SUMMARY:

The Defence Investment (DI) Division is responsible for facilitating the development and adoption of cutting-edge, innovative and interoperable capabilities, critical to ensuring the Alliance’s ability to undertake the full spectrum of missions and operations. Key lines of effort include:

• Leading the development of major complex capability programmes in the land, maritime, air and space domains - including Command and Control (C2), Joint Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (JISR) and other critical Consultation, and Command & Control (C2) capabilities – and in doing so addressing all policy, political-military, technical and practical aspects;


• Pursuing interoperability through prioritised standardisation efforts, developing with Allies new approaches to operational challenges, supported by a commitment to operational experimentation and innovation;


• Maintaining the Alliance’s technological edge through exploring and driving adoption of emerging and disruptive technologies, with a particular focus on autonomous systems;


• Facilitating multinational cooperation in capability development through a series of specific initiatives tackling critical capability requirements;


• Understanding, adapting to, and pro-actively addressing climate change;


• Informing and responding to the Alliance’s evolving capability needs through the NATO Defence Planning;


• Providing oversight to NATO Agencies involved in capability development and delivery (in particular NATO Communication and Information Agency and NATO Support and Procurement Agency);


• Working with a range of key stakeholders within NATO including the Strategic Commands and externally with NATO Partners and relevant international and regional organisations including the EU, as well as with industry and academia.

The NATO Digital Staff (NDS) is an integrated staff composed of members of the International Military Staff (IMS) and International Staff (IS) at the heart of NATO’s Digital Transformation. The staff maintains digital subject matter expertise for providing the highest quality advice, policy and leadership to ensure the Alliance’s technological edge, enable data-driven decision-making and release the potential of multi-domain operations. The NDS is responsible for the establishment, maintenance and evolution of NATO as a digital, data-driven decision-making organisation where the power and potential of interoperable digital technologies and data-centricity are fully exploited for the benefit of the Alliance. Led by the Director NDS, the Staff supports different NATO senior policy committees and in particular, the Military Committee (MC), the Digital Policy Committee (DPC) and the Cyber Defence Committee (CDC). It functionally operates under the co-ordinated executive management authority of the Director General of the IMS and the Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment.

Digital Standardization & Interoperability (DSI) Branch leads the procedural, data and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) standardization and terminology activities related to digital interoperability of the MC and the DPC; it also provides the central liaison function between the NDS and NATO Standardization Office. The branch assists allocated Capability Panels and Capability Teams by providing staff support and subject matter expertise, and ensures the maintenance of the Alliance Digital Interoperability Architecture to enable the delivery of coherent and interoperable digital capabilities for the Alliance.

The incumbent will play a pivotal role in shaping the data landscape of the Alliance. This multifaceted role involves setting the overall architectural direction to transform the Alliance into a data-centric organization, maintaining comprehensive data strategies, and ensuring adherence to key data related policies.

While implementing the Data Strategy for the Alliance, the Data Architect will support the NATO Information Management Authority in designing and implementing data governance frameworks for ensuring policy compliance and data-centric security. The incumbent will lead the development and maintenance of reference architectures, directives, interoperability standards, and other necessary products for enhancing automated data exchange between Allies, and harmonize NATO Data Standards among different Tasking Authorities. Additionally, the incumbent will support policy and standardization change proposals, contribute to the NATO Core Ontology, maintain a Technology Watch to stay updated on advancements in Data Management and integrate technologies like AI and ML into the data management life-cycle.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Essential

The incumbent must:

• Possess a Masters’ degree or higher academic qualification in computer science, software engineering, Mathematics, data science, Information Technology, or systems engineering, from a University or institute of recognised standing or equivalent qualification;


• Possess a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in data architecture, data strategy, data management or a closely related field;


• Have a strong background in data management, architecture, and policy formulation, with a keen understanding of how these elements integrate to drive organizational success;


• Demonstrate the ability to identify emerging trends and integrate innovative data solutions into organizational practices;


• Have strong leadership and mentoring skills with demonstrated experience in coordinating teams and/or chairing committees/working groups;


