Head of Defence and Security Engagement - NATO and European Institutions

Location: Brussels

Salary: circa £76,000 - £90,000 depending upon experience

Contract: 2 Years FTC

Reports to: Director of Strategy

Job Purpose: Working to Director Strategy, the Head of Defence and Security Partnerships will lead HALO’s engagement with NATO and other defence and security orientated donors and partners across Europe, developing and securing opportunities for defence and security orientated funding.

About The HALO Trust

HALO is the leading international NGO working in landmine clearance, explosive ordnance disposal, and weapons and ammunition management. With a diverse workforce of over 10,000 staff working in conflict and post-conflict zones around the world, HALO seeks to save lives and restore livelihoods. HALO’s weapons and ammunition management work is closely orientated to the human security priorities of our host-nations and donors and seeks to ensure a more accountable and legitimate security sector through good governance of weapons and ammunition stockpiles.

About the role:

HALO has delivered weapons and ammunition projects for over a decade, alongside its work clearing explosive hazards. Projects in 16 countries and territories have built capacity to exercise responsible control over weapons and ammunition stockpiles, building infrastructure and providing training, mentorship and enhanced stockpile management.

HALO requires a Head of Defence and Security Partnerships to lead business development of partner and donor opportunities in Europe, with NATO as the priority actor.

The Head of Defence and Security Partnerships will lead and improve HALO’s engagement with the human security, security sector reform, defence assistance, and armed violence reduction sectors, in line with HALO’s global mission. This role will be responsible for bringing in new opportunities for funding from European institutional and private donors focusing on HALO’s weapons and ammunition management work whilst also taking advantage of opportunities for our humanitarian mine action work.  The role will also be responsible for managing the contracting component of any project.

This role is most suited to a professional with experience working at high levels in the defence policy/defence engagement space and is adept at handling donors, and comfortable with new challenges and opportunities.  An experience of contracting in the defence and security sector is required.

Responsibilities:

• Lead HALO strategic engagement in the European defence and security sector enhancing existing relationships and developing new ones in order to secure new business opportunities
• Manage HALO’s day to day relationship with institutional defence donors, including securing of future funding, supporting the agreement of contracts and managing donor expectations
• Lead HALO’s thematic engagement on defence and security assistance
• Work with the Director of Weapons and Ammunition Management in the development and implementation of HALO’s WAM strategy
• Work with the Director of WAM and Director of Strategy in building HALO’s network of stakeholders, donors and partners
• Work with the WAM policy manager in engagement on specific arms control events; attending international events, fora, and conferences as required
• Work to support the Director of WAM and WAM Programme Managers to align activities to HALO’s WAM strategies and policies, to national, regional and international instruments and treaties, and to WAM global best practice
• Work to HALO’s Strategy group in support of the organisation’s strategic engagement and the executive team
• Strengthen HALO’s approach to women, peace, and security with a particular focus on the NATO Human Security Unit and NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security.

• Experience in multilateral diplomacy, particularly within NATO or EU defence structures
• Extensive experience in security or defence within multi-national, international, government, private, military or police organisations
• Strong understanding of NATO funding and mechanisms
• Demonstrable experience in policy reform, security sector reform, donor engagement and grant management
• Demonstrable experience in developing and supporting strategy implementation.
• An understanding of contracting policies and practice within the defence sector.

Desirable Qualities / Experience / Qualifications

• Experience in advocacy or policy influence within international institutions
• A track record in business development and fundraising. 
• Proficient knowledge and application of treaties, instruments, policies and guidelines linked to small arms and weapons control
• An existing network within the European defence and security sector
• Previous experience working alongside host-nation security institutions 
• Previous experience working with a globally dispersed team with diverse skills and knowledge

• Public healthcare, pension, and workplace accident insurance via the social insurance system.

• Eco vouchers worth €250 annually for environmentally friendly products and services.
• Private health insurance through Allianz Belgium, offering comprehensive coverage from day one.
• Private pension and life insurance via Vivium, providing supplementary retirement income and risk coverage.
• Telework allowance to cover home utility costs related to remote work.
• Internet allowance to cover internet expenses associated with teleworking.
• Pension contributions matched by HALO up to 5%
• Flexible working policy

Closing date: Tuesday 2nd December 2025

The HALO Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. The HALO Trust is committed to a culture that is both diverse and inclusive and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

The HALO Trust is committed to ensuring that it provides a safe and trusted environment which safeguards and promotes the welfare and wellbeing of anyone who comes into contact with, or is part of, the Charity, with a zero-tolerance approach to behaviours which challenge this.