Political Advisor

OPEN TO NATIONALS OF NATO MEMBER STATES ONLY

Job Title:
Political Advisor (POLAD)
NATO Body:
Headquarters Allied Maritime Command (HQ MARCOM)
Location:
Northwood, Middlesex, UK
Security Clearance: COSMIC TOP SECRET (CTS)
Post Number: OMC GXAX 0010
NATO Grade: G22
Basic monthly salary: £10,306.98

GBP (tax free)
Closing date for applications:
01 April 2026

Allied Maritime Command is the central command of all NATO maritime forces and serves as the Maritime Theatre Component Commander, delivering 360‑degree maritime-focused awareness and connectivity while planning and commanding the full range of maritime operations.

The Command Group directs, co‑ordinates and prioritises the planning and execution effort, and provides direction and guidance as required.

The Office of the Political Advisor provides the Commander and wider Command Group with relevant politico‑military advice on all matters that could impact the maritime domain.

The Political Advisor is the Commander’s principal senior advisor on politico‑military and diplomatic issues that affect the planning and conduct of operations and the day‑to‑day management of both operational and framework roles of the HQ. He/she is supported by two Deputies in the provision of relevant political advice to the Command Group and staff on the planning and conduct of operations, exercises, and framework tasks.

The incumbent's duties are:

• Advise the Commander and the Command Group on NATO policy and political issues and processes related to all operations.
• Evaluate military operations planned or contemplated by the HQ MARCOM and advise the Commander on the political ramifications of those operations.
• Support the Staff in understanding NATO policy and political issues and processes related to the operation.
• Prepare written and verbal advice and proposals on subject related to the operation as required.
• Attend and, as required, provide political advice at the Commander’s Decision Briefs.
• Attend and provide political advice to the Maritime Coordination Board and other Command‑level Boards.
• Provide advice to the Commander when interacting with the outside world (e.g.: media releases, visits, conferences preparation, drafting of operational documents).
• In the absence of the two Deputies, attend and provide political advice to Working Groups supporting Command‑Level Boards.
• As a key non‑executive member of the Command Group, participate in all major policy and planning initiatives, providing information and advice on a wide range of politico‑military issues in direct support of Command policy formulation and decision‑making.
• Advise the Commander on political perspectives and foreign policy positions which have an impact on the mission of the Maritime Command.
• Collect and analyse information on politico‑military issues in the HQ MARCOM Area of Functional Responsibility.
• Provide information, briefings and think pieces on trouble spots, including political developments, matters affecting security and stability, local governments, and international organisation activities as required by the Commander.
• Coordinate policy matters concerning the Maritime Command that require political and/or military decisions with Maritime Command senior staff and liaison officers, as well as staff from Allied Command Operations (ACO) Headquarters, International Organisations (IOs), and Non‑Governmental Organisations (NGOs), as well as governmental and embassy officials as required.
• Establish and maintain relationships with the key political actors within NATO (SHAPE, NATO HQ) and outside NATO (countries, IOs and NGOs).
• In cooperation with internal Divisions, devise politico‑military strategies for dealing with newly acceding or Partners’ countries and advise the Command Group on their implementation; manage relations with nations within the framework of the Partnership for Peace (PfP), Mediterranean Dialogue (MD), Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI), and Contact Countries.
• Play a key role in preparing the Commander for personal meetings with Heads of State, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence, Parliamentarians and other senior government and defence officials representing Member,…