U.S. Liaison Officer to the U.S. Congress
Spektrum supports apex purchasers (NATO, UN, EU and National Government and Defence) and their Tier 1 supplier ecosystem with a wide range of specialist services. We provide our clients with professional services, specialised aerospace and defence sales, delivery, and operational subject matter expertise. We are looking for personnel to join our team and support key client projects.
Who we are supporting
Allied Command Transformation (ACT) is NATO’s leading agent for change: driving, facilitating, and advocating the continuous improvement of Alliance capabilities to maintain and enhance the military relevance and effectiveness of the Alliance. The main objectives of ACT are: providing appropriate support to NATO missions and operations; leading NATO military transformation; and improving relationships, interaction and practical cooperation with partners, nations and international organisations. ACT therefore leads Alliance concept development, capability development, training and lessons-learned initiatives and provides unfettered military support to policy development within NATO.
The program
Capability Development & Management Support (CDMS)
DCOS Capability Development (CAPDEV) acts as the Supreme Allied Commander Transformation's Director for guidance, direction and coordination of the activities and resources of the Capability Development Directorate.
The Requirements Division will execute all tasks and activities needed to support requirements management for NATO capabilities
The Capability Requirements (CR) Branch will develop the Capability Requirements Brief and recommended courses of action to resolve issues through the life cycle management of requirements using matrixed, cross-functional project-specific Requirements Management teams.
The Requirements Forward Branch (Mons) is responsible for conducting requirements development and management representation and engagement-related functions in Europe.
The Capability Division coordinates the development of capabilities from capability planning through acceptance and then disposal with management entities, NATO Headquarters staff and the NATO Governance Structure
The Capability Forward Branch (Mons) coordinates with ACO, NCIA, NSPA, NATO HQ, territorial Host Nations, and NATO Centres of Excellence (COEs) to support the development of capabilities.
Strategic Plans and Policy (SPP) supports Allied Command Transformation in formalizing military advice to shape future military strategy, political guidance, and other policy documents supporting NATO’s strategic objectives.
Role ID: ACT-CDMS-27-01-A-LC23
Background and Scope of Work
The United States Congress plays a central role in shaping U.S. defense and foreign policy, including oversight of the defense budget, authorization of military programs, and appropriations that directly impact NATO's priorities. As NATO's command dedicated to future warfare, Allied Command Transformation (ACT) must closely follow U.S. legislative developments to ensure alignment with NATO's transformation agenda and to anticipate potential political, strategic, and budgetary challenges.
The Liaison Officer to the U.S. Congress will serve as ACT's forward presence in Washington, D.C., representing SACT's interests, monitoring legislative dynamics, and cultivating strong relationships with Members of Congress, staffers, and relevant committees. This position is critical to ensuring NATO's visibility on Capitol Hill, strengthening NATO's network within the U.S. legislative branch, and supporting ACT's efforts to anticipate and adapt to U.S. defense priorities.
Taskings
- Monitor andanalyzethe U.S. defense budget process, from planning to execution,highlighting implications for NATO.
- Track ongoing Congressional defense reforms and assess their impact on NATOtransformation.
- Provide strategic reporting on Congressional debates and decisions concerning Ukraineand broader Euro-Atlantic security.
- Assess budget issues linked to the U.S. troop presence in Europe, with specific attentionto burden-sharing debates.
- Analyse the political dynamics ofdefense-related legislation, identifying key influencers and agendas.
- Plan and conduct informal engagements, including dinners and meetings, with legislators and staffers to promote ACT visibility.
- Monitor legislative initiatives, hearings, and committee activities relevant to NATO.
- Manage relationships with Members of Congress and provide tailored briefings on ACT and NATO priorities.
- Coordinate with U.S. executive agencies, NATO missions, and Allied embassies to ensure message coherence.
- Produce regular reports for SACT and POLAD on Congressional trends, risks, and opportunities.
- Support ACT delegations, visits by SACT and Flag Officers, and interactions with Congress.
- Contribute to NATO's wider engagement strategy with think tanks, academia, and policy communities in Washington.
- FacilitateACT's participation in hearings, conferences, and networking events.
- Perform additional duties as directed by the POLAD in support of NATO's PoliticalMilitary engagement.
- Be willing to travel within the United States and to NATO headquarters as required, for up to 30 days per year.
Essential Qualifications
- Proven experience of at least two years working with or within the U.S. Congress, particularly on defense, appropriations, and foreign policy issues.
- A proventrack recordof success in a government relations position, with a demonstrated ability to manage a legislative portfolio, understand and communicate complex policies, and successfully navigate the legislative process.
- Excellent communication skills, particularly the ability tointerface effectively withelected officials, policymakers, and key Congressional and federal staff, verbally, in writing, and through professional interpersonal skills, to inform, educate, and persuade in support of ACT initiatives.
- Ability to work and communicate with colleagues across departments to gather the resources, skills, and expertise necessary to convey NATO ACT's message on Capitol Hill and across administrations.
- Ability to represent NATO ACT and advocate the organization's policy positions to Congress, the Executive Branch, think tanks, and other relevant stakeholders.
- Ability to develop and implement long- and short-term action plans that lead to theaccomplishment of NATO ACT's initiatives on innovation, capability development, and other assigned topics.
- Ability toestablishand maintain positive working relationships with appropriate personnel in assigned Congressional and federal administrative and regulatory agencies through regular contact; keep abreast of rulings and rulemaking proceedings; and prepare analyzes and/or tatements on these matters.
- Strongexpertisein defense policy, international security, and Political-Military affairs.
- In-depth knowledge of the U.S. Congressional process, including authorization and appropriations cycles.
- Demonstrate adability to synthesize complex political and budgetary information into actionable recommendations.
- U.S. nationality and fluency in English at C1 level or higher.
- Ability to operate autonomously in a fast-paced environment while contributing to a team-oriented culture.
Desirable Qualifications
- Master's degree or higher in Political Science, International Relations, Economics, Law,or a similar field. An undergraduate degree withdemonstrated Congressional staff experience will also be considered.
- Familiarity with NATO structures, priorities, and transformation agenda.
- Previousexperience in liaison, advisory, or diplomatic roles.
- Previousexperience in the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Defense.
Language Proficiency
- Demonstrated proficiency in English as defined in STANAG 6001 (Standardized Linguistic Profile (SLP) 3333 - Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing) or quivalent.
Working Location
- Washington D.C., USA
Working Policy
- On-Site
Contract Duration
- January 2027 - December 2029
Security Clearance
- Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance