NATO Internship - Political Affairs and Security Policy (PASP) Division

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

The Political Affairs and Security Policy Division leads on the political aspects of NATO’s fundamental security tasks, with responsibility for: 

·       Political relations with Allied countries;

·       NATO’s Partnerships;

·       Security Policy development;

·       Relations with Multilateral Organizations;

·       Conventional Arms Control Policy and the non-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

The Division comprises approximately 90 staff members, and also provides policy and administrative support to Liaison Offices in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, to Liaison Officers to the United Nations in New York and to the OSCE in Vienna, and to the NATO-ICI Regional Centre in Kuwait. 

The Security Policy Directorate (SPD) and the Partnership and Global Affairs Directorate (PGAD) includes the following sections:

·       The NATO Affairs and Security Policy (NASP) Section, responsible for preparing Alliance Foreign Ministerial and Summit meetings, for providing speaking notes, checklists and background briefs for senior leaders’ meetings with high-level Allied officials, and for developing security policy in key areas, including through engaging with Allies.

·       The Indo-Pacific (IP) Section, responsible for NATO’s relations with partner countries (Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan) and non-partner countries (such as China, India and Singapore) in the Indo-Pacific region. The Section has the overall responsibility for policy formulation and reform advice related to NATO’s relations with the countries under its responsibility.  

·       The Partnerships & Policy (P&P) Section, responsible for NATO’s relations with the West European partners, the South Caucasus and the Western Balkans. The Section has the overall responsibility for policy formulation and reform advice related to NATO’s relations with the countries under its responsibility and is also responsible for the NATO Open Door policy.

·       The Russia Policy Coordination (RPC) section leads on Russia policy issues within PASP. The Section has the overall responsibility for policy formulation, as well as engagement with Allies on this portfolio. RPC also has the role in coordinating Russia-related policy issues with other divisions across NATO and in the entire enterprise.

·       The Southern Neighbourhood (SNS) Section, responsible for developing and promoting NATO policy, political relations with the countries of the region, especially those participating in NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) and in the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI). 

·       The Multilateral Organizations (MO) Section, responsible for handling NATO’s relations with Multilateral Organizations such as the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), as well as with Non-Governmental Organizations. 

·       Arms Control, Disarmament and WMD Non-Proliferation (ADN) Section serves as NATO’s focal point for consultation, coordination and policy development related to Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation at NATO HQ. This includes conventional and WMD global and regional ADN regimes, and their implementation, as well as efforts to address emerging disruptive technologies and ADN. The ADN section also serves as focal point for cooperation in the area of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and Mine Action (MA). Finally, the ADN Section coordinates and oversees implementation of NATO’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defence Policy. The ADN Section also promotes cooperation on these challenges among Allies, with NATO partners and with International Organisations (IOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) as appropriate. and supports the work of relevant NATO bodies and committees.

What the daily work will look like?

Interns will gain an invaluable insight into the Alliance’s decision-making and into the broader institutional processes behind its policies, projects and partnerships. They will have a unique opportunity to enhance their research, drafting and analytical skills against a complex international environment. In addition, their communication and organisational skills, flexibility and adaptability will be put to the test against the background of the ever-changing security environment. They may have the opportunity to participate in missions on an ad-hoc basis. 

The intern will:

-        Assist in the development and preparation of policy papers, checklists and speeches for high level NATO officials and speaking notes for meetings; 

-        Take notes at committee meetings; 

-        Support the organisation of workshops, seminars and events; 

-        Conduct basic research and assist in monitoring global developments; 

-        At times, attend debates and discussions on security and defence related issues with relevance to the internship; 

-        Provide administrative, organisational and coordination support.