Staff Assistant (IEA Monitor)

OPEN TO NATIONALS OF NATO MEMBER STATES ONLY

Post Number: OMC UXEX 0080
Job Title: Staff Assistant (IEA Monitoring)
NATO Grade: B4/G10
NATO Body: Headquarters Allied Maritime Command
Location: Northwood, Middlesex, UK
SECURITY CLEARANCE: NATO SECRET
Basic Monthly Salary: £ 4,191.57 (tax free)
Closing date: Sunday 21 September 2025

1. Post Context/Post Summary

Allied Maritime Command is the Maritime Theatre Component Commander delivering 360 degree maritime focused awareness and connectivity while planning and commanding the full range of maritime operations.

The Communications Directorate provides the Commander with advice and functionality across the full range of information activities and is responsible for delivering strategic effects in the cognitive dimension that support MARCOM and higher headquarters objectives during peace, crisis, and conflicts.

The Information Environment Assessment (IEA) Branch conducts systematic, data-driven analysis and assessment of the information environment to support understanding, decision-making and the application of capability in the engagement space.

The Information Environment Monitoring operators are the primary data collection positions within the IEA Branch.

2. Principal Duties

The incumbent's operational duties are to:

- Identify, monitor, and analyse all relevant media outlets across traditional, digital and social media domains to share with the team.

- Monitor trends, themes, storylines, narratives and stakeholder perceptions related to NATO activities.

- Produce media summaries and other analytical products to support the provision of direction and guidance for MARCOM information activities.

- Support the identification of emerging risks, issues and challenges in the Information Environment (IE).

- Support the modelling and simulation of the IE and selected audiences through a systems-based approach.

- Monitor and assess Strategic Communication (STRATCOM) performance and effects in support of decision making.

- Monitor and assess and the effectiveness of NATO communication activities, including MARCOM and deployed communications teams.

- Monitor and assess the effectiveness of other actors’ information efforts, particularly disinformation or propaganda campaigns, on NATO/MARCOM operations and activities.

- Monitor and assess hostile Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) in the IE.

- Provide real time monitoring insights to optimise NATO’s communications efforts and counter hostile activities in the IE. 

- Assist in interpreting Russian language media.

- Deliver regular media monitoring updates to relevant stakeholders.

- Collaborate with other MARCOM branches to enable comprehensive analysis.

- Support NATO's comprehensive approach to crisis management operations with timely monitoring and analysis.

- Provide briefs on designated aspects of the IE when required.

- Support and assist IEA Branch Head and staff in conducting IEA activities.

- Facilitate planning, coordination, integration and execution of the IEA function within the Communications Directorate.

- Use a wide variety of software tools and information sources to facilitate proper data collection, monitoring and analysis of the IE.

- Facilitate contributions to external IEA working groups, sharing data and liaising with other NATO HQs in the monitoring and assessment of the IE.

- Contribute to the official HQ planning process through the generation of IEA products.

- Coordinate issues of common interest with other HQs.

- Submit observations in his/her area of expertise and contribute to the Lessons Learned process.

- Demonstrate modern technical and data handling skills in a fast-evolving digital media environment.

- Support Allied Command Operations’ (ACO) broader IEA capability development by advising on data integration into existing analysis processes.

- Undertake additional duties and assume other responsibilities as directed by the Chain Of Command.

3. Special Requirements and Additional Duties

The employee may be required to perform a similar range of duties elsewhere within the organisation at the same grade without there being any change to the contract.

The employee may be required:

• to undertake Temporary Duty (TDY) assignments both within and without NATO’s boundaries and be willing to work unsocial hours.

• to deploy in support of NATO Exercises.

• to deploy in support of a core element for MARCOM.

The work is normally performed in a Normal NATO office working environment / Secure office environment with artificial light and air (e.g. Bunker).

Normal Working Conditions apply.

The risk of injury is categorised as No risk / risk might increase when deployed.

4. Essential Qualifications

a. Professional/Experience

(1) Data Science and Monitoring of Data

Applying mathematics, statistics, data mining and predictive modeling techniques to gain insights, predict behaviours and generate value from data. Typically applied in the analysis of high volume, high velocity and high variety data (numbers, symbols, text, sound and image).

Activities may include - but are not limited to:

• integrating methods from mathematics, statistics, probability modelling using specialised programming languages, tools and techniques.

