JOB DESCRIPTION

OPEN TO NATIONALS OF NATO MEMBER STATES ONLY

 

STAFF VACANCY 251754

 

 

DIVISION: International Military Staff

Cyber and Digital Transformation Division

Digital Readiness and Operations Directorate

Digital Readiness and Operations Section

TITLE: Principal Assistant (Spectrum Management)

GRADE: B-5/G-12

 

 

Please note that the competition for this post will be conducted on-site and is tentatively scheduled to be completed by the second trimester of 2026.

 

 

1. Post Context:

 

The Cyber and Digital Transformation Division (CDT), under the leadership of the Assistant Secretary General for Cyber and Digital Transformation (ASG CDT) oversees all aspects of cyber and digital transformation across the entire NATO enterprise and is the principal institutional engine for advancing the Alliance’s agenda on those issues. The division also coordinates on all aspects linked to countering hybrid actions. The Division is a fully integrated Staff composed of members of the International Military Staff (IMS) and the International Staff. As a fully integrated civilian-military Division, it provides coherent, credible, and actionable advice to the North Atlantic Council (NAC) and NATO’s senior decision-making bodies, most notably the Digital Policy Committee (DPC), the Cyber Defence Committee, the Operations Policy Committee in Hybrid format (OPCH) and the Military Committee (MC), through the Military Committee Working Group (Communication and Information Systems (MCWG(CIS). In addition, CDT contributes to other Committees when relevant where it provides subject matter expertise to guide deliberations, ensure coherence, and inform decisions.

Concerning governance and the NATO Enterprise, CDT also provides secretariat and staff support to the Senior Executive Group (SEG), thereby steering its strategic priorities and progress of key CIS/ICT delivery efforts and cyber defence issues.

Within the Division, there are three Directorates: Strategy and Policy, Capability Development and Plans and Digital Operations and Readiness. Within the Digital Readiness and Operations Directorate, the Digital Readiness and Operations Section facilitates the implementation of key digital strategies and policies. This is driven by a clear focus on Alliance Operations and Mission in order to realise the full potential of multi-domain operations by benefitting from Digital Transformation and Digital Innovation efforts. The Section oversees the planning and conduct of exercises on behalf of the MC. The Section acts as the Staff lead for the development of Radio Frequency Policies, Strategies, Standards and Guidances. It supports the wider development of Electromagnetic Operations Policies and related supporting documents, ensuring effective and efficient use of the scarce spectrum resources. The Section also provides a Spectrum Management service – Alliance wide – for commonly agreed NATO bands and frequencies.

The Principal Assistant (Spectrum Management) is the Primary Frequency Assignment Technical Expert for the daily management of those parts of the Radio-Frequency Spectrum for which the management has been handed over to NATO on behalf of the NATO nations. In addition, the incumbent is responsible for maintaining the Spectrum Management Information Repository (SMIR) Database.

2. Principal Duties:

The incumbent:

 

a. Is the primary Frequency Assignment Technical Expert for the management of the Radio Frequency Spectrum in ITU Region 1 for which the daily management has been delegated to DC by the NATO Nations and relevant Partner Nations (PN) as well as for all the information stored in the Spectrum Management Information Repository (SMIR). These spectrum resources include, but are not limited to parts of the HF, VHF, and UHF frequency ranges, TACAN Channels, SATURN Net-Numbers and Mode S Interrogator Codes.

b. Utilises spectrum engineering to account for communication equipment characteristics, transmission media, extent of use, and the electromagnetic environment.

c. Coordinates in a back-up role with NATO Nations and Commands and, as required, with Partner Nations on all frequency assignment requests as detailed in paragraph a.

d. Applies various spectrum management tools to many aspects of managing the radiofrequency spectrum. These tools include, but are not limited to, the Central Integrated Frequency Assignment System (CIFAS) and the Spectrum Management Information Repository On-Line (SMIROnLine).

