Full Description

NOTE: Please do not resubmit candidates who were found non-compliant in the earlier rounds of this RFQ.

Previously proposed candidates were non-compliant for the following reason

• The profile does not demonstrate clear, independently verifiable experience aligning with the minimum requirement of 3 years in hands-on penetration testing.

Deadline Date: Friday 23 October 2026

Requirement: Penetration Tester

Location: Braine-l'Alleud, BE (Further location of the post will be Brussels following move of NCSC from BLA to Brussels.)

Full Time On-Site: Yes

Time On-Site: 100%

Total Scope of the request (hours): 400

Required Start Date: 23 November 2026

End Contract Date: 31 December 2026

Required Security Clearance: NATO SECRET

Duties & Role

The duties of the individual mainly focus on

• Lead and/or be part of the Red/Blue Team during NATO military exercises;
• Provide Web, infrastructure and application level penetration testing;
• Provide security design reviews to ensure compliance with NATO policies and directives;
• Provide security consultancy and advice to projects, plans, and other entities;
• Build and sustain effective communications with different stakeholders; specifically, the NCIA Configuration Control Board, Security Accreditation Boards, NATO Security Accreditation Authorities, and NCI Agency organization units supporting accreditation processes.
• Brief at both executive and technical levels on security reports and testing outcome, including at flag officer level;
• In co-ordination with the Head of the Penetration testing Cell, ensure proactive collaboration and coordination with internal and external stakeholders.

Skill, Knowledge & Experience

• The candidate must have a currently active NATO SECRET security clearance
• Extensive knowledge and experience (more than 3 years) in web application penetration testing;
• Extensive knowledge and experience (more than 3 years) in IT infrastructure penetration testing;
• Extensive knowledge and experience (more than 3 years) in network security architecture design;
• Extensive knowledge and experience (more than 3 years) in assessing security vulnerabilities within OS, software, protocols & networks;
• Extensive knowledge and experience (more than 3 years) in researching and evaluating security products & technologies;
• Knowledge in system and network administration of UNIX and Windows systems;
• Extensive knowledge and experience (more than 3 years) in the use of penetration testing tools, techniques, and recognized testing methodologies;

Scripting skills in at least one of the following: Perl, Python, Ruby, shell (bash, ksh, csh); Technical knowledge in system and network security, authentication and security protocols, cryptography, application security, as well as, malware infection techniques and protection technologies. Ability to evaluate risks and formulate mitigation plans; Proven ability to write clear and structured technical reports including executive summary, technical findings and remediation plan for several different audiences