Senior System Administrator

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 – C004278

Role Duties and Responsibilities

Systems design

• Follows standard approaches and established design patterns to create new designs for simple systems or system components.
• Identifies and resolves minor design issues.
• Identifies alternative design options and seeks guidance when deviating from established design patterns.

Systems integration and build

• Defines the software modules needed for an integration build and produces a build definition for each generation of the software.
• Accepts completed software modules, ensuring that they meet defined criteria.
• Produces software builds from software source code for loading onto target hardware.
• Configures the hardware and software environment as required by the system being integrated.
• Produces integration test specifications, conducts tests and records and reports on outcomes.
• Diagnoses faults and records and reports on the results of tests.
• Produces system integration reports.

IT infrastructure

• Provisions/installs, configures and maintains infrastructure services and components.
• Monitors, measures and reports on infrastructure load, performance and security events.
• Identifies operational issues and contributes to their resolution.
• Carries out agreed operational procedures, including backup/restore, using supplied infrastructure tools and scripts.
• Carries out agreed system software maintenance tasks.
• Automates routine system administration tasks to specifications using standard tools and basic scripting.

Storage management

• Performs regular high-performance, scalable backups and restores on a schedule and tracks offsite storage.
• Implements documented configurations for allocation of storage, installation and maintenance of secure storage systems using the agreed operational procedures.
• Identifies operational problems and contributes to their resolution.
• Uses standard management and reporting tools to collect and report on storage utilisation, performance and backup statistics

Additional duties for this post:

• Provide assistance with fault resolution and document actions in accordance with Incident Management procedures;
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures for routine system administration duties;
• Provide status updates for assigned requests using ITSM Service Desk Software;
• Follows-up with users on completed requests prior to closing;
• Provide collaboration and assistance to other work sections within Service Operations Branch in support of mission requirements;
• Can support physical task requirements with the ability to lift up to 25 lbs;
• Performs other duties as required.

Essential Skills and Experience

• At least 2 years' experience in the implementing, and managing the underlying technology, software and hardware components that ensure the smooth functioning of servers, storage systems, data centers, and cloud services.
• System Administration on a large computer network;
• Windows & Linux Operating Systems;
• Active Directory & Group Policy Management;
• Virtualization of servers and desktops;
• Storage Area Networks (SANs);
• Data Backup systems;
• Use of scripting to automate tasks;
• Large scale system management tools, such as MCM (Microsoft Configuration Manager);
• One or more of the following Training/Certifications:
  • ITL Foundation.
  • VMware vSphere.
  • Microsoft Windows Operating Systems.
  • Linux Operating Systems.

Education

• Higher vocational training in a relevant discipline with 2 years post-related experience. Or a secondary educational qualification with 4 years post-related experience.

Desirable Skills and Experience and Education

• University Bachelor's degree in a CIS related subject
• Active certifications covering CIS related topics from recognized & accredited organizations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles of computer and communications security, networking, and the vulnerabilities of modern operating systems and applications.
• ITIL certification and experience in applying ITIL Change Management and/or Service Asset and Configuration Management processes.
• Prior experience of working in an international environment comprising both military and civilian elements.
• One or more of the following Training/Certifications:
  • NetApp SAN Storage.
  • Microsoft Configuration Manager.
  • Veeam Backup and Replication.

Working Location

• Norfolk, VA, USA

Working Policy

• On-Site

Specific Working Conditions

• Can support physical task requirements with the ability to lift up to 25 lbs;

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance