The posting
Deadline Date: Friday 16 October 2026
Requirement: Systems Technician
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 the BSU Chief, the System Technician provides 2nd level support for complex technical issues related to the BICES NATO HQ Element server platforms and associated applications and services. The incumbent contributes to daily Incident and Problem Management processes by performing recovery, troubleshooting, maintenance, and resolution activities. They support the design, documentation, testing and implementation of assigned projects throughout the Service Transition lifecycle. The Systems Technician also assists in investigating potential security vulnerabilities, conducts in-depth analyses, and provides recommendations to mitigate software and server security risks. Work is performed in a secure facility where slightly undesirable conditions may apply. The risk of injury is categorised as: Light Risk of Injury.
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 higher secondary education with at least 3 years post related experience and at least 1 year post-related experience as a Systems Administrator or technician in Microsoft and/or LINUX environments;
- Possess at least 1 year of experience in maintaining SQL Databases;
- Possess at least 1 year of experience in assessing and solving technical issues in a troubleshooting environment and under time pressure constraints;
- Possess at least 1 year of experience in the installation and maintenance of system software such as operating systems, data management products, office automation products and other utility software;
- Have knowledge of virtual server and storage technologies;
- Be able to prepare and maintain documentation of a technical nature (e.g. configuration guides, diagrams, training and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs);
- Must be willing and able to undertake operational deployments and/or travel duty assignments both within and beyond NATO boundaries;
- Be willing to work outside of regular office hours;
- Possess level V (Advanced) of the English language.
Desirable
The following will be considered an advantage:
- Experience in software configuration management;
- Familiarity with ISO 9000;
- Experience in Military and Coalition Operations;
- Knowledge of software development with experience in writing code/scripts and WEB design;
- Certification in IT industry/service provider standards, (e.g. ITIL);
- Certification in Microsoft Server (2019 and beyond), Windows (10 and beyond) and virtualization (e.g. VMware);
- Knowledge of NATO and national IT security policies;
- Experience with the installation, configuration and maintenance of network based systems in accordance with NATO, BICES and/or national security regulations.
SECURITY AND NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT
- The contractor must be in possession of a NATO COSMIC TOP SECRET security clearance.
