Network Administrator / Network Engineer

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.

Internal reference – Labour categories covered

• L5 Network Administrator · L6 Network Engineer

Role Background

The Network Administrator / Network Engineer operates, maintains and develops the LAN, WAN, wireless and voice infrastructure that supports NATO CIS services. Day to day, the role administers and troubleshoots network services; at engineer level it also designs changes, plans capacity and produces network design documentation.

The role is recruited at two levels: administrator level and engineer level. The experience and certification required for each level are stated below.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• Administer, monitor and troubleshoot routers, switches, wireless controllers and associated network services, restoring connectivity within agreed service levels.
• Prepare, peer-check, apply, verify and record approved network configuration changes (VLANs, routing, firewall rules, QoS) in line with change management.
• Support VoIP and SIP services, coordinate with WAN and carrier providers, and perform connectivity and performance testing.
• Analyse monitoring data, logs and telemetry to identify performance issues, capacity needs and operational risks.
• Maintain configuration baselines, network diagrams, IP address records and operating procedures.
• Engineer level: translate requirements into network designs, technical specifications and implementation plans, including capacity planning.
• Engineer level: plan and execute installations, upgrades, migrations and technology refreshes; develop test plans and support acceptance and operational handover.
• Engineer level: investigate complex incidents, perform root cause analysis and develop automation for configuration, backup and validation.
• Apply security standards and coordinate with cyber security, systems and project teams throughout the network lifecycle.

Essential Skills, Experience and Certifications

• Technical or vocational qualification, or degree, in networking, telecommunications, IT or a related discipline.
• Administrator level: at least three years of experience administering enterprise LAN, WAN and wireless networks. Engineer level: at least four years, including design and implementation.
• Strong knowledge of Layer 2/3 networking: Ethernet, VLANs, STP, IP addressing and subnetting, OSPF; BGP at engineer level.
• Hands-on configuration and troubleshooting of Cisco, Juniper or HPE network equipment.
• Working knowledge of DNS, DHCP, IPAM, SNMP, QoS, VPNs, firewalls and network redundancy.
• Experience with network monitoring and diagnostic tools, and with incident, change and configuration management processes.
• CCNA or equivalent (administrator level); CCNP, JNCIP or equivalent (engineer level).
• Clear technical documentation and communication skills in English.

Desirable Skills, Experience and Certifications

• Experience with MPLS, VRFs, multicast, IPv6 and SD-WAN.
• Experience with network access control (Cisco ISE, 802.1X, RADIUS, TACACS+).
• Network automation with Python or Ansible.
• VoIP/SIP, video or satellite communications integration with IP networks.
• Data centre and virtual networking (VMware NSX/vDS); ITIL Foundation.
• Experience in NATO, defence or other security-sensitive environments.

Language Proficiency

• Professional working proficiency in English, spoken and written (NATO STANAG 6001 SLP 3333 or equivalent desirable).

Working Location

• Izmir, Türkiye, with support to the CIS Support Element in Ankara and other NATO locations as tasked.

Working Policy

• On-site. Extended hours or on-call when the assignment requires it.

Travel

• Travel to other NATO sites in the area of responsibility may be required.

Work Eligibility

• Must hold, or be able to obtain before the start date, the right to work and reside in Türkiye (work and residence permit or Turkish citizenship).

Security Clearance

• Valid NATO SECRET personnel security clearance (or national SECRET clearance recognised for NATO SECRET) held at the start of the assignment; NATO SECRET is required for unescorted access to NATO premises.