• sourcing and preparing data for analysis.

• identifying, validating and exploiting internal and external data sets generated from a diverse range of processes.

• developing forward-looking, predictive, real-time, model-based insights to create value and drive effective decision-making.

• finding, selecting, acquiring and ingesting data sources.

• integrating and clean data to make it fit for purpose.

• develop data science hypotheses and exploring data using models and analytics sandboxes.

• refine requirements, validate, train and evolve models over time.

• to discover deeper insights, make predictions, or generate recommendations.

• advanced analytic techniques include those such as data/text mining, machine learning, pattern matching, forecasting, visualisation, semantic analysis, sentiment analysis, network and cluster analysis, multivariate statistics, graph analysis, simulation, complex event processing, neural networks.

Skill Level

Applies existing data science techniques to new problems and datasets using specialised programming techniques. Selects from existing data sources and prepares data to be used by data science models. Evaluates the outcomes and performance of data science models. Identifies and implements opportunities to train and improve models and the data they use. Publishes and reports on model outputs to meet customer needs and conforming to agreed standards.

Experience

Comprehensive knowledge of a data science programming language – preferably SQL and/or Python.

Experience in analysing and generating polling data.

(2) Information science

Library, information and archival studies is the study of the methods of selecting, acquiring, organising and storing collections of information, and facilitating the use of information. Museum and library studies are included here.

Skill Level

Works under general direction. Uses discretion in identifying and responding to complex issues and assignments. Usually receives specific instructions and has work reviewed at frequent milestones. Determines when issues should be escalated to a higher level.  Interacts with and influences colleagues. Has working level contact with customers, suppliers and partners. May supervise others or make decisions which impact the work assigned to individuals or phases of projects.  Performs a range of work, sometimes complex and non routine, in a variety of environments. Applies methodical approach to issue definition and resolution.  Demonstrates an analytical and systematic approach to issue resolution. Takes the initiative in identifying and negotiating appropriate personal development opportunities. Demonstrates effective communication skills. Contributes fully to the work of teams. Plans, schedules and monitors own work (and that of others where applicable) competently within limited deadlines and according to relevant legislation, standards and procedures. Appreciates the wider business context, and how own role relates to other roles and to the business of the employer or client.

Experience

Working understanding of data privacy restrictions from all major social media companies and their impact on media monitoring.

2 years' experience in information/media analysis is essential. Knowledge of common media monitoring software suites

b. Education/Training

Higher Secondary education and intermediate vocational training in computer science, engineering disciplines, statistics or similar numerate discipline, operations research or related discipline which might lead to a formal qualification with 2 years experience, or Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training in that discipline leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 4 years post-related experience.

The additional job specific qualifications and experience is described under Professional/Experience paragraph (4/a). In case of ambiguity the required job specific experience have priority over the standard education and training levels and experience described here.

c. Language

English - SLP 3333 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

NOTE: The work both oral and written in this post and in this Headquarters as a whole is conducted mainly in English.

5. Desirable Qualifications

a. Professional Experience

·         Prior experience of working in NATO or in an international environment comprising military and civilian elements is desirable.

·         Understanding or background knowledge of NATO or Allied Maritime activities.

b. Language

Knowledge of other NATO nations’ languages, or any other languages of interest, would be an asset.

6. Attributes/Competencies

• Personal Attributes: The incumbent will need to display a high degree of professionalism, technical expertise, organisational, coordination and communication skills in the performance of their duties. The post requires a self-starter, analytical and technical skills, data visualisation management, and conceptual thinker. Good team work skills.

• Professional Contacts: The incumbent executes duties and functions requiring frequent internal and external professional contact including coordination and negotiation with senior civilian and military host nation authorities, media representatives, NGOs, IO’s, think tanks and academics. The individual will be required to develop a network of contacts across these organisations that can be used to gain a comprehensive understanding of the information environment.

• Contribution To Objectives: The post provides information, assurance and analysis and contributes directly to the planning, initiations and development of wide range of products submitted by HQ. Provide direct feed into both the delivery and assessment of all StratCom messaging Objectives.

There are no reporting responsibilities.

This post reports to:

OMC UXEX 0010 - Branch Head (Information Environment Assessment) - OF-4

This post does not deputise anybody.

This post is not deputised by anybody.