Expert on Defensive Cyberspace Operations Management DSO (Deadline 19.11.2026)

McBride International; Henegouwen; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

McBride International is seeking an Expert on Defensive Cyberspace Operations Management (DSO) to coordinate across NATO CyOC, JISD, NCIA and CDT, managing the full lifecycle of DCO activities from planning to follow-up within a multinational, defence-focused setting.

You will plan, execute, assess and report on DCO operations, work with NATO SMEs, draft technical and non-technical reports, deliver briefings to diverse audiences, and support risk management and incident response efforts.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in defensive cyberspace operations in military or defence contexts.
• 3+ years project management experience across federated organizations.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Excellent English writing and briefing ability.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity policy and procedures in defence settings.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and oversee DCO activities with NATO CyOC, JISD, NCIA and CDT.
• Draft clear technical and non-technical reports.
• Develop DCO plans and supporting processes.
• Coordinate with NATO SMEs to create red/blue pictures for DCO planning.
• Deliver presentations to diverse audiences to enable decision-making.
• Support DPCC meetings and CDT initiatives during the DCO lifecycle.

Skills

DCO planning

Project management

Incident management

Threat hunting

Adversary emulation

Technical reporting

English writing

Job description

Expert on Defensive Cyberspace Operations Management DSO (Deadline 19.11.2026)

McBride International is a European-based management consulting, IT, and Command, Control, Communication, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) firm. We provide professional services focusing on strategy development and execution, IT transformation, business process improvement, program management, research and development, risk management, financial management, and training. Our dedicated team of project managers, consultants, and trainers play a critical role in supporting client engagements from inception to completion. We partner with clients by providing qualified and experienced resources that possess the relevant skills, knowledge, and expertise needed to develop and execute solutions in support of their mission and business goals.

Job Description

The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring appropriate coordination amongst the DPCC members (i.e. NATO Cyberspace Operations Centre (CyOC), Joint Intelligence and Security Division (JISD), NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) and CDT). S/He will also be responsible for managing the complete lifecycle of DCOs led by the CDT, including the planning, conduct, assessment, and follow-up phases.

The incumbent must demonstrate in-depth knowledge of advanced technical operations in defence of communication and information systems, but also good knowledge in cyber incident management and cyber risk management best practices and processes.

TASKS

• o Plan, coordinate and oversee advanced technical DCO, incorporating activities such threat hunting activities, adversary emulation and deception technologies;
• o Draft clear and concise technical and non-technical reports;
• o Working with NATO SMEs, develop relevant red and blue pictures in support of developing DCO plans;
• o Develop DCO plans, supporting processes and procedures;
• o Develop effective and actionable remediation plans based on lessons identified captured through DCO execution;
• o Prepare and deliver presentations to technical and non-technical audiences, in order to facilitate consensus building and decision-making;
• o Coordinate the work of the DPCC, ensuring appropriate communication and cooperation amongst the relevant NATO Enterprise stakeholders;
• o Support the DPCC meetings, in working level and principals level format, facilitating discussions, leading CDT initiatives and providing advice during the DCO lifecycle;
• o Liaise with CyOC, NCIA and other stakeholders for the planning and coordination of any cyberspace activities in the context of DCOs;
• o Support the NATO Enterprise Incident Manager in the coordination and assessment of cybersecurity incident response activities in relation to ongoing DCOs;
• o Support the risk management and decision making processes, coordinating with the NATO Cyber Risk Management Group (CRMG) and the NATO Board of CISOA (BCISOA).

Requirements

The contractor must have more than 2 years of direct experience in defensive cyberspace operations focusing on the planning and conducting operations in military focused environments encompassing activities such as advanced technical operations, incident

response, threat hunting, adversary emulation, etc.

The contractor must have a minimum of 3 years proven project management experience working with different organizations within a federated environment in the coordination of planning, execution and technical remediation activities;

The contractor must have excellent communication and negotiation skills;

The contractor must have excellent English writing skills, the ability to draft clear and concise reports, and the ability to brief on their work in English;

The contractor must have good knowledge of the principles, policy and procedures governing cybersecurity, preferably in military and/or defence organizations;

Previous NATO experience in one or more of the fields of cybersecurity, cyber defence, cyberspace operations, cyber risk management or cyber incident management is desirable;

Cyber security certifications such as CISM, CISSP or equivalent post-graduate degree in cybersecurity is desirable;