Research Assistants Programme

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly employs ten paid Research Assistants every year, 9 of whom come from NATO member countries.  In tribute to Loïc Bouvard (France) who was President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly from 1992 to 1994 and who played a vital role in establishing partnerships with NATO non-member countries, the International Secretariat has now created the "Loïc Bouvard Fellowship”: each year one Research Assistant position will be made available to candidates from a NATO non-member country. 

Among the ten research assistants who work each year at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly's International Secretariat, five start in late January and finish in early June.  The other five start in August and finish in late November/early December.

Every effort is made to assess applications objectively; however various factors must be taken into consideration. These include a need for regional balance among participants in the programme.  It is therefore rare to select two candidates of the same nationality for the same intake.

In view of the large number of applications, only successful candidates will be contacted.  The names of those selected will be published on this website.

Qualifications

Candidates must possess a Master's degree (or equivalent) in Political Sciences, International Relations or in a related field (i.e. experience in government or policy research institutions).

Preference will be given to candidates who have recently completed their Master’s degree.  PHD candidates and those who have recently completed their doctoral work are also welcome to apply but should understand that during their tenure with the NATO PA, their day-to day work will be dedicated to Assembly defined projects.

Tasks

The Assembly's International Secretariat is based in Brussels and is made up of approximately 30 people from various NATO member countries.  The Research Assistant's main task is to contribute, at the request of Committee Directors or Senior Management, to the research necessary for the drafting of Assembly reports.  The job can also occasionally entail some administrative work.

Conditions

Research Assistants are hired for a four to five-month period, starting in either January or August, with a one month probation period.  They receive a monthly stipend of 720 Euros.  The Assembly also provides researchers with a spacious, recently renovated shared five bedroom house in the European quarter of Brussels free of charge, as well as a basic health insurance policy for the duration of the internship.

Candidates should be completely fluent in oral and written English and/or French.  If neither is mother tongue, certified evidence of proficiency level will be required.  Knowledge of other languages is a further asset.

Applications

Applicants should provide:

• a covering letter, indicating areas of interest and competence, nationality, languages spoken and their availability
• a CV
• 2 letters of recommendation from referees well acquainted with the applicant's recent work

All documents should be sent in one package only, either by post or email to the following address:

Director of Research Assistant Programme

NATO Parliamentary Assembly

3 place de Petit Sablon

B - 1000 Brussels

Belgium

or by email:

E-mail: RA-Programme@nato-pa.int