Athanasios Koutras
Brussels
Summary
Trilingual professional with extensive experience in diplomacy, policy, project, and resource management, stakeholder engagement, and event coordination within an intergovernmental organization like NATO. Deep interest in and comprehensive understanding of European affairs, defense, and transatlantic relations. Possessing academic expertise in EU processes, policies, and Eurasian geopolitics. Known for exceptional organizational skills, efficiency, proactivity, and adaptability as a valuable team player. Demonstrated track record in analytical thinking, effective communication, diplomatic negotiations, and drafting abilities.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Manager (Stakeholder Management)
Resources Management Division; NATO SHAPE
01.2023 - Current
- Main focal point for all communications related to a multi-million dollar NATO programme for military projects, providing supporting and problem-solving capabilities through daily dynamic engagement with stakeholders with substantial contribution to expediting project delivery while optimizing allocation of available resources.
- Established effective periodic communication with more than 150 influential stakeholders across NATO, influencing and boosting collaboration, stakeholder involvement and project implementation pace.
- Created and executed an effective stakeholder management plan for the programme, enhancing implementation status monitoring and execution planning, via successful stakeholder profile mapping in terms of risks, priorities, commitment and communication preference.
- Produced numerous strategic level reports, presentations and papers on military capabilities and resource-related topics, effectively synthesizing and articulating complex concepts and information in a concise and clear manner, tailored for wider audiences.
- Participated to the military and political NATO Resource Committees in more than 50 sessions, successfully leveraging the funding endorsement of more than 40 multi-million dollar military capability projects via the presentation of strategic presentation and compelling statements to a forum of 32 nations.
- Led the successful organization of more than 13 NATO workshops across Europe, both virtually and onsite, as well as two major senior -lever NATO conferences with more than 100 attendees.
Principal Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary General - Public Diplomacy
Public Diplomacy; NATO Headquarters
06.2022 - 08.2022
- Engaged with media stakeholders, organized meetings, drafted speaking points, coordinated official missions, and managed social media accounts.
- Organized meetings of the Assistant Secretary General and the Deputy with senior officials, including
Ambassadors, via liaising with senior diplomats and coordinating the meeting’s agenda and talking points. - Drafted speaking points and background for the Deputy Assistant Secretary General's interviews and media engagements.
- Organized and coordinated the official missions and trips of the Deputy Assistant Secretary General, in
terms of logistical preparation, programme, budget, engagements and administrative arrangements. - Coordinated numerous divisional tasks, in terms of delegation, review and completion.
- Engaged in the management of NATO leadership's social media accounts, including via the provision of
post proposals.
Staff Officer - Risk Management
J6 Cyberspace Division; NATO SHAPE
05.2022 - 06.2022
- Coordinated risk management for cyber strategic risks, drafted Terms of Reference, and represented the division in working group sessions.
- Drafted the Terms of Reference for the establishment of a Working Group for the management of cyber
strategic risks concerning NATO CIS systems. - Represented J6 division in Strategic Management Working Group sessions and wrote concise read-outs
for the division’s leadership.
Principal Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary General - Defence Policy and Planning
Defence Policy & Planning; NATO Headquarters
10.2020 - 03.2022
- Led the organisation and preparation of several senior level meetings and events, both virtual and onsite,
via liaising with senior NATO officials as well as with NGOs, international organisations, trade associations,
think tanks, government officials and senior diplomats such as the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung foundation
and the European External Action Service. - Organised and coordinated the official missions and trips of the Deputy Assistant Secretary General, in
terms of logistical preparation, programme, budget, engagements and administrative arrangements. - Monitored policy developments and provided targeted analysis on EU defence and foreign policy as well
as NATO-EU cooperation and NATO’s approach to China. - Coordinated the delegation and completion of numerous divisional taskings while serving as one of the main representatives and coordinators of the Defense Policy and Planning division for the development of the divisional requirements for the implementation of NATO 2030.
- Drafted checklists and speaking notes for NATO's leadership, including for a meeting between the
Secretary General of NATO and the Canadian Minister of Defence. - Covered North Atlantic Council as well as Military Committee sessions and wrote thorough minutes as
well as concise read-outs covering a broad spectrum of complex policy issues including, NATO's approach to the Ukrainian crisis, the defence and nuclear policy of China and Russia as well as NATO-EU cooperation.
Intern - Defence Policy and Planning
Defence Policy & Planning; NATO Headquarters
03.2020 - 10.2020
- Coordinated high-level discussions of the Defence Policy and Planning Committee, as Committee Secretary, covering numerous complex portfolios that included the nuclear and military build-up of Russia, DDA and the NATO Defence Planning Process (NDPP).
- Engaged with senior diplomats and government officials representing the member states of NATO on
matters of Committee coordination, negotiations and decisions. - Analyzed the complex, sensitive and classified content of Committee discussions and wrote concise
decision sheets for distribution to the delegations of NATO's member states. - Prepared strategic PowerPoint presentations and briefings for conferences and workshops.
- Prepared committee meetings, drafted their agendas, and provided logistical and technical support.
Information Management Assistant - Partnerships Directorate
Partnerships Directorate; NATO SHAPE
04.2018 - 07.2018
- Contributed to further enhancement of cooperation between NATO and its Partner nations through the
facilitation of information sharing, mainly in terms of classified documents. - Managed the NATO Partners document database with a focus on fault resolution and drafted technical
support documents.
Education
Master of Arts - European Studies
KU Leuven
Leuven, Belgium01.2021
Bachelor of Arts in History and Archaeology -
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
01.2018
Skills
- Project Planning and Development
- Complex Problem-solving
- Stakeholder Relationship and Partnership Building
- Multicultural Sensitivity
- Strategic Document and Presentation Creation
- Project Management
- Event Planning
- Excellent Verbal and Written Communications
- Public Speaking
- Microsoft 365 Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, SharePoint, Outlook, Teams)
Languages
Greek
English
French
Timeline
Project Manager (Stakeholder Management)
Resources Management Division; NATO SHAPE
01.2023 - Current
Principal Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary General - Public Diplomacy
Public Diplomacy; NATO Headquarters
06.2022 - 08.2022
Staff Officer - Risk Management
J6 Cyberspace Division; NATO SHAPE
05.2022 - 06.2022
Principal Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary General - Defence Policy and Planning
Defence Policy & Planning; NATO Headquarters
10.2020 - 03.2022
Intern - Defence Policy and Planning
Defence Policy & Planning; NATO Headquarters
03.2020 - 10.2020
Information Management Assistant - Partnerships Directorate
Partnerships Directorate; NATO SHAPE
04.2018 - 07.2018
Bachelor of Arts in History and Archaeology -
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Master of Arts - European Studies
KU Leuven
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