Officer, Deployable Communications and Information Systems (DCIS) (Digital Backbone)

1. SUMMARY

The NATO Office of Resources (NOR) provides independent and integrated expert advice to the Secretary General, NATO Resource Committees, Allies, and other stakeholders on the planning, allocation and utilisation of military common funding made available to achieve NATO’s goals and objectives.

The NOR’s advice is based on sound judgement underpinned by facts, figures, expertise and knowledge. It follows NATO policies, procedures and standards, and is independent of external stakeholder’s viewpoints. It supports efficient and effective use of public funds by assessing the policy compliance, eligibility, affordability, technical viability, and lifecycle implications of military requirements and proposed solutions. Furthermore, the NOR facilitates resource-informed political decision-making.

Within the NOR, the Communications and Information Systems (CIS) and Cyber Capabilities Branch provides technical, financial, economic, and political advice and support regarding implementation of NATO common-funded CIS and Cyber capabilities, in particular regarding capital investments under the NATO Security Investment Programme (NSIP) and operations and maintenance funded by the NATO Military Budget.

The CIS and Cyber Capabilities Branch covers various domains of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) including security, cyber-defence and service management and control aspects. The work of the Branch is focused on providing governance expert advice and facilitating the planning, programming and operations and maintenance of modern digital CIS. This includes CIS security and Cyber aspects, as well as on ICT service provisioning in support of the NATO Command Structure in both static and deployed environments including military operations in Article 5 and non-Article 5 situations.

Deployable Communications and Information Systems (DCIS) has been identified as a critical capability whose timely delivery and effective maintenance must be ensured. In line with in-effect policies, DCIS capabilities, an integral and key element of the NATO Digital Backbone, will have to evolve towards a secure, data-centric cloud-based extension of the BI-Strategic Command (Bi-SC) Automated Information System (AIS) within the tenets of the Federated Mission Networking initiative and its policies.

The Officer, Deployable Communications and Information Systems (Digital Backbone - Federated Mission Networking (FMN)) manages, under direction and guidance from the Branch Head, a portfolio of hardware and software packages aimed at improving the Command and Control capabilities of the Alliance. S/he coordinates with other stakeholders, provides guidance to the Capability Management Function, andadvises to the Resources Committees in all aspects related to her/his portfolio.

The Officer works in close coordination with and back up, when required, the Officer, Deployable Communications and Information Systems, to identify and manage interdependencies and commonalities among the major projects and budgets related to DCIS capabilities with the focus on data processing aspects and FMN Spiral standards. S/he also works in close coordination with the Officer, Wireless Communications as well as with other NOR branches. S/he interacts with the Consultation, Command and Control (C3) Board, its structure and supporting Staff, the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), the Strategic Commands, and the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) on a regular basis.

S/he acts asthe focal point within the Branch for the FMN initiative. Finally, s/he is the point of contact within the Branch for NATO Communications and Information Systems (CIS) in support of assigned Alliance Operations and Missions.

2. QUALIFICATIONSANDEXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

The incumbent must:

• posses a Master’s degree from an institute of a recognized standing, in computer science, communication engineering, electronic engineering or closely related science/engineering fields;
• have at least 8 years of experience working in modern deployable (Operational / Tactical) CIS over the entire life cycle;
• have extensive demonstrated experience as system or project manager of modern DCIS systems, be able to apply their knowledge and skills within NATO’s political environment and the military common-funding processes and procedures;
• have excellent communication, drafting and presentation skills;
• possess 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:

• more than eight years of professional experience in the fields relevant for this position;
• good understanding or experience in NATO common funding policies, procedures and processes, or the ones of similar organisations;
• experience in support of military deployments in operational areas;
• further relevant certifications according to the needs of the role (e.g. PRINCE2, ITIL, or equivalent).
  

