BICES Network Operations and Security Centre Chief

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VACANCY NOTIFICATION/ NOTIFICATION DE LA VACANCE DU POSTE

BICES Network Operations and Security Centre Chief-240838Primary Location: Belgium-BrusselsNATO Body: Battlefield Information Collection and Exploitation System (BICES)Schedule: Full-timeApplication Deadline: 23-Jun-2024, 11:59:00 PMSalary (Pay Basis): 6,118.54Euro (EUR) MonthlyGrade: NATO Grade G15-G17Description:

1. SUMMARY:

The BICES Group Executive (BGX), a NATO entity, is the executive body of the BICES

Group (BG). The BG exists to enable the sharing and exchange of Intelligence and

Information between and amongst the NATO nations and with NATO, with other non-NATO

nations and Organizations. The BGX, under the leadership of the Director, is comprised of

the following pillars: Intelligence and Enterprise Services (IES) Division, Programmes,

Engineering and Maintenance (PEM) Division, Operations and Security Services (OSS)

Division and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Cell.

The main role of the OSS Division is to ensure the security of the BICES infrastructure and

maintain its operational posture in accordance with the expectations and requirements of

the BICES Board of Directors (BOD). OSS works closely with the other BGX divisions

especially PEM for maintenance and project implementation activities that directly influence

the BICES posture. The OSS division is comprised of three branches: The Network

Operations and Support Branch (NOSB), the Security Operations and Support Branch

(SOSB), and the Security Accreditation Branch (SAB).

The NOSB is responsible for managing the BICES Network Operations and Security Centre

(BNOSC) that includes the following CIS functional areas by providing daily operational

support: BGX Service Desk, Networking/Communications, Secure Voice & Video

telecommunications platforms and Systems/Applications services. Additionally, NOSB

provides general maintenance functions, and quality assurance, manages customer

feedback and all the supporting elements for crypto equipment, materials and services. The

BNOSC provides support related to IT Incidents, problems and service requests.

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Under the supervision of the Head NOSB, the incumbent's primary role is to provide

operational support for complex CIS technical resolutions and support requests related to a

broad range of IT elements such as networking, secure Voice, Video and Teleconferencing

(VTC), crypto, systems and other associated services. S/He is the primary incident manager

and oversees the incident processes including ticketing system and functions. S/He

contributes to the development of operational documentation required to support day-to-day

management processes, incidents, problem and service requests, by performing recovery,

troubleshooting, maintenance and operational activities. S/He contributes to the

investigation of possible security vulnerabilities, by performing in-depth analyses and

provides reports to the Security Operations branch with recommended actions for the

elimination, removal and/or mitigation of CIS security risks. S/He interfaces daily with

internal and external BICES customers, and could deputize for the NOSB Branch Head, as

required by the Deputy Director for OSS. The incumbent may be required to undertake

operational deployments and/or travel duty assignments both within and beyond NATO's

boundaries. The work is performed in a typical Secure Facility environment where slightly

undesirable conditions may apply. The risk of injury is categorized as: Light Risk of Injury.

2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

The incumbent must:

• possess a University Degree or equivalent in Information Technology (IT);

• have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in communications and information systems, in IT services provision or a related domain;

• possess problem solving and leadership skills;

• have sound technical background coupled with outstanding communicationcompetences;

• have professional experience working with specific expertise Windows, Linux and RedHat based products/technologies;

• have knowledge of LAN/WAN communications, router-based networks, Internet/intranet and web-based technology;

• possess level V (Advanced) of the English language.

The following will be considered an advantage:

• formal training in leadership and management of teams, preferably in an IT environment;

• experience with national BICES and NATO networking and communicationsinfrastructure, technologies, policies and implementation;

• previous experience in NATO and/or national intelligence organizations and systems;

• a working knowledge of BICES and NATO organizations and procedures;

• experience in operations/ coalition operations;

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• experience in the installation, configuration and maintenance of network based services;

• certification on IT industry/service provider standards, (e.g. ITIL, eTOM).

