Network Operations Analyst

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.

We are seeking an experienced Network Operations Analyst to support enterprise network infrastructure at the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) in Brussels, Belgium.

The successful candidate will provide first- and second-line operational support, ensuring the availability, security, stability and performance of network services.

The role focuses on Cisco enterprise networking technologies, including Cisco ACI, Software-Defined Access (SD-Access), Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), network monitoring, wireless networking and network security.

The position also involves supporting infrastructure deployments, technology refresh projects, incident resolution and network optimisation.

• Provide first- and second-line support for enterprise network infrastructure.
• Monitor, troubleshoot and optimise network performance, availability and security.
• Install, configure, maintain and replace routing, switching and authentication equipment.
• Support Cisco ACI and SD-Access network environments.
• Administer and support Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE).
• Manage network configuration changes, backups and system health checks.
• Support DNS, DHCP and IP Address Management (IPAM) services.
• Troubleshoot network incidents and implement corrective and preventive measures.
• Support network infrastructure deployments, migrations, equipment replacement and technology refresh projects.
• Stage, test, deploy and commission network equipment.
• Support wireless network infrastructure and related technologies.
• Assist with network security assessments, compliance activities and infrastructure validation.
• Maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), technical documentation and configuration records.
• Support network monitoring and operational reporting.
• Collaborate with internal technical teams, NCIA Service Lines and external service providers.
• Identify opportunities to improve network performance, resilience and operational efficiency.
• Participate in operational planning, technical reviews and status meetings.
• Provide planned out-of-hours operational support when required.
  

• Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI).
• Cisco Software-Defined Access (SD-Access).
• Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE).
• Enterprise routing and switching.
• Campus and data centre network administration.
• DNS, DHCP and IP Address Management (IPAM).
• Network monitoring tools such as Cisco Prime, Cisco CCC, Zabbix and Cisco NDFC.
• Wireless network implementation and support.
• Multi-tenancy network environments.
• Multicast networking technologies.
• Firewall administration and troubleshooting.
• Network load balancing.
• Network configuration management and backups.
• Network incident management and troubleshooting.
• Network infrastructure deployment and migration.
• Network security controls and compliance.

Desirable Skills:

• VMware virtual networking.
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• Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and digital certificates.
• ITIL Service Operations.
• Experience working in international military and civilian environments.

Mandatory experience:

• Minimum 4 years of relevant professional experience following completion of a bachelor's degree.
• At least 4 years supporting campus networks using Cisco SD-Access and data centre networks using Cisco ACI.
• At least 2 years supporting DNS, DHCP and IPAM systems.
• At least 2 years working with Cisco ISE.
• At least 2 years using network monitoring systems, such as Cisco Prime, Cisco CCC, Zabbix or Cisco NDFC.
• At least 2 years supporting and implementing wireless network systems.
• Experience supporting multi-tenant and multicast network environments.
• Experience supporting firewall systems.
• Experience implementing and supporting network load balancing techniques.

Desirable experience:

• VMware virtual networking.
• Infoblox and Splunk.
• PKI systems.
• International organisations with military and civilian stakeholders.

Mandatory Education:

- Bachelor's degree with at least four years of relevant post-related experience.

Mandatory Certification:

- Valid Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification.

Desirable Certification:

- ITIL certification in Service Operations.

Brussels, Belgium

• Working arrangement: Full-time on-site.
• physical on-site presence is required for most daily activities.
• Start date: 18 December 2026.
• End date: 31 December 2026.
• Total scope: 418 hours.
• Working environment: Standard non-smoking office.
• Out-of-hours support: Required when operationally necessary.

Travel
· Some travel to other NATO sites may be required

Security Clearance
· Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance