China Analyst

Primary Location

Belgium-Brussels

NATO Body

NATO International Staff (NATO IS)

Schedule

Full-time

Application Deadline

25-May-2025, 5:59:00 PM

Salary (Pay Basis)

6,467.30

Grade

NATO Grade G15

• SUMMARY
  
  
  

NATO’s Public Diplomacy efforts serve a vital function within the Alliance by communicating its purpose and priorities to audiences worldwide. In fulfilling this role, the Public Diplomacy Division (PDD) actively strengthens NATO’s public image, thereby fostering trust in and support for the Alliance. The Division also acts as coordinator for strategic communication activities across all NATO civilian and military bodies and commands.

The Data Insights and Information Threats section sits within PDD. It comprises the Information Environment Assessment (IEA) Unit, Audience Research Team, and a team managing strategic communications policy and NATO’s work on countering information threats. The Information Environment Assessment Unit, comprised of an Analysis and a Data Team, is the engine that provides data and evidence-based analysis of, and insights into, the information environment. The Analysis Team develops action-orientated reporting and alerting to help NATO improve its Strategic Communications, as well as engagement with relevant stakeholders internally and externally.

The incumbent carries out the duties of IEA China Analyst in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment. Working in the IEA analysis team, the China Analyst provides dedicated analysis and reporting to a range of audiences within NATO, in particular to the NATO Assistant Secretary General of Public Diplomacy. The incumbent therefore monitors, analyses and assesses China’s activities in the information environment, including in priority regions such as the Indo-Pacific to contribute to NATO’s situational awareness, help guide NATO’s engagements with partners in the region and strengthening NATO’s ability to respond to information threats.

• QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
  
  
  

Essential

The incumbent must:

• possess a university degree, from an institute of a recognized standing, in a field relevant for the role;
• have two years of analytical experience, including in qualitative and quantitative research methods;
• possess proven experience in developing reporting products for senior and/or executive audiences;
• possess strong writing and oral presentation skills ;
• possess at least upper-intermediate level knowledge in Mandarin, with an emphasis on reading and listening skills;
• possess geopolitical knowledge of China;
• possess proven research and analytical skills;
• demonstrate proficiency in utilising standard computer applications to support analytical efforts and product development;
• have strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to interact within a multicultural team and with diverse stakeholders across the Organization;
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other.
  
  
  

DESIRABLE

The following would be considered an advantage:

• familiarity with current web-based and other tools to gather topic-related information;
• understanding of current international events and their impact on NATO’s work;
• experience with the intelligence cycle including: requirements, collection, processing, analysis, dissemination and feedback;
• experience in developing quantitative metrics and analysis trends;
• knowledge of and/or experience in analyzing state-sponsored information threats, using all-source information to characterize hostile information actors’ campaigns, capabilities, and their tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).
• experience in measuring and assessing the effectiveness of communications;
• knowledge of evaluation and assessment methods and techniques to assess communications activities, including relevant measurement and assessment frameworks and tools.
• MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES
  
  
  

Information Management

Contribute in an active, timely and well-coordinated manner to PDD’s work in the area of Information Environment Assessment, by delivering high quality reports including actionable recommendations based on the assessment of the information environment. Glean and share insights with PDD leadership on information threats targeting NATO.

Knowledge Management

Keep abreast of industry developments relevant to Information Environment Assessment, including emerging best practice analytical methodologies. Provide clear insight and recommendations to civilian and military staffs from multiple disciplines, including those directly responsible for analysing and evaluating information and communications products. Ensure that this expertise is translated into effective Information Environment Assessments reporting. Use sound political judgement when making recommendations on adjusting NATO’s communications based on regular analysis and assessment.

Expertise Development

Research and follow all types of platforms to ensure that analysis products include relevant sources from the information environment, including from the media. Contribute to the ongoing improvement of analysis products, including by benchmarking against other international organisations. Keep up to speed on the latest analytical and assessment tools. Test information environment assessment, media and information threats analysis tools. Contribute to developing data literacy across the Public Diplomacy Division and the NATO Enterprise. Integrate meaningful data insights into information environment assessment and media analysis.

Stakeholder Management

Work closely with the IEA Data team, Audience Research team and StratCom policy team within the section to integrate IEA into the communications planning process and coordinate seamlessly with other sections within PDD. Develop and maintain professional relationships across the civilian and military staff to promote synergies within and between different disciplines, including intelligence, cyber, operations, data policy, logistics, and information management. Work with Allies and partners, including the European External Acton Service and G7 Rapid Response Mechanism, to exchange expertise related to analysing information threats. Coordinate effectively with various stakeholders in order to get useful inputs with actionable recommendations for the delivery of regular IEA reports. Identify, strengthen and build relationships with partners, researchers and other experts to become better informed on IEA.

