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.

OVERVIEW OF DIANA

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.

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE

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.

The System Administrator is responsible for the day-to-day backend administration, configuring and maintaining the Microsoft 365, Azure, and Entra ID environments, the wider SaaS toolset, device management platforms, and associated security tooling — to keep DIANA’s systems secure, reliable, and well-managed.

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. NOTE: Most of DIANA’s internal work is conducted in the English language.

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, including ERP or SaaS platforms.
• Knowledge of the NATO institutional framework, policies, and procedures.

COMPETENCIES

The incumbent must demonstrate:

• 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.
• NATO pension scheme.
• Generous annual leave of 30 days plus official holidays.
• Flexible working conditions and a smoke-free office in London.
• 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. If the successful applicant is seconded from the national administration of one of NATO’s member States, a 3-year definite duration contract will be offered, which may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years subject to the agreement of the national authority concerned. The maximum period of service in the post as a seconded staff member is six years. NOTE: Irrespective of previous qualifications and experience, candidates for twin-graded posts will be appointed at the lower grade. Advancement to the higher grade is not automatic and will not normally take place during the first three years of service in the post.

USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries. Applications must be submitted using the e-recruitment system, and any documents sent through other formats will not be reviewed (including email, social network, etc). Before you apply to any position, we encourage you to click here and review how to apply. Due to the broad interest in NATO DIANA and the large number of potential candidates, telephone or email enquiries cannot be dealt with.

After review of your online application, successful candidates will be invited to a pre-recorded video interview. Shortlisted candidates from that will then be invited to the final assessments, which include: a language proficiency test, a job-related written test, and a panel interview. Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate) and approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser.

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. NATO is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible working environment, where all candidates living with disabilities can fully participate in the recruitment and selection process. If you require reasonable accommodation, please inform us during your selection process along with documented medical evidence to support your request. All NATO DIANA personnel are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the current NATO Code of Conduct as agreed by the North Atlantic Council (NAC), and thus display the core values of integrity, impartiality, loyalty, accountability, and professionalism.

The incumbent is required to be a resident in the host nation for the duration of their contract. DIANA has a flexible teleworking policy to permit working in office, at home, and across NATO Allied Nations subject to managerial approval. For more information on DIANA, please visit our website.