Deadline Date: Friday 16 October 2026

Requirement: Network and Communication Engineer

Location: Brussels, BE

Full Time On-Site: Yes

Time On-Site: 100%

Total Scope of the request (hours): 1672

2028: Up to a maximum of 1672 hours per year (price per hour will be determined by applying the price adjustment formula as outlined in CO-115786-AAS+ Special Provisions article 6.5)

Period of Performance: 2027 BASE period: 4th January 2027 until 31st December 2027

2028 OPTION period: Possibility to exercise this option from 1st January 2028 until 31st December 2028.

Required Security Clearance: NATO COSMIC TOP SECRET

Special Terms and Conditions: The contractor will be responsible for complying with the respective national requirements for working permits, visas, taxes, social security etc. whilst  working on site at NATO HQ Brussels, Belgium. No special status is either conferred or implied by the host organisation, NATO HQ Brussels, Belgium to the contractor whilst working on site.

1. INTRODUCTION

The BICES (Battlefield Information Collection and Exploitation Systems) is an association of independent elements to enable the sharing and exchange of timely intelligence-related information between all NATO member nations, associated partner nations and the NATO organization. BICES capabilities are intended for national, NATO or coalition use, during peace, crisis and war, supporting decision-makers, deployed force commanders and tactical users. The BICES Group Executive (BGX) works as a facilitator maintaining the core network and coordinating the community-wide provision of capabilities and services operated at national/organisational level. BICES offers a number of services to support BICES users using mainly commercial off-the-shelf (COTS), open source but also an in-house developed software.

Within BGX, the BICES Support Unit (BSU) is responsible for managing the BICES services across the BICES NATO HQ Element that includes the following CIS functional areas by providing daily operational support: BGX Service Desk, Networking/Communications, Secure Voice & Video telecommunications platforms and Systems/Applications services, SharePoint, Call Manager support. Additionally, the BSU provides general maintenance functions, and quality assurance, and manages customer feedback. The BSU provides support related to IT Incidents, problems and service requests to the BICES NATO HQ Element users.

The purpose of this Statement of Work (SOW) is to engage external contractor to staff the BSU.

2. JOB DESCRIPTION

Under the supervision of BSU Chief, the incumbent is responsible for the full lifecycle development, deployment and support of network and VoIP/VTC technology operated by the BICES NATO HQ Element, including interoperability aspects with connected and interconnected systems of Nations or NATO. Embedded in multidisciplinary project teams, the incumbent either leads or contributes to the technical project activities in coordination with other project managers. As a  member of a team of engineers, contractors, and consultants, the incumbent plays a critical role in shaping and delivering future capabilities for the BICES NATO HQ Element.

3. LOCATION OF DUTY

The location of duty is on-site at the NATO HQ offices in Brussels, Belgium.

4. TIMELINES

The base period of performance is 4th January 2027 to 31st December. If the 2028 option is exercised, the period of performance is 1 January 2028 to 31 December 2028.

5. TRAVEL

Occasional business travel may be required. Travel expenses will be reimbursed to the individual directly (in addition to the hourly rate) under NATO rules.

6. SECURITY AND NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT

The contractor must be in possession of a NATO COSMIC TOP SECRET security clearance.

A signed Non-Disclosure Agreement will be required as per Annex C.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

The incumbent must:

• Possess a University degree or an equivalent level of qualification in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) or another related discipline;
• Have a minimum of 6 years’ experience in the field of Network and Systems Engineering;
• Possess at least 3 years of experience in implementing and managing complex and extended Local and Wide Area Networks (LAN/WAN);
• Possess at least 3 years of experience in designing networks which are operating at classified level, including a cryptographic overlay (e.g. Virtual Private Network - VPN) using IP encryptors;
• Possess a CISCO Associate certification (CCNA) qualification or equivalent;
• Possess the ability to monitor and plan the operational parameters of ICT services, within the context of a CIS.

Desirable

The following will be considered an advantage:

• Familiarity with of best practices such as ITIL methodology and implementation;
• Extended CISCO Network training - leading to a qualification equivalent with a CISCO Professional (CCNP Enterprise, CCNP Collaboration, etc.) certificate;
• Experience in designing and implementing networks using virtualisation technology such as Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF);
• Experience in security certification and accreditation for classified CIS within NATO and Multinational programmes;
• Familiarity with BICES systems and procedures;
• Experience working in a multinational environment.

SECURITY AND NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT

• The contractor must be in possession of a NATO COSMIC TOP SECRET security clearance.