as cyber defence, space, engagement with industry and academia, contracting, innovation, and new technologies;
• Supporting the preparation and discussion of agreements, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) or other legal documents; and,
• Researching new trends within the areas of responsibilities of Legal Affairs.

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 Legal Affairs path, we are generally interested in the following educational backgrounds:

• A Masters’ degree in Technology Law, International Law, Financial Law, Administrative Law, Civil Law, Criminology, Business Administration, Public Administration; and,
• Any other degree that you believe can be useful to the area of Legal Affairs – let us know how your knowledge and skills can be applied!

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

• Professional experience in legal services functions;
• Experience and interest in providing legal advice, particularly in the area of international law and international organizations;
• Experience in supporting or advising on compliance, regulatory, or commercial matters for internal or external legal clients;
• Experience in preparing and drafting a variety of official written materials and giving advice to legal and non-legal audiences;
• Experience in working and negotiating with experts from other fields, including across other functions and/or with military operational experts;
• Experience in a national administration, international organization, private-sector company and/or innovative or start-up environment;
• Knowledge of national and international legal frameworks;
• Any additional training/certification(s) related to Legal Affairs
• Strong drafting skills;
• Proactivity, can-do attitude and a willingness to learn and share information; and,
• 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 27 October 2024 [23:59 – CET Brussels]

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 (http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/recruit-hq-e.htm)