Staff Officer – Capability Coordination Group (Air)

Position

Staff Officer – Capability Coordination Group (Air) (Post Ref: CSO-GCX-0070, Vacancy Ref: )

Location

Paris (Neuilly-sur-Seine), France

Schedule

Full‑time

Salary

€9,314.85 per month (NATO Grade G17)

Application Deadline

07 August 2026

Job Context and Responsibilities

The NATO Science & Technology Organization (STO) Collaboration Support Office (CSO) is one of the three Executive Bodies of the STO. In support of its mission, the CSO coordinates executive and administrative activities for the eight STO Scientific and Technical Committees (STCs) and facilitates the largest and most vibrant scientific network for defence and security. The new Capability Coordination Group (CCG) structure, part of the Collaborative Programme of Work (CPoW) restructuring, will link the CPoW results with the NATO capability development community in the Air domain.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a network of members across Alliance Nations and the NATO Enterprise that constitute the domain CCG.
• Work with CCG members to identify priority capability development gaps and needs for S&T research.
• Develop a strong knowledge of CPoW research activities that support the domain and advise the capability development community on S&T opportunities.
• Contribute to developing S&T roadmaps in coordination with STC leadership and sub‑groups, mapping and analysing STC PoWs relative to warfare/capability development domains.
• Coordinate communication of research and S&T knowledge from the CPoW and STCs to the domain capability development community to accelerate exploitation of CPoW results.
• Coordinate communication of capability and technology gaps identified by CCG members to the CPoW community, recommending activities to STCs to address these gaps.
• Facilitate connection of STC Level 2 or 3 members to CAPDEV groups developing specific capabilities related to STC expertise.
• Assist in creating Technical Activity Proposals (TAPs) for S&T research, specifying military relevance of TAP topics, and coordinate those TAPs with relevant STCs.
• Assess new STC TAPs for domain‑specific applications and military relevance to the CAPDEV community, providing feedback to STCs.
• Coordinate with the COS Office Policy & Outreach Officer and the CSO IKM Office to disseminate analysis, studies and advice in the appropriate format tailored to the targeted audience.

Reporting Lines

Reports to the Chief of Staff.

Qualifications

Essential

• Minimum of 5 years in the specific military operational domain area and at least five years of defence S&T research experience in a multinational environment.
• Experience in military capability development with a focus on bridging scientific research and weapon systems conception.
• Knowledge of science and technology organisations.
• Experience in high‑level multinational contacts and cooperation.
• Knowledge of programmes and activities in military capability development within NATO Member States’ and EOPs’ S&T communities.
• Broad operational knowledge of military technology.
• Proven skills in authorship of clear and concise documents and effective presentations.
• Adaptability to travel and ability to operate autonomously in a foreign environment with minimal local support.

Education / Training

• University degree (Master level) or equivalent in a scientific domain of interest to STO.
• Managerial training and education in the same or related career field at various levels of responsibility.

Language

• Excellent knowledge of one of the two official NATO languages (SLP 4444) and fair knowledge of the other (SLP 2222).

Desirable

• Operational military experience.
• Experience in science and technology organisations.
• Practical management experience in analysis, planning, programming and budgeting.
• Knowledge of NATO organisations, policies and implementing documents.
• A university degree (PhD level) or equivalent in a scientific domain of interest to STO.
• Excellent knowledge of both NATO official languages.
• Knowledge of other European language(s).

Competencies

1. Personal Attributes

• Leadership.
• Initiative.
• Tact and capacity to cooperate and work harmoniously with high‑level civilian and military personnel of different NATO nations.
• Reliability.
• Trustworthiness, discretion and high sense of responsibility.
• Demonstrated capability to supervise personnel.

2. Managerial Responsibilities

• Not applicable.

3. Professional Contacts

• Responsible for an extensive network of professional contacts within NATO and international delegations of government, academia and industry representatives.
• Uses diplomacy, initiative, flexibility and a highly imaginative approach to problem solving in negotiating with the network of professional contacts.

4. Contribution to the Objectives

As the SO‑CCG, the position will strongly support efforts to maximise the CPoW’s military relevance by improving and accelerating the exploitation of CPoW results, facilitating coordination and collaboration within the CPoW, and focusing outreach to stakeholders outside the CPoW, particularly those exploiting CPoW results. This will help ensure that the CPoW remains the forum of choice for collaborative defence and security S&T for NATO and partner Nations, as set forth in the STO CPoW Strategy 2024‑2030.

Security Clearance

Must be eligible for a NATO Secret security clearance.

Working Environment

International, dynamic, multi‑cultural office environment with occasional long working hours and frequent business travel abroad, including on weekends. Non‑smoking workplace.

Employment Terms and Conditions

Position is at grade G17.

Starting basic monthly salary is €9,314.85 (salary subject to future adjustments per NAC decisions), exempt from income tax.

Specific allowances may apply depending on personal circumstances.

Benefits include 30 days annual leave, life and medical insurance, a retirement pension plan, education allowance for dependent children, and biennial home leave if eligible.

The contract is a Project Linked NATO International Civilian (PLN) position for three years, including a six‑month probationary period. Contracts end automatically upon completion of the project or after the three‑year period has expired.

Appointment is subject to receipt of a security clearance at NATO Secret level, provided by the national authorities of the incumbent, and delivery of a certificate of medical fitness by the CSO Medical Advisor.

EEO Statement

NATO welcomes applications of nationals from all NATO Nations and strongly encourages women to apply.