NATO's Public Diplomacy Division (PDD) plays a key role in developing the Alliance's strategic and political messages and conveying them to opinion formers and to the public in general. PDD works to raise the Alliance's profile with audiences world-wide, and to build support for Alliance operations and policies. The Division provides information environment awareness to the Secretary General and other NATO HQ stakeholders; and it acts as coordinator for strategic communication activities undertaken by other Divisions at NATO Headquarters, as well as by other entities belonging to the NATO structure.
The Assistant Secretary General (ASG) reports directly to the Secretary General of NATO and advises the Secretary General on strategic communication issues. S/He will, in close cooperation with the Spokesperson and under direction of the Secretary General, set the overall communications objectives, identify key audiences, and oversee the prioritisation of resources and the execution of plans.
The ASG/PDD will speak in public fora and to the Press on behalf of the Secretary General and there is a substantial representation function associated with this appointment within NATO HQ, NATO wide, with nations and with the public.
The ASG will manage the Division and will be supported by a Deputy, while working closely with the NATO Spokesperson.
There are eight ASGs, all of whom report to the NATO Secretary General and are also accountable to the North Atlantic Council. As a member of the Secretary General’s senior management team, each ASG is also expected to contribute to overall policy development and delivery, including in areas beyond their direct set of responsibilities.