Systems Administrator in London

The post is budgeted from 1 January 2027, and the successful candidate is expected to start employment as soon as possible thereafter.

NATO DIANA is the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic, a NATO body dedicated to finding and accelerating innovation to provide decisive defence and security effects for the Alliance, while fostering deep-tech innovation. NATO DIANA is comprised of a Board of Directors, representing all 32 nations, and an operational team referred to as the DIANA Executive (“DX”). Operating from three offices in Europe and North America, the DX leverages a network of military end users, world-leading accelerator sites, test centres, professional mentors and experts, and Allied expertise to accelerate the most innovative technologies from across the NATO Alliance. DIANA is a dynamic, agile workplace, which strives for innovative thinking, diversity, and performance excellence across all teams. To achieve our mission, DIANA is committed to providing our people with an environment that is positive, inclusive and collaborative.

The System Administrator is responsible for the administration and maintenance of DIANA's cloud-based digital infrastructure, including Microsoft 365, Azure, Entra ID, and corporate SaaS platforms. The role ensures systems remain secure, reliable, and operational through effective platform administration, access management, automation, patch management, and operational support. Working closely with IT, security, service providers, and end users, the incumbent contributes to the continuous improvement and resilience of DIANA's digital services.

Duties of this role include:

• Administer and maintain DIANA's Microsoft 365, Azure, Entra ID, and SaaS platforms, ensuring secure configuration, user access management, and operational reliability.
• Support the administration of endpoint and device management platforms, ensuring compliance with security standards and lifecycle management processes.
• Maintain patching, vulnerability management, and system security controls to support a secure and resilient technology environment.
• Support identity, access management, and security administration activities using Microsoft security and management tooling.
• Support automation, scripting, and process improvement initiatives to enhance administration, provisioning, monitoring, and reporting.
• Maintain operational documentation, procedures, and user guidance; support IT service management activities and continuous improvement initiatives; and work with suppliers, service providers, and internal stakeholders to support the effective delivery of IT services.
• Support the IT & Security Coordinators and wider IT team in the delivery of user support, service requests, and operational activities as required.
• Perform any other related duties as may be required.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

• The incumbent must have higher vocational training in a relevant discipline with 2 years of post-related experience, or a secondary educational qualification with 4 years of post-related experience.
• Experience supporting the administration of Microsoft 365 and Azure environments within a cloud-based enterprise environment.
• Experience administering SaaS applications and supporting user access, configuration, and platform operations.
• Knowledge of Microsoft cloud administration and security technologies, including Entra ID, Intune, Defender, and endpoint management solutions.
• Experience supporting patch management, device management, system maintenance, and operational security activities.
• Experience with automation and scripting technologies such as Power Automate, PowerShell, or equivalent tools.
• Good communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work effectively with users, suppliers, and service providers.
• Possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; and I (“Beginner”) in the other.

DESIRABLE

• The following would be considered an advantage: Knowledge of API integration, software development, or systems integration concepts.
• Relevant technical certifications in cloud, infrastructure, systems administration, cybersecurity, or related disciplines.
• Experience working in a technology-driven, cloud-native, or innovation-focused environment.
• Knowledge of the NATO institutional framework, policies, and procedures.

COMPETENCIES

• Organizational and Environmental Awareness: Understands the wider mission and considers the impact of their actions on others.
• Initiative & Responsibility: Takes ownership and accountability.
• Adaptability & Flexibility: Embraces change, adjusts priorities as needed, and continues to deliver results in evolving environments.
• Customer Service Orientation: Provides timely, professional, and solution-focused support to all stakeholders.
• Planning & Prioritizing: Allocates time and resources effectively, balances competing priorities, and delivers work to agreed timelines.
• Teamwork: Collaborates openly and supports colleagues to achieve shared goals.
• Self-awareness and a Learning Mindset: Seeks opportunities to learn, reflects on experience, and applies learning to improve outcomes.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Genuinely meaningful work as part of the newest unit within the most successful alliance in history.
• Tax-free salary.
• Household and children’s allowances and privileges for expatriate staff including expatriation and educational allowances (where applicable) and additional home leave.
• Excellent private health insurance scheme.
• Generous annual leave of 30 days plus official holidays.
• Flexible working conditions and a smoke-free office in Halifax.
• Opportunities for learning and development.

CONTRACT

In accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations, the successful candidate will receive a definite duration contract of three years, which may be followed by an extension.

USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries. Due to the broad interest in NATO DIANA and the large number of potential candidates, telephone or email enquiries cannot be dealt with.

NOTE: DIANA 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, Copilot, Claude, etc.), or other language generating tools. DIANA 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 will be rejected without further consideration at DIANA’s sole discretion, and DIANA reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

NATO is committed to diversity and inclusion, and strives to provide equal access to employment, advancement and retention, independent of gender, age, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, cultural background, sexual orientation, and disability.

For further information please see the full job description on our recruitment portal. For more information on DIANA, please visit our website.