Vacancies & Internships

NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence (NATO StratCom COE) located in Riga, Latvia is looking for a well-organized and detail-oriented Event Manager Assistant ready to help us in everything from scheduling a meeting to producing a high-level international conference.

What you will be working on:

  • full scope project (event) management for international seminars, workshops, conferences and other events carried out by the NATO StratCom COE,
  • initiating and managing procurement processes related to executing events and other activities,
  • setting and controlling individual event budgets; negotiating with suppliers,
  • overseeing the registry of bookings and managing financial liabilities related to events and travel needs,
  • liaising with invited speakers and event participants on their travel and accommodation arrangements, other administrative matters,
  • preparing information for all kinds of reports on seminars, workshops, conferences organized by the NATO StratCom COE,
  • providing administrative support to NATO StratCom COE personnel in organizing and locating events,
  • performing other duties in accordance with its competence and tasks set by the NATO StratCom COE leadership

What you need to succeed in this role:

  • you know that details matter and your attention to those is exceptional,
  • you are self-motivated and you certainly do not lack enthusiasm,
  • you stay level-headed under pressure and you appreciate a good challenge,
  • you are a problem solver with the ability to think on your feet, react rapidly, prioritize, and implement measures to improve procedures and workflows,
  • you appreciate the importance of quality administrative support to the team before and after the event

Skills and abilities were looking for:

  • proven professional experience in event management (minimum 2 years in event project management and/or event production),
  • budget management and scheduling skills,
  • higher education or equivalent in communications management, public relations, marketing, event management or equivalent discipline,
  • strong administrative skills and ability to meet deadlines,
  • proven ability to manage multiple tasks at a time while paying strict attention to detail,
  • experience in customer relations,
  • excellent English language skills (Level C1 or C2 according to CEFR); organization's work language is English,
  • excellent communication skills,
  • good command of Microsoft Office (MS Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint in particular),
  • familiarity with project management cycle and other relevant tools and techniques,
  • preferably proven experience in working with Cvent, Eventbrite or other relevant event management software

What we offer:

  • international working environment and experience,
  • capacity to grow and develop own competences,
  • competitive remuneration set to EUR 2926 (gross),
  • health insurance

Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance provided by the national security authorities of the selected candidate.

To apply, please send your CV in English and application letter summarizing your views on the key challenges in event management and your experience in addressing them. Application letter should be limited to maximum of two A4 pages (800 words per page).

Candidates are requested to send their CV and application letter by latest 2 October 2023 to hr@stratcomcoe.org.

-

As an employer, NATO StratCom COE values diverse backgrounds and perspectives and is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and talented workforce. NATO StratCom COE welcomes applications of nationals from all countries and strongly encourages women to apply.

We value commitment to the principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability following international norms and practices established for the defense 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.

Qualifications:

  1. Applicants must at least have a bachelor's degree at the start of the internship with at least one degree in a discipline related to the relevant areas: communication, strategic communications, defence, security studies or similar.
  2. Must have strong oral and written English communications skills, and be able to work effectively and build relationships with others.
  3. Must have good organization and planning skills, and be able to demonstrate effective project coordination, facilitation, and implementation based on past work or school experiences.
  4. Must possess deductive reasoning skills and be able to analyze and synthesize information for problem solving.
  5. Excellent English writing and speaking skills (English Level C). Other language skills will be considered a plus.
  6. We especially encourage applicants with skills in data science or statistics. 
     

General intership description:

  1. Internships are unpaid, but offer an ideal opportunity to acquire substantive professional experience for those interested in the work conducted by the NATO StratCom COE. All the expenses connected with internship or fellowship shall be borne by student/researcher or his/her sponsoring Government or institution. However the NATO StratCom COE can choose to invite both students and researchers to apply for grant announced for certain projects, which are of high importance for the NATO StratCom COE. The amounts and distribution of grants shall be specified taking into consideration availability of budget funding, period of performance and level of expertise required. 
  2. Housing is not provided. However, we may be able to assist you in finding an affordable place to live.
     

Application process:

  1. Though internships usually start in September or January, we sometimes take interns on an ad-hoc basis, so we encourage you to send your CV (hr@stratcomcoe.org).
  2. We maintain a candidate database, so if you are interested, send us your CV with a note that you would like to be informed if new opportunities come in.
     

Aim: to access the latest theoretical and technical knowledge that students and researchers may have and can apply through practical work assignments at the NATO StratCom COE.
 

Cooperation with higher educational establishments: Within the framework of cooperation between the NATO StratCom COE and respective higher educational establishment it can be agreed to host internships and fellowships at the NATO StratCom COE. 
 

Enrolment and duration: Applications shall be submitted not earlier than 6 months and not later than 2 months prior to the internship or fellowship period. Together with their application, all candidates should also submit a short essay (150 - 250 words) outlining their motivation. The CV of a candidate should be attached to the application. All documents must be prepared in English. Duration of the Internship and fellowship can be from 1 month up to 12 months with starting periods at 1 September or 1 January. Exceptions are allowed only when the NATO StratCom COE announce grants for certain projects or internship/fellowship is provided as part of cooperation between the NATO StratCom COE and respective higher educational establishment. 
 

Legal arrangements:  Acceptance Statement shall be signed by respective student / researcher accepting terms and conditions of their internship/fellowship. Standard procedures for security check will be implemented for all applicants admitted.

PhD students and young researchers wishing to exted their research in the field of Strategic Communications, are encouraged to contact us regards fellowship opportunities. CV and a motivation statement including a section on how a stay at the COE would fit in your research plans should be included. All documents must be prepared in English.

* Please be informed that the personal data indicated in applicant's emails (for example, name and surname, email address, home address, other data) will be processed to ensure the selection of personnel for the requested position of the NATO StratCom COE. By sending us the application specifying personal data, applicant agrees that all information provided will be used only for the position specified for the assessment of candidacy and for ensuring communication process. Unless the applicant withdraws the application, NATO StratCom COE will retain personal data as long as it is necessary for the purpose of its collection.