Senior Strategic Advisor – Cyber & ICT Governance

Spektrum have a wide range of exciting opportunities in several global locations.

We are always looking to add great new talent to our team and look forward to hearing from you.

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

NATO is undergoing a major adaptation of its overall approach to cybersecurity. As part of its mandate, the NATO Chief Information Officer (CIO) is overseeing the coherence of the NATO Enterprise ICT1 capabilities and services and is the single point of authority for cybersecurity. The NATO CIO is responsible for developing and implementing a cybersecurity strategy through a comprehensive cyber adaptation effort. This includes significant interaction with executive stakeholders within NATO, both military and civilian, national representatives and key cybersecurity leaders.

The NATO Deputy CIO for Cybersecurity deputizes for the NATO CIO on matters related to cybersecurity and Cyber Adaptation. This includes maintaining relations and interactions with national leaders, with national delegates to NATO and other key roles with a special focus on cybersecurity. Additional expertise in this area is required, to support the NATO Deputy CIO in managing appropriate interactions with key decision makers, at the level of A6/OF6 (1-star general) and above.

To support this effort, OCIO requires services that will leverage in-depth knowledge of the NATO political environment, experience with national government agencies and decision-making structures in the area of cybersecurity and cyber defence.

The project will improve the coordination between OCIO and Enterprise stakeholders, national delegations and other key decision-makers in implementing the actions derived from the Council mandate for OCIO.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

They will effectively and efficiently provide the following services, with a special focus on political/military issues and investment programme activities in the area of cybersecurity:

• Provide quality executive advice to OCIO leadership, based on relationships with NATO delegations and their representatives on matters related to Cyber Defence, Cybersecurity, capability development, ICT, Cloud Adoption, IT modernization and cybersecurity services. This should include proposing creative, collaborative ways of understanding problems, and crafting recommendations for promising paths forward, with the aim to enhance the “enterprise approach” to cybersecurity; improve coordination across the NATO Enterprise civil and military bodies; and align Enterprise priorities with trends observed in national environments.
  • Measurement: To the NATO Deputy CIO satisfaction with regards to the tailored advice provided by the consultant. Confirmation by the NATO Deputy CIO with regards to the positive impact of the advice provided on the achievement of the OCIO strategic goals and objectives.
• Ensuring a direct liaison function between the NATO Deputy CIO and senior executives within national delegations. This would include building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships, facilitating communications, and acting as a senior NATO CIO representative in official and/or informal meetings (including Allied senior boards and committees), workshops, conferences and exercises;
  • Measurement: Confirmation by the NATO Deputy CIO with regards to the quality of the engagement with national delegations and the value added to achieving the OCIO strategic stakeholders engagements’ objectives.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of the OCIO Program of Work (POW) and high-level strategic documents, such as the Cyber Adaptation Roadmap, with a special focus on cybersecurity. Support the implementation and continuous alignment with the OCIO strategic goals and objectives. Report regularly on progress and provide actionable recommendations on improving performance.
  • Measurement: Monthly progress reports, complemented by an annual overall progress report; a first one by Q4 2025.
• Develop and implement strategies to leverage commercial partnerships and relationships with industry leaders to accelerate NATO’s cyber adaptation efforts. This includes engaging with key technology providers, fostering collaboration between the private sector and NATO’s Cyber Defence Committee (CDC) and NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA), and ensuring that national stakeholders support industry-driven cybersecurity advancements.
  • Measurement: Confirmation by the NATO Deputy CIO with regards to the quality of the engagements with Allies and partners, and the value added to achieving the OCIO strategic stakeholders engagements’ objectives.
• Provide support to the implementation of NATO Integrated Cyber Center, and other high-profile initiatives where the OCIO is involved. This includes setting the direction and requirements based on Allies’ guidance, supporting the design of the NATO Enterprise part of the Center activities, contributing to the definition of specific civili/military cooperation initiatives, supporting the design of specific tools and other related tasks as necessary.

Essential Skills and Experience

• The contractor must have more than 7 years of experience in government circles, government agencies or other bodies dealing with cybersecurity and cyber defence matters at diplomatic, political and technical level.
• The contractor must have familiarity with the technical, military and political aspects and structures of cybersecurity capabilities and cybersecurity governance within NATO.
• The contractor must have experience in leading diplomatic and political negotiations at senior level within a national government entity, or within NATO and/or the EU, where civilian and military interaction is essential
• The contractor must have demonstrated experience engaging with C-suite industry leadership to drive digital transformation and cybersecurity solutions within government or defence organizations. Proven ability to integrate commercial technology solutions into government-led IT modernization efforts while securing national stakeholder buy-in.
• The contractor must have experience advising senior national and multinational decision-makers on cybersecurity policy, defence IT strategy, and secure digital transformation, including engagement with NATO governance boards, CIO leadership forums, and intergovernmental cyber initiatives.
• The contractor must have experience in leading staff work on large and complex projects and in coordinating multiple stakeholders in different and separate locations.
• The contractor must have proven communication and negotiation skills, and be able to address the technical, military, as well as policy aspects of ICT capabilities and cybersecurity in multinational environments.
• The contractor must have excellent English writing skills and the ability to brief on their work in English (NATO equivalent SLP 4343).
• The contractor must have knowledge and experience with the NATO diplomatic and political environment, including the definition of high-profile initiatives in the area of cybersecurity and cyber defence.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Previous knowledge or experience with the functioning of NATO’s governance boards and committees is desirable
• Previous knowledge or experience with the NATO Enterprise structure (to include essential policy and Allies’ guidance) is desirable
• Previous knowledge or experience with national cybersecurity governing structures such as cyber commands, cybersecurity agencies is desirable
• Previous knowledge or experience with NATO cyber adaptation efforts is desirable;

Working Location

• Brussels, Belgium

Working Policy

• On-Site

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance

We never know what new opportunities might be just over the horizon. If this opportunity isn't for you please feel free to send us your resume anyway and be the first to know if something suitable for your skills and experience comes up.