3.MAINACCOUNTABILITIES

Project Management

Manage at programme level the full life cycle of projects in her/his purview. Coordinate with other Staff Officers in this area holistic management of the Bi-Strategic Command Automated Information System (Bi-SC AIS) focused in the delivery of the related capabilities. Prepare and present reports to the Resource Policy and Planning Board (RPPB) for programming approval of groups of projects needed to achieve an area of military capability. Address investment and operation and maintenance implications, as well as implementation schedules and technical appraisals. Prepare and present programme implementation plans, project implementation reports and capability area status reports to the Investment Committee (IC), the Budget Committee (BC), and other NATO bodies. Prepare and present reports and seek authorisation for project implementation from the IC or the BC. Liaise with the Strategic Commands on the timeliness and quality of project implementation. Provide technical advice and liaise with NATO Military Authorities and host nations for NATO projects.

Expertise Development

Provide expert advice to stakeholders in committees, national delegations and authorities of member nations, NATO agencies, as well as military authorities at various levels on NATO capabilities and related resource issues. Conduct technical meetings with civilian and military staff of member nations considering projects and associated engineering required by the Strategic Commanders. Advise and collaborate with other engineers and programme coordinators engaged in defining cost-effective ways of meeting military requirements. Apply engineering skills, with a good understanding of NATO’s political environment and within the wider context of NATO’s common funded activities. Present, argue and defend the assessment on costing and technical solutions before the NATO resource committees, the NATO Military Authorities and the NATO Agencies.

Policy Development

Contribute to policy development on NATO military common-funded resources through the provision of expert technical advice as required. Determine the impact of existing policies and architectures on the design and implementation of NATO projects. Produce and present screening reports on the submitted military requirement, proposed technical solution, implementation plans and resource estimates, to the NATO resources and other committees.

Stakeholder Management

Develop coordination between all NATO bodies and national authorities leading or supporting the implementation of NATO capability projects. Proactively develop a network of stakeholders to ensure that the resource-impact of decisions is considered as early as possible. Assist, as directed, in the formulation of technical architectures and standards that guide participating nations of the Alliance. Act as Chairperson of Joint Final Inspection and Formal Acceptance (JFAI) teams and prepare reports, which recommend acceptance.

Knowledge Management

Contribute to knowledge management through systems and processes with relevant technical and project/system management expertise on projects funded by NATO. Contribute an expert view on the appropriate technology and systems required to manage project work effectively.

Financial Management

Review costed project proposals and Initial Budget Estimates. Screens the submissions and requests for funds for compliance with NATO policy. Monitor and report on the funding profiles and expenditures profiles of projects/systems or groups of projects/systems at all stages during their life cycle. Liaise with the Strategic Commands for the preparation and screening of initial budget estimates for the operation and maintenance of relevant systems. Prepare and present reports on budgetary issues related to these systems to the BC.

Representation of the Organization

Act as Chairperson of various technical meetings representing the NATO Office of Resources. Represent NATO as a technical expert and advisor during site visits and inspections of project implementation as well as in other circumstances linked to the assessment, design or implementation of NATO funded projects and programmes. Conduct and lead meetings on NATO common-funded projects with authority, involving different stakeholders from NATO member nations, NATO Military Authorities and NATO Agencies, at different work and management levels.

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The incumbent reports to the CIS and Cyber Capabilities Branch Head and must be able to operate with diplomacy and tact in a multinational environment where decision-making occurs by reaching consensuses among the NATO Member Nations. S/he participates in, leads and advises during discussions with national Delegations and Authorities of member countries. S/he also liaises with appropriate NATO Agencies, NATO Military Authorities and national Authorities at Ministries of Defence and other members of the International Staff.

5. COMPETENCIES

The incumbent must demonstrate:

• Achievement: Creates own measures of excellence and improves performance;
• Analytical Thinking: Sees multiple relationships;
• Change Leadership: Expresses vision for change;
• Impact and Influence: Uses indirect influence;
• Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation;
• Organisational Awareness: Understands organisational politics;
• Teamwork: Solicits inputs and encourages others.