Systems Engineer (CIS Security Accreditation)

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 - C005456  

  Role Duties and Responsibilities   

• Under the direction of NDWC CIS Security Head but largely on their own initiative, the incumbent will perform duties such as the following: 

• Provide security accreditation advice and guidance to NCI Agency Project, System Managers and NCI Agency contractors during whole life cycle of NATO CIS; 

• Conduct Security Risk Assessment (SRA) in support of security accreditation of NATO CIS, in particular; identify level of threats and vulnerabilities for all assets comprising NATO CIS, derive residual risks and provide risk management recommendations; 

• Identify, plan, develop, request and manage development of required documents for accreditation (CIS Description, Security 

• Accreditation Plan (SAP), Security Risk Assessment (SRA) Report, Security Requirement Statements(SRSt), Security Operating Procedures (SecOPs), Security Test and Verification Plan (STVP), and Security Test and Verification Report (STVR); 

• Draft versions of SSRSs/SecOPs/STVPs/STVR templates review where the contractor presents the draft documents to the customer, with the opportunity for the customer to provide feedback and implement uplifts; 

• Witness security testing (in accordance with STVP) and coordinate remediation plan with the relevant SAA; 

• Build and sustain effective communications with different stakeholders, including Security Accreditation Boards, NATO Security Accreditation Authorities, and NCI Agency organization units supporting security accreditation process; 

• Conducts final documents review (after NSAB review) to present and deliver the final report to the customer; 

• Act as a focal point between NCI Agency and NATO SAAs; 

• Represent NCI Agency on security accreditation matters; 

• Provide relevant inputs to various Project and NCI Agency reports; including Highlight reports, Exception reports, Portfolio Strategic plan etc.; 

• Provide subject matter related briefings and presentations; 

• Stay abreast of technological developments relevant to the area of work; 

• Respond to certification inquiries; 

• Deputize for CIS Security Head, as required; 

• Performs other duties as may be required by Line Management. 

  Essential Skills, Experience and Certifications  

• A minimum requirement of a Bachelor's degree at a nationally recognised/certified University in a related discipline and 3 years post-related experience; 

• Or exceptionally, the lack of a university degree may be compensated by the demonstration of a candidate's particular abilities or experience that is/are of interest to NCI Agency, that is, at least 10 years extensive and progressive expertise in duties related to the function of the post. 

• Good knowledge and experience (at least 3 years) in the following areas: 

• Security Accreditation of major CIS acquisition and/or development projects for a large organization; 

• Security risk assessment methodologies and tools; 

• Planning, design and implementation of security components of major CIS. 

• Desirable Experience and Education: 

• Master's degree at a nationally recognised/certified University in a related discipline; 

• Knowledge of NATO Security Policy and supporting directives; 

• Knowledge of PILAR risk assessment tool; 

• Prior experience of working in an international environment comprising both military and civilian elements; 

• Knowledge of NATO responsibilities and organization, including Allied Command Operations (ACO) and Allied Command Transformation (ACT). 

 Working Location  

• The current duty location is set to Braine L'Alleud, but will move to  Brussels in the new NCIA HQ in 2027.  

 Working Policy  

• On-site 

 Travel  

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required 

  Security Clearance  

• Valid Top Secret National or NATO Cosmic Top Secret personal security clearance