Staff Officer (Water, Health and Communications)

Overview

Headquarters JSEC provides a resilient operational-level Joint Headquarters capable of supporting 24/7 operations to coordinate enablement (operational level) and, on order, reinforcement by forces and sustainment flow to contribute to the Alliance's ability to project and sustain combat power into, across and from the Area of Responsibility (AOR), and, if required, into a Joint Operations Area (JOA).

The Support Directorate (SPT) provides cross-functional expertise in Supply and Services, HNS Military Engineering (MILENG), Medical Support, Maintenance, CIS, Human Resources (HR), and Logistics Information Management. The Joint Military Engineering Division (JENG) shapes the physical operating environment (POE) by synchronising, monitoring, coordinating and prioritising MILENG capabilities, activities and resources. The Joint Military Engineering Infrastructure Branch handles infrastructure requirements for the RSN, including developing infrastructure assessments, gap analyses, development plans and contingency plans. The incumbent is the JENG Division Infrastructure Branch subject matter expert on RSN Water, Health and Communications infrastructure sectors and their interdependencies, contributing to gap analyses and information management, providing infrastructure risk analysis, supporting cross-functional infrastructure assessments, and offering expertise in Environmental Protection (EP).

Responsibilities

• Supports the Branch Head on infrastructure issues related to JSEC and the reinforcement and sustainment network (RSN) with expertise on Water, Health and Communications sectors.
• Supports cross-functional infrastructure assessments to enhance the Comprehensive Understanding of the Operational Environment (CUOE) and identify gaps and vulnerabilities within the RSN.
• Analyzes complex and interdependent infrastructure networks as subject matter expert for Water, Health and Communications sectors and their interdependencies.
• Provides engineer advice on water-related infrastructure, including supply, distribution and management of water.
• Provides engineer advice on strategic-level communication infrastructure, including national and trans-national networks.
• Provides engineer advice on Health infrastructure in coordination with the JSEC medical function.
• Maintains coordination with related JSEC functions, notably JSEC SPT JMED and JSEC SPT J6 Divisions.
• Advises on safe Environmental practices for existing infrastructure, considering NATO and Host Nation regulations.
• Provides specialist MILENG input to the operational planning process, supporting mission analysis with resource and infrastructure development plans for operations.
• Assesses environmental impact effects on health.
• Ensures staff, host and user nations understand water works and communications requirements via NSIP common funding.
• Ensures Environmental Protection guidelines are incorporated during planning and execution of operations and exercises supported by JSEC.
• Coordinates project screening and endorsement and conducts relevant inspections with partners' HQs.
• Participates in training, evaluation, validation and certification exercises of operational and subordinate HQ elements, providing MILENG augmentation for NATO exercises as required, including MILENG Water, Health, Communications and Environmental Protection expertise.
• Undertakes project team or working group duties as directed or assigned.

Special Requirements

The incumbent may perform similar duties elsewhere within the organization at the same grade without contract changes. Deployments in support of military operations and exercises and/or TDY assignments may exceed 30 days up to 183 days within 547 days and may be on short notice. For NATO International Civilian Staff, acceptance of this post equals agreement to deploy for more than 30 days if required.

Essential Qualifications

a. Professional Experience

• Proven experience in Military Civil Engineering, including activities that identify, design, construct, lease, or provide military facilities and involvement in operational planning to identify minimum construction requirements to support military commitments. Requires military and civilian engineers or architects with professional qualifications.
• Proven experience in Environmental Protection Technology, defined as processes to minimise discharge and waste and avoid pollution, including water, air and soil control programs.

b. Education/Training

• University degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline with 2 years of related experience, or higher secondary education with advanced vocational training leading to professional qualification or accreditation with 4 years of related experience.

c. Language

• English - SLP 3333 (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). Work in this post and at Headquarters is primarily in English.

Desirable Qualifications

The following are advantageous:

• Experience in Environmental Protection jurisdiction.
• Experience and understanding of Health infrastructure networks and urban planning.
• Experience and understanding of water-related infrastructure (supply, distribution and management).
• Experience and understanding of communication infrastructure (national and trans-national networks).
• Experience in Infrastructure Risk Management / Critical Infrastructure or similar.
• Experience in handling, distribution and storage of water and wastewater disposal.
• Experience on effects of contaminants from military operations on public health.
• Strong data management duties (collection, analysis, distribution) and very high numerical/analytical skills.
• Any further training certificates related to subject field or acquired through NATO (e.g., Orientation Course, Host Nation Support Course).
• Notes include international driving license category B.

Attributes/Competencies

• a. Personal Attributes Must possess diplomacy and communication skills to interact with technical and military staff across ACO, ACT and NCS. Analytical and creative thinking for infrastructure data solutions. Flexibility to work in multiple areas. Attention to detail is essential.
• b. Professional Contacts Interact with NATO bodies, national representatives for infrastructure data support, systems engineers and CIS managers across JSEC and NATO agencies for data, configuration, capability development and interoperability.
• c. Contribution to Objectives Make a direct contribution to NATO entities in defining, acquiring and managing infrastructure data; ensure correct design and configuration of infrastructure data across systems.

Contract

• Serving NATO International Civilian staff are offered a contract in accordance with NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations.
• Newly recruited staff receive a three-year contract with possible extension to indefinite duration, subject to performance.
• Salary and benefits include tax-free salary, expatriation allowances, education allowances, private health insurance, generous leave, and a retirement pension plan.

Notes for Candidates

• Applications must be submitted via the NATO e-recruitment system; other formats will not be reviewed. Attachments should be added through the NATO Talent Acquisition Platform as requested.
• Provide complete Education and Experience details relevant to the application.
• Answer all pre-screening questions completely. Do not use phrases like please see attached CV.
• Before applying, consider the provided application tips video and follow the process to submit on time.
• Successful candidates may complete a pre-recorded video interview; shortlisted candidates will be invited to final assessments.
• Appointment is subject to security clearance, medical verification, and verification of academic background and experience.
• Applicants not selected may be offered an equivalent post at the same or lower grade if eligible.
• NATO priority may apply for redundant staff at grade G15.
• NATO will not accept recruitment material produced by generative AI tools; such material may be rejected.

Additional information

• About Ulm: Ulm is a livable city with a tech and innovation ecosystem, home to NATO JSEC. The city offers transport-friendly infrastructure and high quality of life.
• NATO is committed to diversity and inclusion and equal employment opportunity.
• Reasonable accommodation is available for candidates with disabilities; indicate needs during selection with medical documentation.
• All JSEC personnel are expected to uphold NATO Code of Conduct and core values.
• Telephone or email inquiries are not handled for this vacancy.
• For more information on JSEC, visit the official site.
• The vacancy closes on 14 June 2026 at 11:59 PM CET; the deadline has been extended to expand the applicant pool.