• Have demonstrated experience in analysing complex issues, developing innovative concepts and enterprise architectures, advising senior management and presenting results to nontechnical audiences;


• 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:

• Demonstrated experience in solving data interoperability problems and familiarity with Data standardisation;


• Certification in relevant areas (e.g., DAMA/CDMP, The Open Group/TOGAF & ArchiMate);


• Proficiency in managing cloud-based data platforms (e.g. AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and understand of Zero Trust environments;


• Familiarity with data governance frameworks and regulatory compliance requirements (e.g. GDPR, CCPA);


• Experience in drafting technical documents and strategic plans quickly, clearly, and concisely.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Expertise Development

Recommend improvements in data related policies, including data and AI/ML strategy, standardization, and terminology definitions. Assess the financial soundness of cost estimates and business cases for data related capabilities and spearhead initiatives to enhance the understanding and implementation of data governance and management standards. Stay current with technology developments, they will provide appropriate advice and guidance in their area of responsibility and also provide expert advice to decision-makers. Offer Data Architecture advice to NATO Nations, NATO civil and military bodies, and partner organizations, develop point papers and other deliverables, and act as a key reference within the Alliance.

Knowledge Management

Manage the content of relevant information and architecture repositories to ensure that the corporate expert domain knowledge required to support Data Governance capabilities, standards and policies is retained through appropriate information management and training.

Information Management

Set the architectural direction to transform the NDS into a data-centric entity. Lead the coordination of data-related activities within the organization, including collaboration with the Information and Knowledge Management Team of the NDS. Provide training and support to staff on data governance and best practices, promote a culture of data-driven decision-making, and ensure compliance with data policies and regulations. Analyse and assess the impact of ongoing and completed projects, introducing innovations to optimize workflows and performance. Establish and maintain documentation and reporting mechanisms to monitor internal data management activities and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Policy Development

Lead the development, maintenance, and implementation of key data policies in particular the NATO Information Management Policy, Data Exploitation Framework Policy, Data Management Policy and C3 Interoperability Policy, ensuring they are current, comprehensive, and aligned with organizational goals and regulatory requirements. Collaborate with stakeholders to gather input and ensure broad support, facilitating communication and coordination among various departments. Design mechanisms for policy compliance, conduct audits, and develop data governance frameworks and standards. Serve as a senior advisor to provide expert guidance, support policy changes, and ensure alignment with strategic objectives. Stay informed about regulatory requirements, deliver training programs to promote policy awareness, maintain comprehensive documentation, and foster a culture of continuous improvement in data policy development and implementation.

Project Management

Oversee the management of committees and groups supporting the development of communications capabilities and standards, coordinating related activities within the NATO Headquarters, and managing any supporting contracted work. Provide program management functions and participate in Integrated Project Teams to achieve NDS and DSI targets. Serve as a senior advisor on datarelated issues, guide stakeholders in adopting data-centric approaches and lead the design and implementation of programmatic objectives aligned with strategic goals. Proactively manage project challenges and resource allocation, ensuring successful execution of data architecture projects and programs. Lead the development of Data Architecture products and artefacts, coordinate internal and external resources, and identify key decision-makers and stakeholders crucial for project success. Participate in project management boards, maintain control of project plans, identify and monitor risks, resolve issues, and establish a network of key data experts within the Alliance.

Representation of the Organization

Represent the interests of NDS and NIMA when interacting with external bodies. Represent NDS in various forums, delivering presentations and providing briefings on data related topics. Prepare briefing materials, speeches, and articles, and participate in and where necessary, lead meetings, seminars, and workshops.

Stakeholder Management

Determine how best to enhance and develop a network of key stakeholders in data management, including the NIMA and wider data management communities both within and outside NATO. Coordinate and lead efforts across the Alliance, ensuring cohesive and strategic efforts in data management, including coordination with other International Organisations and industrial and standardisation bodies. Assess, manage and consolidate the network within the broader interests of
the NDS. Perform any other related duty as assigned.

INTERRELATIONSHIPS:

The incumbent reports to the Head of DSI. They liaise with, and provide technical support and expertise, as directed, to NIMA, NATO Nations and NATO Enterprise entities in their work, in areas related to data architecting and management. They also liaise with other International Organisations dealing with data architecture and data governance.

• Direct reports: N/a;


• Indirect reports: N/a.

COMPETENCIES:

The incumbent must demonstrate:

• Analytical Thinking: Makes complex plans or analyses;


• Clarity and Accuracy: Checks own work;


• Conceptual Thinking: Applies learned concepts;


• Customer Service Orientation: Takes personal responsibility for correcting problems;


• Impact and Influence: Takes multiple actions to persuade;


• Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation;


• Organisational Awareness: Understands organisational climate and culture;


• Teamwork: Solicits inputs and encourages others.

CONTRACT:

Contract to be offered to the successful applicant (if non-seconded): Definite duration contract of three years; possibility of renewal for up to three years, during which the incumbent may apply for conversion to an indefinite duration contract.

Contract clause applicable

In accordance with the contract policy, this is a post in which turnover is desirable for political reasons in order to be able to accommodate the Organisation's need to carry out its tasks as mandated by the Nations in a changing environment, for example by maintaining the flexibility necessary to shape the Organisation's skills profile, and to ensure appropriate international diversity.

The maximum period of service foreseen in this post is 6 years. The successful applicant will be offered a 3-year definite duration contract, which may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years. However, according to the procedure described in the contract policy the incumbent may apply for conversion to an indefinite contract during the period of renewal and no later than one year before the end of contract.

If the successful applicant is seconded from the national administration of one of NATO’s member States, a 3-year definite duration contract will be offered, which may be renewed for a further period of up to 3 years subject also to the agreement of the national authority concerned. The maximum period of service in the post as a seconded staff member is six years.

Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Régulations.

Note: Irrespective of previous qualifications and experience, candidates for twin-graded posts will be appointed at the lower grade. Advancement to the higher grade is not automatic, and will not normally take place during the first three years of service in the post.

Under specific circumstances, serving staff members may be appointed directly to the higher grade, and a period of three years might be reduced by up to twenty four months for external candidates. These circumstances are described in the IS directive on twin-graded posts.

USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS:

Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries. Applications must be submitted using e-recruitment system, as applicable:

• For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal (link);


• For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment

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More information about the recruitment process and conditions of employment, can be found at our website.

Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate), approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser, verification of your study(ies) and work experience, and the successful completion of the accreditation and notification process by the relevant authorities.

NATO will not accept any phase of the recruitment and selection prepared, in whole or in part, by means of generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots, such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (Chat GPT), or other language generating tools. NATO reserves the right to screen applications to identify the use of such tools. All applications prepared, in whole or in part, by means of such generative or creative AI applications may be rejected without further consideration at NATO’s sole discretion, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

NATO is committed to diversity and inclusion, and strives to provide equal access to employment, advancement and retention, independent of gender, age, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, cultural background, sexual orientation, and disability. NATO welcomes applications of nationals from all member Nations, and strongly encourages women to apply.

Building Integrity is a key element of NATO’s core tasks. As an employer, NATO values commitment to the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability in accordance with international norms and practices established for the defence and related security sector. Selected candidates are expected to be role models of integrity, and to promote good governance through ongoing efforts in their work.

Due to the broad interest in NATO and the large number of potential candidates, telephone or email enquiries cannot be dealt with.

Applicants who are not successful in this competition may be offered an appointment to another post of a similar nature, albeit at the same or a lower grade, provided they meet the necessary requirements.

The nature of this position may require the staff member at times to be called upon to travel for work and/or to work outside normal office hours.

The organization offers several work-life policies including Teleworking and Flexible Working arrangements (Flexitime) subject to business requirements.

Please note that the International Staff at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium is a nonsmoking environment.

For information about the NATO Single Salary Scale (Grading, Allowances, etc.) please visit our website. Detailed data is available under the Salary and Benefits tab