NATO internships open doors for future peace and security professionals#News247WorldPress

Have you ever wanted to know how the Alliance works from the inside? On 13 March, NATO began taking internship applications for 2016. Young graduates and research students from a wide range of academic disciplines are invited to apply by 14 April 2015.

As an international organisation, NATO is characterised by diversity. It is comprised of people from different backgrounds, cultures, work styles, values and ways of thinking. This is reflected in the Organization’s internship programme, which offers opportunities in various areas, such as political science, international relations, IT, media, finance and human resources.

Alexios carried out his internship in the Logistics and Resources Division (IMS), Infrastructure and Finance Section after completing his Master’s Degree in the Science of Leadership and Project Management.

“NATO’s internship programme has been instrumental in garnering indispensable knowledge pertaining to working in a multinational and diverse environment, as well as giving me a plethora of opportunities that have allowed me to not only grow as an individual but also to acquire hands-on experience,” Alexios explains.

As an intern in the Planning Directorate of NATO’s Defence Policy and Planning Division, Ralitsa gained an understanding of the different stages of the defence planning process and witnessed firsthand how the Alliance’s civilian structure interacts with its military authorities.

Ralitsa says, “I was assigned tasks related to both the NATO defence planning process for Allies and the planning and review process for partners. I was also tasked to prepare defence-related briefing material for the NATO Secretary General’s external visits.”

She adds, “One of the most valuable aspects of my internship was the daily interactions with experienced defence planners. This significantly expanded my understanding of different service capabilities and the work of the armed forces in general. I was also involved in defence-related work with Georgia and Ukraine, including staff visits to Tbilisi and Kyiv. This gave me unique insights into NATO’s relationships with its partners.”

Various opportunities

There is a broad range of possible thematic orientations: former students of graphic design, library science, journalism, law enforcement, translation, aeronautics or engineering might also find a unique opportunity to gain international experience in peace and security. Knowledge of Russian or Arabic is especially welcome.

Although some interns stay on at NATO after the internship to complete ongoing assignments or to take up full-time employment, many move on to other international organisations. Whatever their long-term ambitions, NATO interns will gain invaluable experience as they strive to achieve them.

Employment at NATO International Staff

NATO Internship Programme

Selection Process
NATO Internship Programme 2016
Dear candidates,

Do you study Political Science, International Relations or Security Studies?

Are you an interdisciplinary candidate with qualifications in Economics, Finance, or Human Resources?

Have you studied Information Technology, Web or Graphic design, Library Sciences or Translation?

Do you study Aeronautics or Engineering?

Do you have a background in Media or Journalism?

Do you speak Russian, Ukrainian or Arabic?

Are you able to conduct independent research and analysis?

NATO needs your skills !

There are two types of Internship opportunities at the Alliance: the NATO-Funded and the GRANT-funded Internship Programme.

The NATO-funded Internship Programme gives opportunity to a wide range of candidates, while the other opportunity is open for those, whose work is supported from outside sources. And while Candidates interested in a GRANT-funded opportunity can apply throughout the year, the call for the NATO-funded opportunity is open only once per year in Spring with two starting dates, in March and in September the following year. Internships will last 6 months.

The 2016 call for applications for NATO-funded internships will be opened 13th MARCH 2015!

In case you meet all our eligibility criteria, you can apply via this link until 14th April 2015 (midnight CET, Brussels time).

Please refer to our website for more information on the selection timeline: http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/72041.htm

Candidates wishing to apply for a GRANT Funded can submit their application only through the online portal available under “Application”.

NATO Headquarters (HQ) introduced its Internship Programme in 2004. The aim of the programme is to provide a small number of current or recent students with the opportunity to intern with the International Staff at NATO Headquarters in Brussels and in a few other NATO bodies.

Source: NATO

Leopold James De Rothschild