Officer, Project Portfolio (3 posts)

1. SUMMARY

The NATO Chief Information Officer (CIO) functionbrings Information and Communications Technology (ICT) coherence across NATO Enterprise’s civil and military bodies. 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)has an integrated staff organization comprised of International Staff (IS) and International Military Staff (IMS) members.

The Enterprise Strategy Branch (EStrat)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 business 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, the Allied Command Transformation (ACT), the Allied Command Operations (ACO), the 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 work within the Enterprise Portfolio Section and will monitor a set of C3 capabilities and ICT services, which are either in development or in service within the NATO Enterprise, 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. S/He will prepare advice on topics comprised in its portfolio, enabling the NATO CIO role as a strategic independent advisor.

The incumbent will deputise for the Head, Enterprise Portfolio Section when required.

2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

The incumbent must possess:

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

DESIRABLE

The following are considered an advantage:

• project management certification such as PMP or Prince II, in good standing;
• market leading certification in services management, such as ITIL;
• experience with procuring and managing ICT and cybersecurity services, either in house or in outsourcing;
• experience with cloud computing architectures, and in particular with migrating traditional ICT services to the cloud in security-focused organizations;
• experience in multinational programmes and cooperative developments;
• experience in the implementation of standards in information services and systems to achieve interoperability;
• deep understanding of current and emerging ICT technologies and how enterprises are employing them to drive digital business;
• familiarity with the NATO civilian and military structure, its challenges, tasks and new missions in the changing strategic and politico-military environment;
• experience with international organisations and/or a good knowledge of their methods of work and practices;

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

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 Provide advice to the Section Head on aspects related to the entire lifecycle of capabilities and services from requirements drafting to retirement from service. S/he will carefully monitor the compliance with the strategic documents guiding the implementation of the NATO Enterprise approach. Develop high-level strategic documents and advice to improve enterprise capability delivery and services implementation.

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. Keep abreast with the latest technology developments in his/her area of responsibilities and provide appropriate advice.

Project Management

Support the NATO CIO coherence role, through an oversight of a set of 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.

Stakeholder Management

Establish and maintain a network of relations with key project leaders in the NATO Enterprise, with a specific focus on ICT and Cybersecurity projects. 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).

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 assigned set of NATO Enterprise portfolio of C3 capabilities and ICT services. Draft background briefs, progress reports, prepare presentations, and other items for high-level meetings.

Financial Management

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

Planning and Execution

Determine input to the Enterprise Portfolio Section work plans and manage the implementation of the assigned tasks to achieve section objectives.

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

4.INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The incumbent reports to the Head, Enterprise Portfolio Section and deputises for her/him when required. S/he will work in close cooperation with the OCIO members of staff as well with experts of the various NATO Entities.

Direct reports: N/A

Indirect reports: N/A

5.COMPETENCIES

The incumbent must demonstrate:

• Analytical Thinking: Sees multiple relationships.
• Flexibility: Adapts to unforeseen situations.
• Impact and Influence: Takes multiple actions to persuade.
• Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation.
• Organizational Awareness: Understands organisational climate and culture.
• Teamwork: Cooperates.