System Administrator (Naval Forces Support)

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 – C004742

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• Involved in the transfer and activation of deployed CIS installations during the operational handover of Standing Naval Forces (SNF) NATO flagships.
• Provides on-site remote and off-site technical support to flagships of nations participating in the Standing Naval Forces (SNFs).
• Assists the Core Section Head with daily System Administration of the Hardware and Software for the current version of MS Windows Server, and also includes management of Active Directory Services (Domain Controller, Group and Security Policies, Domain Naming Services), Exchange Server Services.
• Assists with the System Administration of Storage Area Network (SAN) and Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices, including installing applicable firmware upgrades.
• Assists with the System Administration of VMware ESXi Server, VMware vCenter Server Appliance, including performing lifecycle and firmware upgrades.
• Assists with conducting routine backups as required by the Service Level Agreement (SLA) and in line with local Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Assists with the System Administration of Hardware and Software for end user devices.
• Aids in ensuring that all technical and service-oriented documentation related to assigned systems is prepared, stored appropriately, and kept current.
• Maintains close communication with other technicians and engineers within the CSU and the broader NCI Agency.

Essential Skills, Experience and Certifications

• Minimum 3 years of relevant hands-on experience in enterprise infrastructure administration
• Practical experience in VMware virtualization technology is required, including VCSA configuration, ESX upgrades, and bare metal deployment.
• Ability to deploy on short notice to address equipment failures in virtualized mission-critical systems.
• Experience in deploying signed certificates is necessary.
• Familiarity with configuring iSCSI targets for virtualized environments is required.
• Knowledge and experience in Microsoft Server Technologies, including Active Directory and Microsoft Exchange, are essential.
• Understanding of the ITIL IT service management model is necessary.
• Knowledge of incident and problem management processes is important, along with relevant experience.
• Ability to write technical documentation and user guides is required.
• Effective oral and written communication skills are essential.
• Strong problem-solving skills are required, utilizing logical methods to address complex issues and exploring all potential sources for solutions, while being able to identify hidden problems and think beyond initial answers.- Customer focus: Focuses on customer needs and satisfaction; acts with customers in mind; high standards for quality and quantity; monitors and maintains quality and productivity; works in a systematic, methodical, and orderly way; consistently achieves project goals; gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.

Desirable Skills, Experience and Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or related discipline.
• Postgraduate technical training in enterprise infrastructure
• Military / operational CIS
• VMware Certified Professional (VCP) certification.
• Microsoft infrastructure certification (e.g., Windows Server or Identity).
• ITIL Foundation certification.

Education

• Higher vocational diploma in IT

Working Location

• Northwood, Great Britain

Working Policy

• On-site.
• The mandatory working time shall be 38 hours per week, to be performed Monday to Friday, between 09:00 and 17:00.
• A daily unpaid lunch break shall be taken in accordance with local regulations and Agency practices.
• Work may be performed on-site at the designated location and/or remotely, in accordance with project requirements and subject to prior approval by the Agency. The incumbent shall ensure reliable communication, availability during agreed working hours, and secure access to all required Agency systems, networks, and documentation platforms, in compliance with applicable security, information assurance, and data protection policies.

Travel

• This position requires 25%-40% Temporary Duty away from site.
• This position requires personnel to be fully deployable.

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance