Nato, applications for young professionals start

Here comes an opportunity for those who want to gain work experience in the political and military alliance that guarantees the security of a billion people, and which has recently been the subject of repeated attacks by US President Donald Trump: NATO. Applications are now open to take part in the NATO Young Professionals Programme (YPP), the Atlantic Alliance's young professionals programme now in its fourth cycle. There are just 15 places available. To apply, there is time until 31 May. The programme aims to offer highly talented young people the opportunity to work with NATO for three years in different countries and at different bodies of the Atlantic Alliance.

To apply, certain requirements must be fulfilled: be a citizen of a NATO member country, hold a secondary school degree, have at least one year's work experience and be aged between 21 and 32 at the time of application. You must also have a very good command of one of the two official NATO languages (English or French). A working knowledge of a second language is an advantage. Knowledge of other languages may also be an advantage for certain positions. To submit an application, you must first create an account in the Nato online recruitment system.

15 positions are available for young people from a wide range of educational and professional backgrounds. These include: Innovation, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Economics and Finance, Engineering, Supply Chain and Logistics, Human Resources, ICT and Cyber Defence, International Political Affairs, Legal Affairs, Strategic Communications and Marketing, Programme and Project Management.

Participants who successfully complete the programme can be assigned to a NATO organisation in a specific location for an additional three-year period with the NATO grade G15. This additional three-year period allows young professionals to specialise in a core functional area and to develop their skills in depth.

The Alliance emphasises that the assignment is not automatic and will depend on operational needs and individual performance. YPP placements, it is clarified, do not imply any further employment contract with NATO. To be employed in a different role, one will have to apply for a position and pass a competitive selection procedure based on merit.