Chief, Agency Security Officer

Who we are:

For 75 years, NATO’s mission has been to preserve peace and security in the Alliance for nearly one billion citizens. The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) and its predecessors have worked tirelessly in providing the means that enable the connectedness and togetherness that keep our Alliance strong. We are the NCIA, a team of 3000 civilian and military staff in 29 locations throughout Europe, North America and Asia.

Our technology and cyber experts allow NATO to conduct critical operations, protect NATO’s airspace, make data-driven decisions, defend against cyber-attacks, secure NATO networks and maintain superiority in space. This is all possible because of our greatest force, our people. In order to keep this edge we aim to hire, train and retain the very best staff.

The role:

The Chief, Agency Security Officer leads efforts to ensure the NCIA’s overall security – both cyber and physical – as it drives NATO’s transformation into a Digital Enterprise. The Chief, Agency Security Officer leads and manages the Agency Security Office, coordinating the vision, strategy and business models that support the holistic security of the NCIA. This role drives forward compliance, standardisation and security risk management in line with NATO Security Policy and the NCIA’s business operating models. The role is responsible for blending CIS and protective security elements, with an emphasis on CIS security. The Chief, Agency Security Officer is responsible for coordinating and implementing CIS Security and wider Protective Security policy across NCIA business areas and executing coherent implementation of security tasks across NATO’s security pillars.  

This role involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams to identify vulnerabilities, assess risks and develop preventive measures. It directly reports to the NCIA Chief of Staff and is the Principal Security Advisor to the General Manager. The Chief, Agency Security Officer will be a valued member of the NCIA’s Executive Management Team.

The Chief, Agency Security Officer leads a geographically dispersed team spread across the NCIA’s main locations of Brussels, Mons, and Braine-L’Alleud Belgium, The Hague, Netherlands and Oeiras, Portugal.

The Chief, Agency Security Officer will be responsible for delivering the following capabilities:

•    Subject Matter Expertise: Facilitate a Security governance structure through the implementation of a hierarchical governance programme. Develop a Security vision and strategy that is aligned to organizational delivery focus (primarily CIS security) and priorities and enables and facilitates the Agency’s business objectives to ensure senior stakeholder buy-in and mandate. Lead the Agency Security Office and the Security function across the Agency to ensure consistent and high-quality Security management in support of the business goals, including the execution of Agency-wide Security Risk Management, with an emphasis on recommended CIS security improvements. Facilitate the detection and investigation of Counter-Intelligence (CI) and Insider Threats, collaborating with Allied Command Counter Intelligence, NATO Office of Security and other relevant NATO CI entities.

•    Leadership\: Support the General Manager and the Chief of Staff with the implementation of the NCIA Strategic Plan and the advancement of the Agency’s strategic outcomes and deliverables. Provide leadership and strategic direction to ensure the efficient and high quality delivery of Security to Agency projects and services, with an emphasis on CIS security. Build a culture of security within the Agency via communication, training and mentoring at the executive, management and operating level within the Agency, with an emphasis on CIS security. Lead by example, providing the management team and staff with clear and actionable Security expertise, direction and advice in support of NCIA strategic and operational initiatives.

•    Management and Coordination: Lead, motivate and contribute to the professional development and performance management of the Agency Security Office to ensure delivery of high-quality work within set deadlines, efficient working methods and a constructive working atmosphere. Ensure optimal utilization of available Security resources to meet the commitments of the NCIA in the conduct of its work. Build and lead a cohesive, multicultural and multidisciplinary Security team, promoting excellence, the highest professional standards and be responsible for contributing to create a work environment where managers support staff in developing their full potential.

For a full list of duties, please review the job description on the NCIA career site. Please note that the internal job title for this role is Agency Security Officer.

Who you are:

The successful candidate will possess the following qualifications and expertise:

•    A Master’s degree at a nationally recognized/certified university in Security / CIS Security Management or a relevant related discipline and 10 years post-related experience. Or a Bachelor’s degree in a Security related discipline with 15 years post related experience;
•    Proven experience in a senior leadership role within a technical or operational learning entity (e.g. college, university, academy, etc.);
•    Significant experience in a senior leadership position, involving leading and managing Security business operations; 
•    Proven experience working as an integral member of and providing Security advice to an executive level management team charged with developing and implementing policies and plans, programs and projects;
•    Proven experience conducting Security relations at a senior level; 
•    Demonstrable experience in managing large, diverse and federated multidisciplinary teams across the CIS Security and broader Protective Security domains;
•    Memberships of professional Security bodies and Security related certifications such as the ASIS Certified Protection Professional (CPP®), ISMI Certified Security Management Professional (CSMP®), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), or other equivalent security professional certifications should be considered advantageous.

What do we offer?

•    Genuinely meaningful work as part of the most successful alliance in history
•    Initial three year contract with a competitive monthly tax-free salary and household and children’s allowances
•    Privileges for expatriate staff including expatriation and education allowances (where appropriate) and additional home leave
•    Excellent private health insurance scheme
•    Generous annual leave of 30 days plus official holidays
•    Retirement Pension Plan

To learn more about our mission and goals at the NCIA, please visit our website.

The NCIA prides itself on being an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment of mutual respect and value uniqueness and differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnic or cultural origin, age, religion, sexual orientation and physical or neurocognitive ability.  

Additional details on the conditions of application can be found via the NCIA career site.