Section Head (Communication and Network Systems)

Duties

• Mission Accountability: Directs and oversees the full-spectrum lifecycle sustainment of NATO Network and IS, ensuring the successful completion of all 3rd-level engineering tasks and maintenance activities across the NATO AOR.
• Technical Governance and 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 and 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 and 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 and 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 and 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 and serves as the final validation authority for all SOPs and Work Instructions, ensuring technical consistency across all regional sites.
• Leadership and 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 and 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 and S directives.
• The incumbent may be required to perform similar duties at the same grade elsewhere within the Agency, without any change to the contractual terms.

Requirement

• 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.
• 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 and 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 and 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.

Preferences

• 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).