Head, Enterprise Portfolio Section

1. SUMMARY

The NATO Chief Information Officer (CIO) function brings Information and Communications Technology (ICT) coherence across NATO Enterprise’s 41 civil and military bodies and more than 25,000 users. The NATO CIO is empowered to realize the Allies’ vision for the NATO Enterprise is accountable to the Secretary General and is responsible for the development of Enterprise directives and advice on the acquisition and use of information technologies and services. The NATO CIO provides Enterprise oversight on cybersecurity issues, and, in close coordination with all relevant NATO civil and military bodies, works towards the continual improvement of the cyber hygiene and cybersecurity posture in the NATO Enterprise.

The Office of the NATO CIO (OCIO) is an integrated staff organization comprised of International Staff (IS) and International Military Staff (IMS) members.

The Enterprise Strategy Branch (ESB) identifies, elicits and harmonizes NATO bodies’ ICT needs into a coherent set of Enterprise’s requirements. It supports the definition, evolution and implementation of a long-term Enterprise strategy for ICT management following NATO nation’s guidance. The branch develops and maintains the implementation strategies to meet these Enterprise requirements while respecting the diverse funding processes and sources supporting the NATO Enterprise. The branch prepares the CIO’s engagement with senior NATO boards and committees, oversees Enterprise architectural developments, monitors ICT services provision performance and maintains oversight of large ongoing projects and programs.

The mission of the Enterprise Portfolio Section (EPS) is to ensure oversight of major ICT programs with Enterprise scope planned, executed and finalized in NATO. The section is responsible for the provision of expert advice to the Enterprise Strategy Branch Head on any issue of technical, financial, procurement or other nature detected and analysed in cooperation with other NATO program management authorities. These functions are implemented in close coordination with several NATO bodies, such as the Consultation, Command and Control Board (C3B, as the champion of the NATO Enterprise), the resourcing community, Allied Command Transformation (ACT), Allied Command Operations (ACO), NATO Communication & Information Agency (NCIA) and other relevant stakeholders across the NATO Enterprise. The work of the Enterprise Portfolio Section requires close coordination with key NATO processes such as NATO Defence Planning Process (NDPP), NATO Security Investment Programme (NSIP) and others as required, in order to support OCIO’s strategic management function.

The incumbent will lead and coordinate the activities of the Enterprise Portfolio Section, supporting the Branch Head in establishing and maintaining an overview of the NATO Enterprise portfolio of programs and projects, which are delivering C3 capabilities and ICT services, regardless of their source of funding. This role will also include supporting the identification, proposal and consolidation of policy changes, in close coordination with other NATO policy-making bodies for CIS.

The incumbent will deputise for the Head, Enterprise Strategy Branch when required.

2. QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

The incumbent must possess:

• a University degree or an equivalent level of qualification in information and communications technology;
• 6 years’ of experience in ICT in all areas of system’s lifecycle, from requirements capture and design, to implementation and operation;
• extensive experience in ICT projects and programmes management, including financial aspects;
• a broad understanding and knowledge of ICT service delivery in a large international environment, of commercial and civilian standards, and of best practices;
• experience in ICT governance, policy making, and standardisation;
• ability to lead a diverse team in a challenging multi-cultural and multi-national environment,
• expert level drafting skills, in particular the ability to present complex ICT issues in simple terms;
• excellent analytical, problem solving, and verbal and written communication skills;
• strong experience in chairing, supporting and interacting with executive/senior-level boards and committees in large organizations;
• ability to prepare and deliver convincing presentations, and to present complex information technology issues to non-technical audiences in order to facilitate consensus building and decision-making; and
• the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other.

DESIRABLE

The following would be considered an advantage:

• Master’s Degree in a discipline relevant for this role;

• a valid project management certification such as PMP or Prince II;
• market leading certification in services management, such as ITIL;
• experience with procuring and managing ICT and cybersecurity services, either in house or in outsourcing;
• deep understanding of current and emerging ICT technologies and how enterprises are employing them to drive digital business;
• experience with cloud computing architectures, and in particular with migrating traditional ICT services to the cloud in security-focused organizations;
• familiarity with the NATO civilian and military structure and be conversant with the challenges, tasks and new missions of the Alliance in the changing strategic and politico-military environment;
• knowledge of NATO responsibilities and organisations, in particular Allied Command transformation (ACT) and Allied Command Operations (ACO);
• experience in multinational programmes and cooperative developments;
• experience with international and/or organisations and a good knowledge of their methods of work and practices;
• experience in the implementation of standards in information services and systems to achieve interoperability; and
• strong passion for information technology with a strong commitment to maintain and improve oversight on technology evolution.