e. Updates, maintains and quality controls the NATO SMIR Database containing all frequency management related information registered by NATO Commands and Nations. Performs SMIR Database updates and normalisations as required in support of NATO spectrum management policy and doctrine decisions. Oversees regular updates of the SMIR Database content by the Nations and Commands. Performs additional SMIR Database transactions and analysis as required.

f. Conducts telephonic and e-mail exchange of radio-frequency management data among all NATO and PN National Radio-Frequency Agencies (NARFA) and associated spectrum users.

g. Provides spectrum management operational advice to NATO Nations, Commands, and organisations as required.

h. Assists in the preparation of meetings and workshops of the NATO Civil/Military Spectrum Capability Panel (CaP 3) and its substructure, and contributes to the development and maintenance of NATO documents on spectrum management policy and procedures, including but not limited to the NATO Frequency Management Handbook and Allied Electro Magnetic Spectrum Publications (AEMP).

i. Performs IT-related radio-frequency management activities such as providing advice from an operator’s view in the development of new software tools and evaluating new software tools.

j. Provides and/or supports training on NATO approved software tools and applications during DC-tailored workshops, training sessions and seminars at NATO Headquarters as well as at the NCIA Academy for NATO and PN users.

k. Maintains and updates the SMIROnLine on-line tutorial.

l. Maintains and updates the SMIROnLine database, including supervising user accounts.

m. Mentors and back-ups the other Frequency assignment Technical Experts (IMS NDX 0070 and 0080)

n. Provides Portfolio, Programme and Project management functions and participates in the works of Integrated Project Teams as directed by the Section Head for the accomplishment of CDT target activities.

o. Performs other duties as directed by the Branch Head through the Principal Engineer (Spectrum Management and Operations) IMS NDX 0050A

3. Special Requirements and Additional Duties:

 

The incumbent may be required:

 

a. to undertake TDY assignments both within and outside of NATO’s boundaries.

b. to perform other related duties as directed albeit in a different organisational element, to that which the individual normally works.

c. to work irregular hours and overtime.

 

4. Essential Qualifications:

 

The incumbent should have:

Professional/Experience.

a. a proven record of 5 years in operational, national and/or international-level radiofrequency spectrum assignment and management;

 

b. experience in the following fields:

i. Operation of military C&E systems in a field environment;

ii. Antennas and propagation;

iii. Frequency-hopping and spread spectrum systems;

iv. Frequency management assignment algorithms;

v. Modulation methods;

vi. Strategic/operational/tactical military implementation of radiofrequency spectrum.

 

c. experience with applications such as local and central databases using Structured Query Language, graphics, project management and local area networks.

Education/Training.

a. Higher Secondary School (Majoring in Physics, Math)

b. Spectrum Management for NATO (NCIA Academy – A0182), or national equivalent;

c. Radio Frequency Spectrum Management and Tools for NATO Operations and Exercises (NCIA Academy – A0180);

d. Spectrum Management Information Repository On-line (SMIROnline) web application (Level 1) – NCIA Academy (A0183);

 

Languages. Candidates must have an advanced level of spoken and written English. The working language in the IMS is English and therefore candidates will be required to pass a one-hour multiple-choice computer-based test in English at the required level as well as to demonstrate their abilities in the written test and interview.

Computer Literacy. Use of MS-Office applications as well as computer applications and database programs are crucial to the effective and successful execution of daily duties. Advanced user experience with Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint is therefore required.

 

5. Desirable Qualifications:

 

The following would be considered as an advantage:

Professional/Experience.

a. experience in spectrum management in a NATO environment;

b. experience in Local Area Network (LAN) system administration;

c. the incumbent to be able to work with minimal guidance.

Education/Training.

a. NATO C4ISR Technology Orientation for Course – NCIA Academy (A0101);

 

b. NATO Orientation Course – NSO (M5-32);

c. NATO Consultation, Command and Control (C3) Course – NSO (N5-35);

d. Spectrum Management Information Repository On-line (SMIROnline) web application (Level 2) – NCIA Academy (A0185);

e. Non-specified training that will allow the incumbent to remain current or gain new skills associated with existing or emerging requirements of the post (within the context of the job description) may be provided by NATO in accordance with the IMS Training Policy.

 

Languages. An elementary level of French.

6. Personal Attributes:

a. willing to work outside the normal work hours on occasion and willing to travel on a regular basis;

 

b. thoughtful, mature, tactful and demonstrate sound judgement to effectively work within NATO and with the civil authorities from the frequency management community at large.

c. Competencies:

i. Analytical Thinking: Sees multiple relationships.

ii. Flexibility: Acts with flexibility.

iii. Impact and Influence: Takes multiple actions to persuade.

iv. Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation.

v. Organizational Awareness: Understands organisational climate and culture.

vi. Teamwork: Cooperates.

 

d. Managerial Responsibilities: The incumbent will take over the managerial responsibilities of the Principal Engineer (Spectrum Management) – IMS NDX 0050 in his absence.

 

 

 

7. Professional Contacts:

 

 

The incumbent will be expected to maintain contacts and be able to negotiate technical solutions to frequency management-related issues with NCIA, NATO IMS, NATO IS, NATO and Partner Nation NARFAs, and the NATO Command Structure.

8. Contribution to the Objectives:

The incumbent will be expected to work primarily on tasks and objectives related to Spectrum Management and Assignment activities in support of NATO’s and National Exercises and Operations, the Digital Readiness and Operations Section, Cyber and Digital Transformation Division and the NATO Civil/Military Capability Panel (CaP3) as reflected in the DPC Substructure Lines of development.

 

9. Remarks:

• Security Clearance – NATO SECRET (if not currently held, the incumbent must be eligible for this level of clearance).
• Work Environment – Multinational office environment and work with groups where members represent sovereign Nations.

10. How to apply:

Applications must be submitted by 04 January 2026 (23:59 Brussels time) using one of the following links, as applicable:

• For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal (for more information, please contact your local Civilian HR Manager);
• For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment

Applications are automatically acknowledged within one working day after submission. In the absence of an acknowledgement, please make sure the submission process is completed, or, resubmit the application.

NATO will not accept any phase of the recruitment and selection prepared, in whole or in part, by means of generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots, such as Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (Chat GPT), or other language generating tools. NATO reserves the right to screen applications to identify the use of such tools. All applications prepared, in whole or in part, by means of such generative or creative AI applications may be rejected without further consideration at NATO’s sole discretion, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.

 

11. Additional Information.

The successful applicant will be offered a three-year definite duration contract which may be renewed. If the successful candidate is seconded from a national administration, public institution or the armed forces of a NATO member state, he/she will be offered a three-year definite duration contract which may be renewed for a further period of up to three years. The maximum time of service in post for seconded staff is six years. Serving NATO international civilian personnel will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations.

Appointment will be subject to the deliverance of the appropriate security clearance by the national authorities and approval of the medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser.

A written test will be held as part of the selection procedure.

Applicants who meet the necessary requirements and who prove to be competent for the post but who are not successful in this particular competition, may be considered for posts of a similar nature, albeit at a lower grade, which may become vacant in the near future.

NATO as an employer values diverse backgrounds and perspectives and is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and talented workforce. NATO welcomes applications of nationals from all Member States and strongly encourages women to apply.

Building Integrity is a key element of NATO’s core tasks. As an employer, NATO values commitment to the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability in accordance with international norms and practices established for the defence and related security sector.

Selected candidates are expected to be role models of integrity, and to promote good governance through ongoing efforts in their work.

Due to the broad interest in NATO and the large number of potential candidates, telephone or e-mail enquiries cannot be dealt with.

The nature of this position may require the staff member at times to be called upon to travel for work and/or to work outside normal office hours.

The IMS at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, is committed to providing equality in working opportunities regardless of sex, race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, age or sexual orientation.

The IMS is a non-smoking environment.