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Prioritize interventions and assignment of resources for incoming requests from BICES

users. Ensure that the requestor is regularly informed and verify the quality of provided

support before closing the related ticket. Collect and validate the performance metrics of

BGX networking, telephony communication services, systems and services, in order to

optimise performance. Support the periodic testing of Disaster Recovery/Business

Continuity Plans and report findings with recommendations on improvements for further

developments. Stay abreast of technological developments relevant to the area of work.

Maintain, update and modify network related system management and monitoring services,

and act as a conduit of technical information between OSS and other BGX network

specialists.

People Management

Lead the BNOSC team. Provide in-depth mentoring, coaching and training opportunities and

provide regular feedback on performance. Monitor and promote performance by ensuring

that common standards are applied and by fostering continuous improvement. Provide

regular and fair feedback on performance, informally as appropriate and via the

Performance Review and Development (PRD). Identify possible development and mobility

opportunities for team members. Promote integrity, professionalism and accountability

through a sound and inclusive management culture. Identify, set and communicate

accountabilities and objectives for the BNOSC staff members. Coordinate with the Head of

SOSB the tasks for the cyber technicians assigned to the BNOSC. Identify training

requirements for her/his staff and plan them appropriately. Assign tasks and responsibilities

to optimize overall efficiency of the human resources.

Planning and Execution

Oversee the transition of responsibilities during the installation, maintenance, and upgrades

of all operational BICES services. Collect, analyse and coordinate proposals for required

service and support contracts. Monitor the provision, implementation and operation of

network services and applications to BICES nations, NATO and Coalition Operations as well

as during exercises/trials/events and Risk Reduction Events (RREs). Ensure support to

users requests and/or fixing incidents in order to recover the expected cybersecurity and

operational level of BICES services. Participate in auditing, accounting and verification

processes. Ensure all technical and service oriented documentation pertaining to BGX

interconnections, networking topologies and supporting cable plant etc. is prepared,

properly stored and kept up-to-date. Prepare, review and test Standard Operating

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Procedures (SOPs) for networking, essential BICES services and cryptographic

troubleshooting, ensuring accuracy and standardization of implemented procedures.

Manage the installation, integration, programming, operations and maintenance of BGX

services as agreed in cooperation with PEM MIB and with SOSB for security services.

Secure maintenance of BGX networking and essential BICES services wherever deployed.

Project Management

Oversee and monitor the execution of small projects/programmes and/or provide specialist

technical input. Participate to project teams as assigned.

Stakeholder Management

Promote and maintain professional relations with relevant military and civilian officials and

industry experts, within nations and NATO, as required. Communicate and interact

appropriately with the PEM Maintenance and Implementation Branch (MIB) and/or SOSB

counterparts to ensure the quickest treatment of each user’s request or incident to maintain

or recover the cyber and operational posture of BICES.

Perform any other duty as required.

4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS:

The incumbent reports to Branch Head NOSB and supervises the technicians and operators

both civilians and nationally provided personnel working in the BNOSC. S/He maintains

contacts and communicates with counterparts from both internal and external stakeholders

and liaises with commercial organizations for the purpose of service enhancement or

maintenance in her/his domain of responsibilities.

Direct reports: 13

Indirect reports: 2

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5. COMPETENCIES:

The incumbent must demonstrate:

• Achievement: Works to meet standards. Works to meet expected performance atstandards set by others (management or customers). Executes duties in a timely,efficient and accountable fashion and meets objectives within target dates. May express frustration at waste or inefficiency.

• Analytical Thinking: Sees basic relationships. Sorts tasks in order of importance.Identifies the cause-and-effect relationship between two aspects of a situation.

• Clarity and Accuracy: checks own work. Double-checks the accuracy of work received or given. Checks own work and ensures the quality of service provided.

