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Oct 19 2020

Meet Alfred Craib, former Senior Project Manager, Networks Services and IT Infrastructure

Alfred Craib, who retired in the summer of 2020, was one of the most senior project managers at the NCI Agency. Craib was always ready to provide support to colleagues. His character, and his expertise in satellite communications, were fundamental in the development of major documents over the last ten years at the NATO Communications and Information (NCI) Agency.

With Craib's extremely valuable support, the NCI Agency completed a Memorandum of Understanding between France, Italy, United Kingdom and United States for the provision of critical satellite communications services to NATO for the next 15 years.

In addition to this specific work, Craib had also continued to be the Project Manager for many other activities in satellite communications. His dedication helped the team to develop the perfect interface with NATO Nations and the operational community.

The NATO Secretary General awarded Craib with the prestigious NATO Meritorious Service Medal in July 2020 and we took the opportunity to ask him a few questions.

Can you walk us briefly through your career at NATO?

In NATO, I served in both military and civilian capacities. My first NATO position was in 1998 as the Station Commander of one of NATO's Satellite Ground Terminals. In 2000, I took a position in NATO's Maritime Headquarters in Northwood, London, United Kingdom, before moving to the NATO Consultation, Command and Control (C3) Agency in Brussels, Belgium, in 2003. I was mainly involved with satellite communications and deployable Communications and Information Systems (CIS) and I worked closely with Ministries of Defence and industry partners to manage the projects providing military and commercial satellite communications services to the operational community across all theatres of operation.

How has NATO changed over the time that you have worked here, in relation to technology and as a workplace?

The main changes from when I joined the Agency until today are the flexible ways of working and a significantly improved network infrastructure. The COVID-19 pandemic proved that the Agency was able to adapt its working practices rapidly with a secure and highly reliable communications capability, which enabled the majority of staff to access work remotely and continue with business successfully.

What advice would you give to someone who just started at NATO?

Every day brings new challenges. Be adaptable and learn from your colleagues but don't be afraid to bring fresh and innovative ideas to the table. This is a wonderful and rewarding career opportunity with a world-class employer in a truly international environment. Embrace it, respect the different cultures and enjoy it!