Team Leader (Special Systems)/Technician

POST CONTEXT:

 The J2/6 Division is the technical coordination authority for Deployable Communication Information Systems and is responsible for the operational integration, coordination, direction and provision of required technical services for the NATO Communications Information Systems Group and NATO Signal Battalions.

 The incumbent is responsible to the Head DCOI Services Support Centre for the leadership and management of the Special Systems Team and the provision of level 2+ service support of the Special Systems COI Services in operations and exercises.

 Principal Duties

1.  Responsible to the Head DCOI Services Support Centre for leading, supervising and managing the Special Systems COI Services Team.
2.  Performs a technical support role in the DCIS-wide level 2+ support to SS COI services for operations and exercises.
3.  Responsible for the transition of special systems COI services to the operational environment.
4.  Performs authorized DCOI services software changes, following established procedures for quality, configuration control, testing, documentation and security.
5.  Perform system administration of Windows based systems.
6.  Performs the installation and pre-deployment/exercise setup of COI hardware and software.
7.  As required, performs COI systems tests prior to deployments/exercises to ensure proper configuration and operation  of assigned systems.
8.  Performs interoperability tests for assigned COI services.
9.  Performs the investigation and resolution of problems relating to SS COI systems.
10.  Performs COI backups/recovery of Exercise and Operational systems and data.
11.  Elaborates proposal in support of initial training – On Job Training (OJT) for newcomer personnel.
12.  On deployments to operations, missions or exercises, supervises technical staff and contractors from NCISG or from external agencies within his specific area or expertise.

Special Requirements and Additional Duties

The incumbent may be required to perform a similar range of duties elsewhere within the organization at the same grade without there being any change to the contract.

This is a mandatory deployment post. The incumbent may be required to undertake deployments in support of military operations and exercises, and/or TDY assignments, both within and outside NATO boundaries.  Such operational deployment may exceed 30 days duration up to 183 days in any period of 547 days and may be on short notice.  For NATO International Civilian Staff, acceptance of an employment contract linked to this post constitutes agreement to deploy in excess of 30 days if required.

Essential Qualifications

a. Professional Experience

•          Knowledge of software maintenance and its concepts, procedures, policies and architectures.
•         Practical experience in the use of modern concepts and accepted industry standards for software engineering development tools (e.g. Unified Modelling Language (UML), Entity Relationship (ER) diagrams, etc.)
•         Experience in the operational business processes of Special Systems (e.g. Business Support applications, Geographical services, Meteorological services).
•          A minimum of three years’ experience in Core Information systems; this includes as a minimum two of the following:  Windows Server, Active Directory, Domain Naming, Group Policies and Desktop deployment.
•         A minimum of three year experience in Web platforms and database management.
•          A minimum of three years’ experience in Application Support.
•          Good knowledge of system interoperability, LAN/WAN and network concepts.
•          A minimum of one year experience deploying and managing server virtualization technologies.
•          A solid knowledge in Service Management, including incident and change management procedures.
•          Practical experience in creating system documentation and status reports.
•          Proven experience in IT infrastructure management and capacity management.
•          Practical knowledge of storage concepts, and backup/recovery policies.
•          A minimum of two years` experience in database management.

b. Education/Training

Higher Secondary education and intermediate vocational training which might lead to a formal qualification with 3 years’ experience, or Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 4 years post related experience.

c. Language

English - SLP 3333 (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).

Desirable Qualifications

a. Professional Experience

•          Experience in CIS operational support on NATO exercises.
•          Proven experience in the support of NATO Special Systems COI Services.
•          Experience in user technical support, Service Desk operations and/or configuration management.
•          Practical experience in the use of modern concepts and accepted industry standards for software engineering development tools (e.g. Unified Modelling Language (UML), Entity Relationship (ER) diagrams, etc.)
•          Experience in the development/management of DBMS (SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL)
•          Experience in Web services, MS IIS and/or Apache Tomcat.
•          Experience in the use of UNIX/Linux systems.

b. Education/Training

• MCSA or MCSE Certification or equivalent.
•      VMware certification.
•      ITIL Foundation.

Attributes/Competencies

1.  Personal Attributes: - Very competent and skilled technician, with broad experience on support to COI systems on operations and exercises.
2.  Managerial Responsibilities: a. Management of Workload:
3.  Management/Control Workload of Others (Incl. Contractors):
4.  Financial Responsibility: None
5.  Management/Control of Technical Resources:
6.  The incumbent is the primary level 2+ support technician at a deployed location and, as such, is responsible for the operational management of the assigned COI applications to the specific mission, operation and/or exercise.
7.  Professional Contacts: When deployed, can be required to negotiate/provide support to CIS personnel up to OF-3/4 level.
8.  Contribution To Objectives: - High impact to the overall NCISG objectives, as team leader for a specific operational support domain (DCOI level 2+ support).
9.  Supervisory Responsibilities: Standard Team leader supervisory duties to include subordinate development, training and performance evaluations.

Contract

WHAT WE OFFER

38 hours per week schedule;

2.5 paid days of leave per month worked;

Fulfilling working atmosphere in an international and military community;

Serving staff members will be offered a contract according to the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations (NCPR). Newly recruited staff will be offered a definite duration contract of three years normally followed by an indefinite duration contract.

The salary will be the basic entry-level monthly salary defined by the NATO Grade of the post, which may be augmented by allowances based on the selected staff member’s eligibility, and which is subject to the withholding of approximately 20% for pension and medical insurance contributions.

NATO is committed to diversity and inclusion, and strives to provide equal access to employment, advancement, and retention, independent of gender, age, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, cultural background, sexual orientation, and disability. NATO welcomes applications of nationals from all member Nations. 

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.

We believe that all people are capable of great things.  Because of this, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all of the criteria listed within this job description.

Applicants who prove to be competent for the post but who are not successful in this competition may be offered an appointment in another post of a similar nature, which might become vacant in the near future, albeit at the same or lower grade, provided they meet the necessary requirements.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Applications are to be submitted using NATO Talent Acquisition Platform (NTAP) (https://nato.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobsearch.ftl?lang-en). Applications submitted by other means (e.g. mail, e-mail, fax, etc) are not accepted. More information to be found on these links:

6 Tips for Applying to NATO Application Process 5 NTAP allows adding attachments.

A copy of the qualification/certificate covering the highest level of education required by the job description must be provided as an attachment. Essential information must be included in the application form. Particular attention should be given to Education and Experience section of the application form. The application should be in English. Shortlisted candidates will be requested to provide original documentary evidence and a set of copies supporting statements in their applications. After submitting your application, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt of your application.

Remarks:

A) Only nationals from the 32 NATO member states can apply for vacancies at SHAPE.

B) Applications are automatically acknowledged within one working day after submission. In the absence of an acknowledgement please make sure the submission process is completed, or, re-submit the application.

C) Candidates’ individual telephone, e-mail or telefax enquiries cannot be dealt with. All candidates will receive an answer indicating the outcome of their application.

D) NATO will not accept any phase of the recruitment and selection prepared, in whole or in part, by means of generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots, such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (Chat GPT), or other language generating tools. NATO reserves the right to screen applications to identify the use of such tools. All applications prepared, in whole or in part, by means of such generative or creative AI applications may be rejected without further consideration at NATO’s sole discretion, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate