Requirement: Communications Standards Support Services
Location: Brussels, BELGIUM
Full Time On-Site: Yes
Time On-Site: 100%
Not to Exceed Rate: 99 EUR
Total Scope of the request (hours): 1087
Required Start Date: No Later Than 17 June 2026
End Contract Date: 31 December 2026
Required Security Clearance: NATO SECRET
Please do NOT apply for any NATO contract positions unless you meet ALL the following criteria:
- Current National or NATO SECRET clearance
- Nationality of one of the NATO member countries
- Current work visa for the specific location if applying for an in-country position
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. If the successful candidate is allowed to work remotely, travel to NATO HQ for meetings will be at the candidate's expense. Travel to other locations will be reimbursed as if the travel originated in Brussels. Attendance at these meetings is mandatory.
Introduction:
Cyber Digital Transformation Division (CDT) drives the end-to-end transformation of NATO's Military and Non-Military Instruments of Power, enabled by digital technologies, to enhance the Alliance's ability to execute its core tasks in a Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) environment. In particular, increase Alliance Digital Interoperability, support the modernisation of NATO's Standardization processes, and enable the adoption of data exploitation capabilities and AI.
The contractor shall support NATO's digital transformation by developing and advancing communications and networking standards that enable persistent, secure, and policy-compliant consultation, command, and control networks in support of Multi-Domain Operations (MDO).
We are looking for a well-rounded professional with excellent technical and communication skills as well as experience in the military domain. NATO knowledge would constitute an asset.
Tasks:
The position of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)/Communications and Information Systems (CIS) standards engineering is a professional who is responsible for developing, in some cases maintaining, technical standards that support NATO CIS. The successful candidate will play a role in the design and development of NATO Standardization Documents pertaining to communications and networking and will be working closely with the Chairpersons of Capability Teams (e.g. Cellular Communications for Defence, Line of Sight, Beyond Line of Sight, SATCOM), engineers, National SMEs, the Custodian of the relevant technical specifications and relevant stakeholders. The Communications Standards Engineer will support the Interoperability and Standardization Section (ISS) as a cross-functional resource supporting consistent production of Standards for digital technologies that are part of the portfolio of NATO communications and networking standards.
Requirements Analysis and Stakeholder Engagement:
Description: The contractor shall engage with relevant stakeholders, including Capability Teams (e.g. Beyond Line of Sight (BLoS), SATCOM, Cellular Communications for Defence), Chairpersons, national subject matter experts, NCIA representatives, and standards custodians, to elicit, analyse, and validate requirements related to communications and networking standards. This includes translating complex CIS technical specifications and operational needs into clear, actionable, and testable requirements.
Measurement: Success will be measured by the delivery of stakeholder-approved requirements documentation, evidence of alignment with Capability Team priorities, and documented stakeholder interactions, decisions, and feedback.
Timeline: Continuously throughout the period of performance.
Development of NATO CIS Technical Standards:
Description: The contractor shall contribute to the design, development, and maintenance of NATO Standardization Documents related to communications and networking, including STANAGs, Allied Communications Publications (AComP), and Standards Related Documents (SRD). This includes supporting the modernization and consistency of NATO CIS standards across relevant domains.
Measurement: Success will be measured by the delivery and acceptance of draft and final standardization artefacts by relevant governance bodies, demonstrated compliance with NATO standardization processes, and alignment with operational CIS requirements.
Timeline: Continuously throughout the period of performance, with key deliverables aligned to Capability Team schedules and governance cycles.
Development of Conformance Criteria:
Description: The contractor shall define and document conformance criteria for NATO communications systems, with a particular focus on Beyond Line of Sight (BLoS) specifications. This includes identifying measurable technical criteria that support interoperability and enable system integration early in the development lifecycle.
Measurement: Success will be measured by the delivery of approved conformance criteria within the BLoS Capability Team portfolio, evidence of their adoption in system development or integration activities, and validation by relevant stakeholders.
T imeline: Initial conformance criteria developed by the end of Q4 2026, with updates and refinement performed continuously thereafter.
Development of Application Layer IP Connectivity Standards:
Description: The contractor shall support the development of application layer and routing protocols enabling integration of HF and other BLoS communications systems with IP-based networks. This includes working closely with Capability Teams and standards custodians to define interoperable and scalable connectivity solutions.
Measurement: Success will be measured by the delivery of technical specifications or contributions to standards enabling application layer IP connectivity, successful validation within Capability Team activities, and demonstrated interoperability between systems.
Timeline: Delivery of proposed solutions by the end of Q4 2026.
Interoperability and Systems Integration Support:
Description: The contractor shall support interoperability across NATO CIS systems by ensuring that developed standards and specifications enable effective integration across communication domains, including BLoS, LoS, SATCOM, and cellular systems.
Measurement: Success will be measured by demonstrated interoperability outcomes, reduction of integration issues identified by stakeholders, and validation of standards within operational or testing environments.
Timeline: Continuously throughout the period of performance.
Governance, Coordination, and Capability Team Support:
Description: The contractor shall support governance and coordination activities across Capability Teams, NCIA, and standard custodians, ensuring alignment, consistency, and progress of communications standardization efforts. This includes supporting Chairpersons and contributing to structured standardization processes.
Measurement: Success will be measured by documented coordination activities, timely contributions to Capability Team outputs, and stakeholder feedback demonstrating effective collaboration and alignment.
Timeline: Continuously throughout the period of performance.
Reporting, Briefings, and Technical Communication:
Description: The contractor shall prepare and deliver briefings, technical presentations, and reports to NATO committees, Capability Teams, and working groups, clearly communicating progress, technical solutions, and recommendations.
Measurement: Success will be measured by the timely delivery of high-quality reports and presentations, documented briefings, and stakeholder feedback indicating clarity, relevance, and effectiveness of communication.
Timeline: Continuously throughout the period of performance.
Profile:
- The candidate must possess a university degree in a relevant CIS field such as systems science, or an equivalent technical qualification.
- The candidate must have at least five (5) years of experience working with NATO CIS technical specifications, including demonstrated knowledge of their application in operational environments.
- The candidate must demonstrate strong project management skills.
- The candidate must demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- The candidate must demonstrate the ability to analyse complex technical specifications and translate them into clear, actionable requirements or technical guidance.
- Knowledge of the NATO Digital Policy Committee (DPC) and its substructure is desirable.
- Knowledge of NATO standardization artefacts, including STANAGs, Allied Communications Publications (AComP), and Standards Related Documents (SRD), is desirable.
- Professional certifications in areas such as ITIL, PRINCE2, PMP, or CIS governance are desirable.
- The candidate must demonstrate the following competencies: analytical thinking (ability to perform complex analyses and develop structured solutions), clarity and accuracy (ability to produce high-quality, error-free work), conceptual thinking (ability to apply and adapt learned concepts), customer-service orientation (taking ownership of issues and ensuring resolution), initiative (ability to act decisively in a time-sensitive and fast-paced environment), and organisational awareness.
