Section Head

Spektrum have a wide range of exciting opportunities in several global locations. We are always looking to add great new talent to our team and look forward to hearing from you.

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

The NATO Communication and Information Agency (NCIA) is responsible for providing secure and effective communications and information technology (IT) services to NATO's member countries and its partners. The agency was established in 2012 and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

The NCIA provides a wide range of services, including:

• Cyber Security: The NCIA provides advanced cybersecurity solutions to protect NATO's communication networks and information systems against cyber threats.

• Command and Control Systems: The NCIA develops and maintains the systems used by NATO's military commanders to plan and execute operations.

• Satellite Communications: The NCIA provides satellite communications services to enable secure and reliable communications between NATO forces.

• Electronic Warfare: The NCIA provides electronic warfare services to support NATO's mission to detect, deny, and defeat threats to its communication networks.

• Information Management: The NCIA manages NATO's information technology infrastructure, including its databases, applications, and servers.

Overall, the NCIA plays a critical role in ensuring the security and effectiveness of NATO's communication and information technology capabilities.

The program

Assistance and Advisory Service (AAS)

The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) is NATO’s principal C3 capability deliverer and CIS service provider. It provides, maintains and defends the NATO enterprise-wide information technology infrastructure to enable Allies to consult together under Article IV, and, when required, stand together in the face of attack under Article V.

To provide these critical services, in the modern evolving dynamic environment the NCI Agency needs to build and maintain high performance-engaged workforce. The NCI Agency workforce strategically consists of three major categorise's: NATO International Civilians (NIC)'s, Military (Mil), and Interim Workforce Consultants (IWC)'s. The IWCs are a critical part of the overall NCI Agency workforce and make up approximately 15 percent of the total workforce.

Role ID – C004827

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• Mission Accountability: Directs and oversees the full-spectrum lifecycle sustainment of NATO Network & IS, ensuring the successful completion of all 3rd-level engineering tasks and maintenance activities across the NATO AOR.

• Technical Governance & Configuration: Serves as the authority for configuration management, ensuring that all changes to complex software and hardware configurations are validated and synchronized across the CSSC and FSPs to maintain system integrity.

• Strategic Leadership: Provides high-level technical leadership in systems analysis and complex fault rectification; develops and presents engineered solutions and change proposals to senior stakeholders and higher headquarters.

• Resource & Service Management: Manages the allocation of technical resources and personnel to execute the maintenance schedule validated by the Resource Management Branch (RMB). Ensures all PMIs, CMIs, and ad-hoc activities meet NATO technical standards.

• System Performance Oversight: Oversees the monitoring of system performance metrics and directs proactive adjustments to ensure maximum availability and performance of mission-critical CIS throughout the AOR.

• Project & Installation Authority: Directs the system integration, installation, and testing phases of CIS projects; develops institutional standards for handover and decommissioning to ensure consistent service delivery to all NATO clients.

• Release & Deployment Strategy: Directs the release and deployment strategy for the section, analysing technical risks to ensure seamless software delivery and configuration updates across the AOR.

• Operational Readiness: Directs the delivery of post-intervention reporting and expert engineering guidance during technical surveys, ensuring the viability of mission-critical and deployable CIS.

• Staff Development: Manages the technical training roadmap for all N & IS personnel, including those at FSPs, to ensure the sustainment of specialized expertise and operational readiness.

• Technical Reach-back: Acts as the primary technical authority for the Section, providing senior engineering guidance and reach-back support to FSP technicians to resolve complex NIS issues.

• SOP/WI Validation: Directs the collaborative development andserves as the final validation authority for all SOPs and Work Instructions, ensuring technical consistency across all regional sites.

• Leadership & Synergy: Leads and develops a multi-disciplinary team across the CSSC and FSPs; promotes cross-site synergy and knowledge-sharing to ensure a unified technical approach.

• Performance & Safety: Oversees the annual PMD cycle (acting as 1st and 2nd evaluator) and governs the implementation of work packages in strict accordance with QA and H&S directives.

Essential Skills, Experience and Certifications

• At least 6 years of post-related, progressive experience in the engineering, implementation, and 3rd-level sustainment of complex Networking and Information Systems (NIS).

• Leadership & Management: At least 3 years of experience in a supervisory or leadership role, with a proven ability to manage technical teams and handle personnel performance evaluations (PMD cycle).

• Engineering Authority: Extensive experience in system integration, installation, and acceptance testing of CIS projects, including technical surveys and the delivery of engineered solutions.

• Operational Governance: Practical experience in the development, review, and validation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Work Instructions (WIs).

• Stakeholder Coordination: Demonstrated experience coordinating technical resources and priorities with entities such as Resource Management and Higher Headquarters.

• Quality & Safety: Solid experience in enforcing Quality Assurance (QA) protocols and Health and Safety directives within a technical maintenance or depot environment.

• Remote Support: Experience providing technical reach-back support and engineering guidance to geographically dispersed teams or Forward Support Points (FSPs).

• Analytical Depth: Expert knowledge in systems analysis and complex fault rectification, with a proven ability to apply lateral thinking to mission-critical CIS issues.

• IT Service Management: ITIL® Foundation certification (v3 or v4), to ensure alignment with Agency service delivery and maintenance processes.

• Leadership Training: Formal courses in personnel management, performance evaluation (PMD), or conflict resolution in a multinational environment.

• Health and Safety: Formal training in Occupational Health and Safety (HSE) relevant to a technical workshop or maintenance facility environment.

Education

• A Bachelor's degree at a university of recognised standing in a related discipline (such as Computer Science, Information Technology, Telecommunications, Electronics, or Electrical Engineering).

• Exceptionally, the lack of a university degree may be compensated by the demonstration of a candidate's particular abilities or experience of interest to the NCI Agency; this requires at least 10 years of extensive and progressive expertise in duties related to the function of the post.

Desirable

• Advanced IT Systems Certification: Certifications in server infrastructure or virtualization (e.g., MCSE / Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator, VMware VCP, or equivalent).

• Advanced Networking Certification: A senior-level industry certification in networking (e.g., CCNP - Cisco Certified Network Professional or equivalent) with a focus on routing, switching, or infrastructure.

• Project Management: A recognized project management certification (e.g., PRINCE2 Foundation/Practitioner or PMP).

• Cybersecurity Awareness: Certifications such as CompTIA Security+ or specialized training in securing CIS infrastructure.

• Specialized Systems: Specific training on NATO-standard deployable CIS or cryptologic equipment (if applicable to the mission).

Working Location

• Brunssum, Netherlands

Working Policy

• Onsite

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance

We never know what new opportunities might be just over the horizon. If this opportunity isn't for you, please feel free to send us your resume anyway and be the first to know if something suitable for your skills and experience comes up.