Senior scientist

This is a position within the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency), an organization of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

We are the NATO's IT Agency serving 29 nations by deploying and defending its networks, and providing real life support to its operations and missions. We are working around the clock safeguarding the freedom and security of nearly 1 billion citizens.

Do you have experience of Service Management and Control network specifications? Do you have experience of modulation, digital signal processing, coding and security? Do you have experience of defining and implementing vendor agnostic interfaces?

If the answer is yes, this position is ideal for you.

The NCI Agency is currently seeking a Senior Scientist to work within the Service Management and Control Service Line of the NCI Agency in The Hague, Netherlands. In this role, you will be responsible for contributing to the conception, development and execution of scientific programmes; then in collaboration with service area managers, coordinate the activities of related projects and groups.

Role Responsibilities

This is a position within the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency), an organization of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Service Management and Control (SMC) Service Line is accountable to the DIS for planning and executing the full life-cycle management activities (design, transition and operations) for the identified area of responsibility

The Service Line Integration Branch supports all SL Chiefs, Service owners and project managers in everyday management of the service line, service portfolio, respective services and associated projects. The branch assigns technical leads for each directorate to act as the interface for SMC components within each service line, to ensure that all current and future services provided are in line with the SMC architecture, tools and processes.

Under the direction of the Head, Service Line Integration Branch, the successful candidate will perform duties such as the following:

• ·Provide technical and professional contributions to the conception, development and execution of scientific programs and have the ability to federate IT service management information, both in static and deployable environments. These contributions will support, but not be limited to, technical studies, prototyping and test bed applications, trials and demonstrations, and military exercises and operations;
• ·Take part in specific scientific programs and projects, as directed by the Service Area Owner;
• ·In collaboration with Service Line Managers, co-ordinate his/her work with the activities of other related projects and groups within the Agency, project sponsors and other stakeholders;
• ·Manage projects on behalf of Service Line Managers, as agreed with the Service Area Owner;
• ·Give scientific briefings and presentations, write and/or review scientific reports and articles for publication;
• ·Assist in the planning, preparation and hosting of formal and informal visits, meetings and conferences with representatives of military, civilian and industrial organizations;
• ·Perform ad hoc tasks related to Service Line responsibilities;
• ·Deputize for higher grade staff;
• ·Mentor less experienced scientists and engineers;
• ·Perform any other duties as may be required.

Person Specification

Qualifications Required

Holds a University degree, preferably equivalent to a Master of Science (MSc) degree obtained from a nationally recognised/certified University in a discipline related to this post; supported by industry-recognised certifications in Information Technology.

Exceptionally, the lack of a university/college degree may be compensated by the demonstration of a candidate’s particular abilities or experience that is/are of interest to NCI Agency; that is, at least 12 years extensive and progressive expertise in the duties related to the function of the post.

It would be considered highly desirable if you hold additional qualifications in ITIL and in Project Management.

Experience Required

Holds, a minimum of 5 years of post-related experience, specifically in a similar Service Management and Control environment with IT skills in IT systems engineering, networking, and project and IT service management or related areas. In addition to this, it is essential that you are able to display:

• Service management and control networks specification, design and testing, including IP networks;
• Modulation, digital signal processing, coding and security techniques;
• Ability to federate IT service management information for both NCI Agency and national defence IT providers, in both static and deployable environments
• Defining and implementing vendor agnostic interfaces between national IT service providers’ IT Service Management Systems 
• Contributed to the interoperability between internal and external providers
• Development and testing of federation solutions;
• Web, Portal and Proxy services;
• Firewalls;
• Laboratory and field trials planning, execution and evaluation

 It would be considered highly desirable if you are able to display:

• Knowledge of project management methodologies.
• Prior experience of working in an international environment comprising both military and civilian elements
• Knowledge of NATO responsibilities and organization, including ACO and ACT 

Competencies Required

• ·Creating and Innovating - Produces new ideas, approaches, or insights; creates innovative products or designs; produces a range of solutions to problems;
• ·Presenting and Communicating Information - Speaks fluently; expresses opinions, information and key points of an argument clearly; makes presentations and undertakes public speaking with skill and confidence; responds quickly to the needs of an audience and to their reactions and feedback; projects credibility;
• ·Writing and Reporting - Writes convincingly; writes clearly, succinctly and correctly; avoids the unnecessary use of jargon or complicated language; writes in a well-structured and logical way; structures information to meet the needs and understanding of the intended audience;
• ·Applying Expertise and Technology - Applies specialist and detailed technical expertise; uses technology to achieve work objectives; develops job knowledge and expertise (theoretical and practical) through continual professional development; demonstrates an understanding of different organisational departments and functions;
• ·Analysing - Analyses numerical data and all other sources of information, to break them into component parts, patterns and relationships; probes for further information or greater understanding of a problem; makes rational judgements from the available information and analysis; demonstrates an understanding of how one issue may be a part of a much larger system;
• ·Delivering Results and Meeting Customer Expectations - Focuses on customer needs and satisfaction; sets high standards for quality and quantity; monitors and maintains quality and productivity; works in a systematic, methodical and orderly way; consistently achieves project goals.

Language Skills

Most of the work of the NCI Agency is conducted in the English language, and therefore a thorough knowledge of English, both written and spoken, is essential and some knowledge of French is desirable.

Travel

Business travel to NATO and national (NATO and non-NATO) facilities as well as frequent travel between the NCI Agency offices.

May be required to undertake duty travel to operational theatres inside and outside NATO boundaries.

What do we offer?

• Excellent tax-free salary, including (where eligible) expatriation household and children's allowances and additional privileges for expatriate staff.
• Education allowance for children (where appropriate) and an excellent private health insurance scheme.
• Generous annual leave and home leave (if eligible).
• Retirement Pension Plan.

To learn more about NCI Agency and our work, please visit our website.

Please note that due to the Agency’s transition into a new structure in the near future, this post may be subject to transfer to one of our other locations, as well as to a change of reporting lines. The final decision will be made at the time of a firm offer.