Systems Administrator

Title: Systems Administrator Location: Izmir, Turkey

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 Background

The Systems Administrator provides technical management of the servers, virtual infrastructure, core directory and messaging services and functional-service databases in the area of responsibility, keeping them stable, secure and supportable within the approved baseline and change process.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• Administer all local and remote servers in the area of responsibility, including Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, Exchange and anti-malware services.
• Manage and operate the virtual infrastructure (VMware server and desktop virtualisation), SAN storage and SAN switches; carry out VM lifecycle actions.
• Plan and run mass deployment, monitoring and troubleshooting of OS and application patches on servers and workstations using SCCM/MECM for Windows and Linux systems.
• Carry out database administration (MS SQL Server, Oracle) for functional / COI services and monitor and troubleshoot third-party application deployments.
• Administer SharePoint and support the integration of new and existing applications.
• Implement and manage backup and recovery solutions and verify restored services.
• Monitor, measure and report infrastructure load, performance and security events; resolve alerts in server rooms, storage and servers.
• Contribute to incident, problem, access, event, request, release, change and configuration management; resolve assigned level 1/1+ tickets.
• Maintain SOPs for routine administration, collect KPIs and propose service improvement plans.
• Liaise with CIS security personnel to protect system integrity and coordinate daily with other CSU units and service lines.

Essential Skills, Experience and Certifications

• Higher vocational training in a relevant discipline with at least three years of post-related experience, or secondary education with at least five years.
• In-depth, recent experience with Windows Server, Active Directory, DHCP, DNS, Group Policy and desktop deployment.
• In-depth experience with VMware / mainstream hypervisors and server virtualisation.
• Administration of Windows and/or Linux (Red Hat, Oracle Linux) and single sign-on.
• Administration of MS SQL Server and Oracle databases; SharePoint administration.
• Experience with server clustering, storage (SAN) and backup systems; Exchange and SCCM/MECM.
• Server-side scripting with PowerShell.
• Working knowledge of ITIL; excellent written and verbal communication.

Desirable Skills, Experience and Certifications

• Experience supporting NATO functional / Logistics COI services.
• Experience with SCOM, SCCM and Oracle Enterprise Manager.
• Microsoft AZ-800/801, DP-300, AZ-204 or MD-102; VMware Certified Professional.
• ITIL v4 Foundation and Intermediate.
• Practical experience as a systems or virtual infrastructure administrator in an international environment.

Language Proficiency

• Professional working proficiency in English, spoken and written (NATO STANAG 6001 SLP 3333 or equivalent desirable).

Working Location

• Izmir, Türkiye, with support to the CIS Support Element in Ankara and other NATO locations as tasked.

Working Policy

• On-site. On-call or extended hours when required.

Travel

• Travel to other NATO sites in the area of responsibility may be required.

Work Eligibility

• Must hold, or be able to obtain before the start date, the right to work and reside in Türkiye (work and residence permit or Turkish citizenship).

Security Clearance

• Valid NATO SECRET personnel security clearance (or national SECRET clearance recognised for NATO SECRET) held at the start of the assignment; NATO SECRET is required for unescorted access to NATO premises.