• Customer Service Orientation: Takes personal responsibility for correcting problems.Takes ownership of the correction of customer-service problems. Corrects problemspromptly, efficiently and without becoming defensive. Monitors client satisfaction.

• Empathy: Reads non-verbal cues and understands meanings. Recognizes emotion by reading body language, facial expression or tone of voice. Demonstrates anunderstanding of others, notices others’ responses. Seeks to understand the concerns and interests of others.

• Impact and Influence: Takes multiple actions to persuade. Carefully preparesinformation and supporting arguments in anticipation of others’ reactions. Adapts a presentation or discussion to appeal to the interests and work environment of others.Calculates the impact of actions, words etc. on the audience and selects language andexamples which are appropriate to the situation and level of staff dealt with..

• Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation. Acts quickly and decisively in a crisis or other time-sensitive situation. Is unafraid to propose and/or take action when the norm would be to wait, study the situation and hope the problem will resolve itself.

• Teamwork: Cooperates. Participates willingly in the team, doing her/his share of the team’s work. Shares information and knowledge freely, offering support and cooperation.

6. CONTRACT:

Contract to be offered to the successful applicant: Definite duration contract of three years;

possibility of renewal for up to a further six years in 3-year increments; possibility of an

indefinite duration contract thereafter.

The maximum period of service foreseen in this post is 9 years. The successful applicant

will be offered a 3-year definite duration contract, which may be renewed for a further period

of up to 6 years, in 3-year increments which may be followed by an indefinite duration

contract.

If the successful applicant is seconded from the national administration of one of NATO’s

member States, a 3-year definite duration contract will be offered, which may be renewed

for a further period of up to 6 years, in 3-year increments, subject also to the agreement of

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the national authority concerned. The maximum period of service in the post as a seconded

staff member is nine years.

Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel

Regulations.

NOTE: Irrespective of previous qualifications and experience, candidates for twin-graded

posts will be appointed at the lower grade. Advancement to the higher grade is not

automatic, and will not normally take place during the first three years of service in the post.

Under specific circumstances, serving staff members may be appointed directly to the higher

grade, and a period of three years might be reduced by up to twenty four months for external

candidates. These circumstances are described in the IS directive on twin-graded posts.

7. RECRUITMENT PROCESS:

Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries.

Applications must be submitted using e-recruitment system, as applicable:

• For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal

(for more information, please contact your local Civilian HR Manager);

• For all other applications:

Please note that at the time of the interviews, candidates will be asked to provide evidence

of their education and professional experience as relevant for this vacancy.

Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national

Authorities of the selected candidate) and approval of the candidate’s medical file by the

NATO Medical Adviser.

More information about the recruitment process and conditions of employment, can be found

at our website ( Please note that the

BICES Group Executive is not a NATO HQ International Staff (IS) subordinated body and

some of the policies applicable to IS members might differ.

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8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The BICES Group Executive is a NATO body. NATO as an equal opportunities employer

values diverse backgrounds and perspectives and is committed to recruiting and retaining

a diverse and talented workforce. NATO welcomes applications of nationals from all Member

States and strongly encourages women to apply. Building Integrity is a key element of

NATO’s core tasks. As an employer, NATO values commitment to the principles of integrity,

transparency and accountability in accordance with international norms and practices

established for the defence and related security sector. Selected candidates are expected

to be role models of integrity, and to promote good governance through ongoing efforts in

their work.

Due to the broad interest in NATO and the large number of potential candidates, telephone

or e-mail enquiries cannot be dealt with.

Applicants who are not successful in this competition may be offered an appointment to

another post of a similar nature, albeit at the same or a lower grade, provided they meet the

necessary requirements.

The nature of this position may require the staff member at times to be called upon to travel

for work and/or to work outside normal office hours.

The BGX offers several work-life policies including Teleworking and Flexible Working

arrangements (Flexitime), subject to business requirements.

Please note that the BGX, located at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium is a non

smoking environment.