Staff Officer Military Partnerships

McBride is seeking five highly qualified Staff Officers to join the Partnerships Branch of NATO’s Allied Command Transformation (ACT) in Norfolk, VA. These roles directly support NATO’s efforts to strengthen and expand military partnerships worldwide—enhancing interoperability, strategic cooperation, and defense planning across the Alliance and partner nations. Staff Officers will provide subject matter expertise, policy input, and coordination across diverse areas including capability development, education & training, concept development, defense planning integration, and partnership strategy & policy.

Key Responsibilities (Generic to All Staff Officers)

• Contribute to the activities of the Partnerships Branch and Integrated Project Teams (IPTs).
  

• Prepare and deliver briefings to senior NATO officers and decision makers.
  

• Support the development of policies, directives, and processes related to partnerships.
  

• Advise and directly support the Head of Partnerships IPT/Branch, including travel to meetings and conferences (up to 30 days annually, CONUS/OCONUS).
  

• Perform additional related tasks as assigned by the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR).
  

Role-Specific Focus Areas

Each position will have a designated focus within NATO’s partnership portfolio:

1. Partner Capabilities – Integrating NATO capability development into partner activities, supporting NDPP alignment, identifying capability gaps, and promoting interoperable solutions.

2. Partner Education & Training – Coordinating with NATO and Partner Education & Training Facilities (ETFs), supporting course certification, accreditation, training analysis, and Military Capacity Building efforts.

3. Concept Development & Analysis – Leading NATO partnership concept development, supporting strategic engagements, fostering interoperability, and providing geopolitical analysis on PfP nations.

4. Defense Planning Integration – Driving integration of partnership perspectives into NATO’s defense planning processes, supporting ITPPs, PARPs, and multi-cycle strategic planning.

5. Partnerships Strategy & Policy – Shaping long-term NATO partnership strategy, drafting policy, capturing lessons learned, supporting Bi-SC tasks, and advancing Information & Knowledge Management (IKM).

Why Join?

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to strategic transformation and interoperability across NATO and partner nations. As a Staff Officer in Military Partnerships, you will influence capability development, training, policy, and defense planning at the highest levels, while working alongside senior military leaders, policymakers, and international stakeholders.

Requirements

Qualifications (Required)

• Education: Master’s degree in International Relations, Security Studies, International Development, Military Studies, Foreign Policy, Political Science, or a related discipline. Completion of a NATO or national military staff college (OF-3 level or higher) will also be considered.
  

• Experience:
  

  • Demonstrated background in foreign/international security, defense, or military affairs.
    

  • Prior NATO Enterprise, International Organization, or national delegation/embassy experience (preferred).
    

  • Strong knowledge of NATO partnerships, security sector reform, defense planning, or capability development.
    

• Exceptional skills in policy development, analysis, and briefing preparation for senior decision makers.