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Project Management

Support the NATO CIO coherence role, through an oversight of all capabilities delivered and services provided within the NATO Enterprise, through various programs and projects (common funded, multi-nationally or nationally funded). Support the definition and enforcing of the section projects plan according to the OCIO role(s) in project management processes used in the NATO Enterprise. Identify main decision-makers and other stakeholders relevant for the project success, participate and contribute to project management boards as required. Maintain full understanding of project and program plans, identify and monitor project implementation risks, provide expertise and leadership in the resolution of exceptions and issues. Establish and maintain a network of relations with key project leaders in the NATO Enterprise, with a specific focus on ICT and Cybersecurity projects.

Policy Development

Contribute to the development of policy, directive and guidance documents in the OCIO areas of responsibility as per her/his area of expertise. D evelop high-level strategic documents and advice to improve enterprise services policy related to key areas of the NATO Enterprise ICT, such as Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, edge computing, mobile devices integration and cybersecurity.

Expertise Development

Conduct analysis and provide advice in the fields of C3 capabilities and ICT services. Provide staff support to NATO committees in these areas. Develop point papers and other deliverables in support of the Branch Head role for Enterprise Strategy making. Support OCIO activities related to Enterprise services in the areas of investment, operations and maintenance, baseline configuration control, change processes and Enterprise-wide Service Level Agreements.

Planning and Execution

Determine input to the Enterprise Strategy Branch work plans and manage the implementation of the section tasks to achieve section objectives.

People Management

Lead, plan, direct and supervise the work of the section personnel. Cultivate a motivating, inclusive and effective workplace. Provide mentoring, coaching and training opportunities and be available to offer guidance at critical moments. Promote transparency in decision-making, equal access to opportunities for all staff and an inclusive management culture. Ensure that all staff under her/his responsibility is clear on organizational, office, branch and section objectives. Provide regular and fair feedback on performance, informally as appropriate, and via the HQ Performance Review and Development (PRD) system. Participate in recruitment procedures for vacant posts in the Organisation, in accordance with NATO recruitment guidelines. Identify possible development and mobility opportunities for individuals.

Stakeholder Management

Engage and coordinate with all relevant NATO Enterprise stakeholders, ensuring a broad collaboration during the development of policies, directives, guidance, implementation plans, standards and best practices. Closely coordinate with NATO staff working on the lifecycle of Enterprise capabilities and services (requirements, investments, operations, maintenance and disposal). Engage with industry and academia in the post’s domain of expertise, as required. Develop close cooperation and working relationships with stakeholders, including the C3B, the Agencies Supervisory Boards, the Military Committee, the Resource Planning and Policy Board, and other relevant senior policy committees and boards, in accordance with the evolution of the OCIO responsibilities and available resources. Represent and speak on behalf of the Branch Head in committees, panels or working groups industry and academia on matters pertaining to the post’s domain of expertise. Act as the focal point on those matters.

Financial Management

Provide inputs to the OCIO budget / Programme of Work and maintain an overview of assigned budgets, and their execution and reporting.

Organisational Efficiencies

Identify, plan and propose implementation of initiatives, aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness across all areas of C3 capabilities, services delivery and operations.

Knowledge Management

Assess the investment programs, which deliver C3 capabilities and ICT services in place, in NATO nations, NATO civil and military bodies, and non-NATO nations / international organizations, in order to provide support and recommendations, becoming a point of reference for the NATO Enterprise portfolio of C3 capabilities and ICT services. Draft background briefs, progress reports, prepare presentations, and other items for high-level meetings.

Information Management

I nitiate, guide and advise on the Information Management procedures for the section, in particular related to the NATO Enterprise portfolio of capabilities and services.

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The incumbent reports to the Branch Head, Enterprise Strategy and deputises for her/him when required. S/He interacts with senior government and military personnel in NATO and partner nations, NATO civil and military bodies, and in non-NATO entities.

S/He will liaise with leadership in relevant international organisations, industry and academia, as required.

Direct reports: 3

Indirect reports: N/A

5. COMPETENCIES

The incumbent must demonstrate:

• Achievement: Creates own measures of excellence and improves performance.
• Analytical Thinking: Sees multiple relationships.
• Clarity and Accuracy: Monitors others’ work for clarity.
• Conceptual Thinking: Applies learned concepts.
• Customer Service Orientation: Makes things better for the customer, addressing underlying customer needs,
• Impact and Influence: Uses indirect influence.
• Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation.
• Teamwork: Solicits inputs and encourages others.