Project Management

Plan and deliver reports within tight deadlines on issues of relevance to PDD and senior NATO leadership. Demonstrate political acumen when selecting topics and analysing and assessing trends in the information environment. Work with other divisions at NATO to deliver briefings for senior NATO staff. Use initiative to recommend opportunities for Information Environment Assessment.

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

• INTERRELATIONSHIPS
  
  
  

The incumbent carries out their duties under the overall direction of the Head, Information Environment Assessment Unit, and following day-to-day guidance of the IEA Analysis Team Leader. They maintain a close working relationship with other staff in the Unit, members of PDD, as well as counterparts in other Divisions, other NATO entities and in Allied Delegations and capitals.

Direct reports: N/a

Indirect reports: N/a.

• COMPETENCIES
  
  
  

The incumbent must demonstrate:

• Achievement: Works to meet standards.
• Analytical Thinking: Sees multiple relationships.
• Clarity and Accuracy: Checks own work.
• Conceptual Thinking: Applies learned concepts.
• Customer Service Orientation: Takes personal responsibility for correcting problems.
• Empathy: Is open to others’ perspectives.
• Impact and Influence: Takes multiple actions to persuade.
• Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation.
• Teamwork: Solicits inputs and encourages others.
  
  
  

6. CONTRACT

Contract to be offered to the successful applicant (if non-seconded): Definite duration contract of three years; possibility of renewal for up to three years, during which the incumbent may apply for conversion to an indefinite duration contract.

Contract clause applicable:

In accordance with the contract policy, this is a post in which turnover is desirable for political reasons in order to be able to accommodate the Organisation's need to carry out its tasks as mandated by the Nations in a changing environment, for example by maintaining the flexibility necessary to shape the Organisation's skills profile, and to ensure appropriate international diversity.

The maximum period of service foreseen in this post is 6 years. The successful applicant will be offered a 3-year definite duration contract, which may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years. However, according to the procedure described in the contract policy the incumbent may apply for conversion to an indefinite contract during the period of renewal and no later than one year before the end of contract.

If the successful applicant is seconded from the national administration of one of NATO’s member States, a 3-year definite duration contract will be offered, which may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years subject also to the agreement of the national authority concerned. The maximum period of service in the post as a seconded staff member is six years.

Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Régulations.

• USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
  
  
  

Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries. Applications must be submitted using e-recruitment system, as applicable:

• For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal ( link );
• For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment
  
  
  

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More information about the recruitment process and conditions of employment, can be found at our website (http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/recruit-hq-e.htm)

Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate), approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser, verification of your study(ies) and work experience, and the successful completion of the accreditation and notification process by the relevant authorities.

NATO will not accept any phase of the recruitment and selection prepared, in whole or in part, by means of generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots, such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (Chat GPT), or other language generating tools. NATO reserves the right to screen applications to identify the use of such tools. All applications prepared, in whole or in part, by means of such generative or creative AI applications may be rejected without further consideration at NATO’s sole discretion, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.

• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
  
  
  

NATO is committed to diversity and inclusion, and strives to provide equal access to employment, advancement and retention, independent of gender, age, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, cultural background, sexual orientation, and disability. NATO welcomes applications of nationals from all member Nations, and strongly encourages women to apply. NATO is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible working environment, where all candidates living with disabilities can fully participate in the recruitment and selection process. If you require reasonable accommodation, please inform us during your selection process. Candidates will be required to provide documented medical evidence to support their request for accommodation. Building Integrity is a key element of NATO’s core tasks. As an employer, NATO values commitment to the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability in accordance with international norms and practices established for the defence and related security sector. Selected candidates are expected to be role models of integrity, and to promote good governance through ongoing efforts in their work. Due to the broad interest in NATO and the large number of potential candidates, telephone or e-mail enquiries cannot be dealt with. Applicants who are not successful in this competition may be offered an appointment to another post of a similar nature, albeit at the same or a lower grade, provided they meet the necessary requirements. The nature of this position may require the staff member at times to be called upon to travel for work and/or to work outside normal office hours. The organization offers several work-life policies including Teleworking and Flexible Working arrangements (Flexitime) subject to business requirements. Please note that the International Staff at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium is a non-smoking environment. For information about the NATO Single Salary Scale (Grading, Allowances, etc.) please visit our website . Detailed data is available under the Salary and Benefits tab. NATO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. For more info please click here .