Legal Counsel

DIANA is the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic, a NATO body dedicated to finding and accelerating innovation to provide decisive defence and security effects for the Alliance, while fostering deep‑tech innovation. DIANA is comprised of a Board of Directors representing all 32 nations and an operational team referred to as the DIANA Executive (DX). Operating from three offices in Europe and North America, the DX leverages a network of military end users, world‑leading accelerator sites, test centres, professional mentors and experts, and Allied expertise to accelerate the most innovative technologies from across the NATO Alliance. DIANA is a dynamic, agile workplace that strives for innovative thinking, diversity, and performance excellence across all teams.

The Legal Counsel provides legal advice and support across DIANA's mandate and operations, contributing to the management of legal risk, institutional governance, and the development and application of legal frameworks and agreements. The role is responsible for handling a range of legal matters with a degree of autonomy, while more complex or sensitive issues are escalated as appropriate. The role also supports data protection and information governance activities within DIANA.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide legal advice across a range of areas including international, public, regulatory, and commercial law relevant to DIANA's activities, identifying legal risks and proposing appropriate mitigation measures.
• Draft and review legal instruments, including Memoranda of Understanding, contracts, regulatory documents, and internal policies, ensuring consistency with NATO frameworks and host nation requirements.
• Contribute to the development, interpretation, and implementation of internal legal frameworks, policies, and governance arrangements, supporting the provision of legal advice to stakeholders.
• Support organisational decision‑making by delivering clear, well‑reasoned, and practical legal analysis to internal stakeholders, ensuring alignment with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments relevant to DIANA's activities (e.g. defence, technology, procurement, and innovation), identifying potential implications and supporting appropriate organisational responses.
• Support data protection and information governance activities, including maintaining relevant documentation, advising on routine matters, and escalating complex or high‑risk issues as appropriate.
• Liaise with colleagues across DIANA and, where required, with NATO bodies and external stakeholders, supporting coordination, consistency, and information exchange on legal matters.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of legal templates, guidance materials, and internal processes to support consistent and high‑quality legal outputs.
• Perform any other related duties as required.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

• A Bachelor's degree at a nationally recognised/certified university in law or a related discipline and a minimum of 2 years post‑related experience OR, exceptionally, the lack of a Bachelor's degree in law or related field may be compensated with at least 6 years extensive and progressive expertise in duties related to the function of the post.
• A minimum of 2 years of work experience in legal areas relevant to DIANA's activities, such as public procurement, defence or technology regulation, or international public law.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience providing legal advice with minimal supervision.
• Experience drafting clear, accurate, and well‑structured legal documents.
• Experience supporting data protection and information governance activities, including handling sensitive information and understanding compliance requirements.
• Ability to engage effectively with stakeholders and communicate legal concepts in a clear and practical manner.
• Experience working in a multidisciplinary or international environment.
• Strong analytical, organisational, and time‑management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Possess the following minimum levels of NATO's official languages (English/French): V (Advanced) in one; and I (Beginner) in the other.

DESIRABLE

• Legal work experience in an innovative, technology‑driven, or start‑up environment, or exposure to legal work supporting innovation or emerging technologies.
• Exposure to international or commercial legal matters within a public, international, or regulated organisational context.
• Knowledge of the legal or regulatory framework of one or more of the Host Nations (United Kingdom, Canada, or Estonia).
• Knowledge of NATO institutional framework, policies and procedures.

COMPETENCIES

• Organisational and environmental awareness
• Ability to take initiative and responsibility
• Ability to adapt and be flexible
• Ability to provide positive customer service
• Ability to plan and prioritise in dynamic conditions
• Ability to build positive working relationships and contribute to collective work products
• Self‑awareness and a learning mindset

WHAT WE OFFER

• Genuinely meaningful work as part of the newest unit within the most successful alliance in history.
• Tax‑free salary.
• Household and children's allowances and privileges for expatriate staff including expatriation and educational allowances (where applicable) and additional home leave.
• Excellent private health insurance scheme.
• NATO pension scheme.
• Generous annual leave of 30 days plus official holidays.
• Flexible working conditions and a smoke‑free office in London.
• Opportunities for learning and development.

CONTRACT

In accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations, the successful candidate will receive a definite duration contract of three years, which may be followed by an extension. If the successful applicant is seconded from the national administration of one of NATO's member States, a 3‑year definite duration contract will be offered, which may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years subject to the agreement of the national authority concerned. The maximum period of service in the post as a seconded staff member is six years. The incumbent is required to be a resident in the host nation for the duration of their contract. DIANA has a flexible teleworking policy to permit working in office, at home, and across NATO Allied Nations subject to managerial approval.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

NATO is committed to diversity and inclusion, and strives to provide equal access to employment, advancement and retention, independent of gender, age, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, cultural background, sexual orientation, and disability. NATO is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible working environment, where all candidates living with disabilities can fully participate in the recruitment and selection process. If you require reasonable accommodation, please inform us during your selection process along with documented medical evidence to support your request. All NATO DIANA personnel are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the current NATO Code of Conduct as agreed by the North Atlantic Council (NAC), and thus display the core values of integrity, impartiality, loyalty, accountability and professionalism.