NATO Internship - Innovation, Hybrid and Cyber (IHC) Division
🔍 Belgium
INFO-SESSION ON THE VACANCY AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
NATO is organising an info-session webinar on the recruitment process for this programme which will take place on 11/06/2025 at 4pm CET (Brussels time).
This will be the opportunity for applicants and professionals to gain more insight into
the steps of the recruitment process and to have the opportunity to ask questions to
Talent Acquisition Service. Some interns and/or former interns will also share their experience of the programme with the audience.
Please register using the following link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HdnqpN5hSDaM-t7JB8lAuQ
Are you interested in the intersection of international security and emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy, Quantum and Biotech? Are you keen to support the work of an international organization looking to foster a transatlantic innovation ecosystem and bridge the gaps with academic and private sector communities? Are you a motivated individual eager to share your ideas, broaden your horizon and learn new skills as a member of a multinational team?
The Innovation, Hybrid and Cyber Division provides a coordinated approach for NATO to the challenges of the 21st century. It serves as the NATO HQ’s focal point for cyber defence, countering hybrid threats, data science, innovation, notably in the area of EDTs, and climate and energy security. The Division also promotes cooperation on these challenges through a variety of programmes within NATO, with partner nations and with other International Organisations, as appropriate.
The Cyber and Hybrid Policy Section leads the development and articulation of cyber defence and hybrid policy for NATO and its coordination and implementation at the political level. It leads the preparations of weekly Cyber Defence Committee (CDC) and Operational Policy Committee (Hybrid) (OPC-H). The team provides support to Allies and leadership on cyber and hybrid policy issues, monitors political developments and serves as a liaison at the political level with national stakeholders in Allied countries. The team also engage with NATO's partners, including other international organisations, industry and academia.
The Climate and Energy Security Section examines the security implications of energy developments, and supports efforts to improve NATO’s energy security and initiatives to enhance energy efficiency in the military. The team is supporting the implementation of NATO’s ambitious NATO Climate Change and Security Action Plan. This includes providing Allies with assessments on the security implications of extreme weather and natural disasters, and leading NATO civilian and military stakeholders in adapting and coordinating efforts to adapt NATO militaries to the changing operational environment.
The Innovation & Technology Adoption Section (ITA) is responsible for driving forward innovation and fostering rapid adoption of new technologies and products within the Organisation and across the Alliance. It helps to ensure that the Alliance understands the practical implications of EDT for defence and security, and is prepared to adopt them rapidly. The Section helps identify innovation priorities, including by cross-matching EDT with the most pressing decision-making, operational and capability development needs. The Section contributes to eliminating barriers to innovation, whether these are policy or process-related. The Section also supports the liaison function with the NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), as well as with the independent NATO Innovation Fund (NIF).
The Science for Peace and Security and Partnership (SPSP) Section manages the SPS Programme and coordinates the Division’s cooperation with NATO partners. SPS is a key scientific support programme developing and implementing joint scientific cooperative projects with concrete deliverables between NATO and partners. The main aim is to enhance civilian science and technology to address security challenges notably in the area of emerging and disruptive technologies (EDTs), data science, energy security, cyber security and environmental security. In order to achieve its aim, the programme engages NATO's partners with a balanced, 360-degree approach to deliver tailor-made, tangible and demand-driven activities with high public diplomacy value. It brings together scientists, experts, and policy-makers from NATO and partner nations to jointly develop and implement relevant projects and events.
How the daily work will look like?
In the Innovation, Hybrid and Cyber Division the interns as considered as valuable colleagues. They contribute to policy papers and speaking notes. They help prepare committee meetings and write notes afterwards. They maintain contacts with think tanks and industry, and participate in meetings and events. Interns do a lot of research across of a wide range of issues, they have a distinct voice in the team, and their view is requested on a host of issues related to the portfolio of the division.
What do we offer?
- A 6-month traineeship at NATO Headquarters, in Brussels, starting in March / September 2026.
- A full-time traineeship (38 hours a week).
- A monthly grant of €1,286.09 and a travel reimbursement upon joining and leaving the organisation.
- Teleworking subject to business requirements.
- A rich programme of activities, attending regular events and participating in meetings with several stakeholders.
- NATO HQ Staff Centre which promotes employee well-being and foster a healthy work environment (click here for more info, special membership price for NATO interns)
Selection Criteria
Please note that you can apply for up to three (3) different vacancies!
Apply until 22 June 23.59, Brussels time
Essential:
The candidate must:
1. be a national of a NATO member state,
2. be at least 21 years old,
3. have at least two years of university level studies OR equivalent education OR be currently a student OR a recent graduate (degree obtained no longer than 12 months ago),
4. have proficiency in one of the two official NATO languages (English/French).
Desirable:
The following criteria will be considered an advantage:
1. have a Bachelor's degree or in the final stage of a Master’s degree relevant to the requested area of expertise,
2. elementary knowledge of the second official NATO language (English/French),
3. be an advance user of IT tools including Microsoft Office, SharePoint;
4. previous experience with other international organizations, national administration, research or industry.
Competencies required:
The candidate must demonstrate the following competencies:
· Achievement: Works to meet standards.
· Analytical thinking: Breaks down problems and see basic relationships.
· Clarity and accuracy: Shows general concern for order and clarity, and checks own work.
· Customer service orientation: Responds appropriately, maintains clear communication.
· Empathy: Listens actively.
· Flexibility: Acts with flexibility.
· Initiative: Reacts to short-term opportunities or problems.
· Organizational awareness: Understands the Organization’s structure.
· Teamwork: Cooperates, shares information and knowledge freely, offering support and cooperation.
Our Values:
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 and those living with disability to apply.
NATO is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible working environment, where all candidates living with disabilities can fully participate in the recruitment and selection process. If you require reasonable accommodation, please inform us during your selection process. Candidates will be required to provide documented medical evidence to support their request for accommodation.
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.
Special Notice:
In order for the Internship Office to assess your eligibility for the Internship Programme, please attach the following documents:
1. Copy of university qualifications you have completed and/or
2. Proof of ongoing studies with the dates clearly mentioned if you are still studying.
We prefer that these documents are in one of the NATO official language (English or French). If you don’t have these documents in English or French, please attach a self translation.
Please ensure that all information is complete and accurate before submitting your application.
Please note that the application cannot be updated after the relevant deadline.
The pool of candidates will be available to all NATO IS / IMS Divisions, Offices and NATO Bodies in case there is a need for a similar profile.
Due to the broad interest in NATO and the large number of potential candidates, telephone or e-mail enquiries cannot be dealt with.
Read more about the Internship Programme, including terms and conditions, and what we offer at our website.
Kindly note that NATO will not accept any phase of the recruitment and selection prepared, in whole or in part, by means of generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots, such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (Chat GPT), or other language generating tools. NATO reserves the right to screen applications to identify the use of such tools. All applications prepared, in whole or in part, by means of such generative or creative AI applications may be rejected without further consideration at NATO’s sole discretion, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.