Deadline Date: Monday 31 March 2025
Requirement: Provision of Network Analyst support for Project and O&M (Operations & Maintenance)
Location: Brussels, BELGIUM
Full-Time On-Site: Yes
Time On-Site: 100%
Not to Exceed: 51,750 EUR
Required Start Date: 1 July 2025
Required Security Clearance: NATO SECRET
Introduction:
To strengthen the Alliance through connecting its forces, the NCI Agency delivers secure, coherent, cost effective and interoperable communications and information systems in support of consultation, command & control and enabling intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, for NATO, where and when required. It includes IT support to the Alliances’ business processes (to include provision of IT shared services) to the NATO HQ, the Command Structure and NATO Agencies.
The Directorate of CIS Support Units (DCSU) is responsible to manage, deliver and maintain assigned Communications and Information System (CIS) products and services for the Agency’s customers including NATO Headquarters (NHQ), the NATO Command Structure (NCS), NATO Force Structure (NFS), Nations and internal Agency users. DCSU provides liaison, planning and coordinating functions for Alliance Missions, Operations and Exercises. Services are delivered in coordination with the Enterprise Service Operations Centre (ESOC) and Agency Service Lines/Service Centres under the Enterprise Service Delivery Model (ESDM).
NCI Agency CIS Support Unit (CSU) Brussels, located in Brussels (BEL) is the primary Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) service provider for 24/7 support to the Secretary General, the International Staff (IS), the International Military Staff (IMS) and other Customers in the NATO Headquarters in Brussels. CSU Brussels enables end-to-end CIS services as it installs, operates, maintains and supports the full range of CIS capabilities during peacetime, crisis and war throughout its allocated Area of Responsibility (AOR) and as otherwise directed.
The Network Management Section (NMS) supports and maintains all Local Area Network Systems (Voice and Data) at NATO HQ and is responsible for VoIP implementations, all active and passive network components of the supported networks. It is NMS who provides network infrastructure for journalists during Ministerial meetings and special events and provides support for Remote Connections to the main networks. A crucial part of the responsibility of this section is the static and mobile remote connectivity of the Secretary General.
Objectives:
The main objectives of this statement of work can be summarized as follows:
The service contractor will assist the Network Management Analyst team to provide O&M support for the network environments. The focus of the workload will consist of O&M (Operations & Maintenance) support and project related work. He/she will be essential for ensuring operational resilience, promoting a collaborative work environment and mitigating the risks associated with the dependency on limited resources”.
The O&M support service provides dedicated assistance to the Network Analyst team, ensuring the smooth operation of all network environments. This service focuses on the resolving issues and problems, performing routine tasks that are essential for maintaining system stability, enhancing operational resilience, and ensuring the continuity of service. The project related service provides assistance to the Network Analyst, ensuring the work package deliverables for the Asset Replacement project are met. This service focuses on setup of equipment, perform mandatory security related activities, testing, staging and deployment of the equipment.
Scope of Work:
Under the direction of the Section Head, the resource will provide services related to the following main activities:
* Provide first and second line network support to the Service Centre;
* Perform diagnoses and resolve network incidents and problems;
* Install, replace, modify and configure network systems;
* Monitor network systems and proactively report and resolve potential network issues;
* Create and maintain Standard Operating Procedures to document network systems;
* Operate Cisco Identity Services Engine systems to support client installations, moves and changes;
* Provide support and assistance during preparation and security assessments;
* Take initiative to investigate, diagnose and resolve issues in a systematic approach;
* Ensure that Routing, Switching and other network elements are backed up;
* Propose and implement network improvements;
* and network improvement activities;
* Provide input to and assist with on-site security surveys, validations and acceptance testing of network infrastructure systems;
* Work on own initiative with limited supervision;
* Assist his/her superiors and recommend solutions;
* Periodically provide on demand support outside of business hours;
* Perform other duties as may be required.
It is expected that ONE resource is providing the above services.
The contractor will provide the service on-site. The contractor will provide services during NATO HQ working hours.
The measurement of execution for this service is sprints, with each sprint planned for a duration of 1 week.
The content and scope of each sprint will be agreed in writing, during the sprint-planning meeting, based on the activities mentioned above.
Coordination and Reporting:
The contractor shall participate in weekly status update meetings, activity planning and other meetings as required, physically in the office, or in person via electronic means using Conference Call capabilities, according to the Section Head instructions.
For each sprint to be considered as complete and payable, the contractor must report the outcome of his/her service during the sprint, first verbally during the retrospective meeting and then in written within three (3) days after the sprint’s end date. The format of this report shall be a short email to the NCIA Point of Contact mentioning briefly the services performed and the development of the project related achievements during the sprint.
Constraints:
All the deliverables provided under this statement of work will be based on NCIA templates or agreed with the head of the Network Management Section.
Security:
The services provided by the proposed resource require a valid NATO SECRET security clearance.
Practical Arrangement:
The contractor will be required to provide the service primarily on-site at NATO Headquarters – Brussels – Belgium as part of this engagement. There is no possibility for teleworking.
Travel duties are not foreseen for this service.
This service must be accomplished by ONE contractor.
This individual providing services under this SOW will be part of the Network Management Section.
Security:
The services provided by the proposed resource require a valid NATO SECRET security clearance.
Qualification:
The consultancy support for this service requires a Network Analyst with the following qualifications:
Essential qualifications:
* Possesses a bachelor degree with 2 years post-related experience;
* Hold a Cisco Certified Network Associate certification;
* Good support experience with DNS, DHCP and IP address Management systems;
* Good support experience with Access Layer, Core layer and routing protocols OSPF and BGP;
* Good support experience with Cisco Identity Services Engine;
* Good experience with support and implementation of Wireless network systems;
* Good support experience and knowledge of Firewall systems;
* Experience with monitoring system such as Cisco Prime, Cisco CCC, Zabbix;
* Experience with support of multi-tenancy network environments (VDC/VRF) and multicast network technologies;
* Experience with Splunk;
* Some experience with the support and implementation of Network Load Balancing techniques.
Desirable qualifications:
* Knowledge of VMWare virtual network systems;
* Knowledge of PKI certificates;
* ITIL certified in Service Operations;
* Prior experience of working in an international environment comprising both military and civilian elements.