Royal Navy – Strategic Engagement Team NATO Desk Officer

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced team dealing with issues central to our nation’s security? We are seeking a versatile, motivated teammate to lead and deliver the Navy’s engagement strategy with NATO, an organisation which is recognised as the fundamental pillar of UK defence – a position underscored by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Royal Navy Strategic Engagements Team works to build and maintain relationships with foreign navies and important organisations around the world, helping to develop partnerships and interoperability that benefit the RN and help to maintain the rules based international order. As a world-class, world leading navy, we work alongside key partners such as the USA and many other nation’s navies to share and learn , train together and operate in the regions of the world that matter.

The role focuses on the RN’s strategic engagements with NATO.

There is a large transformation agenda associated with this work to ensure that the momentum of RN NATO activity is maintained, and that the value of our unique contributions to, and output from, the NATO Alliance is maximised.

The team provides a highly constructive and encouraging environment in which to develop an understanding of defence and security policy. Most team members work 3 – 4 days per week in the office. In-person attendance is vital to support RN senior officers.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. 

The successful applicant will drive forward and facilitate RN Senior Leadership Team (SLT) engagement with NATO. This is a high-profile role that will afford exposure to senior RN and Defence officials. The role requires working at pace and includes a range of duties that require experience of advising, briefing and drafting, as well as working collaboratively with partners to progress shared HMG objectives.

The Naval Staff have adopted Scrum working practices, which are invaluable in maintaining situational awareness and prioritising full workloads and is a useful framework to gain familiarity with given its increasing usage across the Civil Service.

The post holder will:

• Lead and update the ‘RN at the heart of NATO’ Campaign Plan. This ensures the RN is appropriately focused on the important issues, across numerous Directorates, that shape and develop the commitment to NATO.
• Lead on facilitating wide-ranging RN SLT engagement, including briefing RN senior officials ahead of meetings with the UK Military Representative and Permanent Representative to NATO;
• Lead in the preparation for NATO-facing events that the SLT are attending, as well as preparing SLT visits to NATO HQ and SHAPE in Belgium.
• Support the RN Domestic Engagements team by organising and leading occasional inward visits by NATO senior personnel to MOD sites.
• Frequently engage with partners, from central MOD policy teams; the UK Delegation in NATO; Defence Attachés; as well as other government departments.
• Monitor upcoming landmarks in the NATO calendar and ensure appropriate policy decisions are taken to provide understanding to senior leaders, enabling timely decision-making.
• Provide advice and support to the RN SLT as required (written, verbal).
• Work to Agile principles aligned with Scrum and JIRA working practices.
• Find opportunities for personal development and to strengthen the team.

Work predominantly out of MOD Main Building in London. Occasional requirement to travel within the UK and to NATO establishments in Europe in support of SLT engagements.

Essential skills:

• Strong communicator and an ability to advise and brief senior individuals.
• Experience of developing campaign plans and approaches.
• Experience of working with a wide range of partners, identifying common objectives and areas for collaboration.
• Awareness of evaluation best-practise and the importance of evaluating activity.
• Ability to work on multiple strands of activity at tempo.
• Self-starter. The ability to be independent and drive forward a culture of commitment and continuous improvement.
• Passion and a commitment to the development of self and team members.

Desirable skills:

• Experienced in producing briefing packs and developing narratives.
• Ability to seek and analyse information to inform decisions.
• Experience of drafting submissions.
• Experience of working with ministers and their outer offices.
• Background or interest in Defence and Foreign Affairs.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership

As a civil servant in Navy Command, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects, and a job that makes a difference.

Navy Command prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.

Other benefits for Navy Command civil servants include:

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• A very competitive pension scheme
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• Opportunities to immerse yourself and learn more about the Royal Navy
• An environment with flexible working options
• Access to a confidential, professional support service
• Discount schemes
• Bicycle / season ticket loans
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Special paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year

The Ministry of Defence Main Building also offers an impressive range of on-site facilities including a gymnasium, a children’s nursery, a bistro restaurant and a shop.

The post does not offer relocation expenses. 

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period. 

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed. 

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.  

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. 

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.  

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – we may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. 

Job contact :

• Name : Fraser Allan
• Email : Fraser.allan916@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk