SUMMARY:

The NATO Chief Information Officer (CIO) function brings Information and Communications Technology (ICT) coherence across more than 50 NATO Enterprise’s civil and military bodies and 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 and International Military Staff members.

The Enterprise Strategy Branch 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 nations’ 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. A key objective is NATO Digital Transformation.

The mission of the Enterprise Architecture Section is to ensure coherence, security, interoperability and cost effectiveness of the current and future ICT architecture while planning its long-term evolution to best support NATO Enterprise business requirements and customers. The Section works in close coordination with several NATO bodies, such as the Digital Policy Committee, as the owner and maintainer of NATO Enterprise architecture frameworks and methodologies, exercising a governance role, Allied Command Transformation, NATO Communication and Information Agency and other relevant stakeholders across the NATO Enterprise. It also needs to be aligned with key NATO processes such as NATO Defence Planning Process, NATO Security Investment Programme and others as required, in order to support OCIO’s strategic management function.

The incumbent leads and coordinates the activities related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) Architecture as part of the Enterprise Architecture Section, supporting the Section Head in establishing, maintaining and exploiting an Enterprise Architecture function. This role also includes supporting the identification, proposal and consolidation of policy changes, in close coordination with other NATO policy-making bodies.

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Essential

The incumbent must:

• Have a university degree, preferably in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline in ICT;


• Have a minimum of 3 years' experience in architecture across business, information, application, technology, system or other post related domains.


• Practical experience (participation and/or advice) in projects on design and/or implementation of Communications and Information Services;


• Have proven technical experience in AI/Machine Learning architecture involving discriminative models, generative models, natural language processing, deep learning (e.g. neural networks), computer vision, and multimodal models;


• Have a good understanding of ethical AI use, data privacy, and regulatory compliance requirements relevant to AI implementations, including security aspects;


• Have a proven track record in leading and delivering successful AI projects or products for large-scale enterprises;


• Have knowledge of the major AI trends, solutions and players in industry, as well as cloud computing platforms and infrastructures;


• Possess adequate skills to be able to contribute to a diverse team in a challenging multicultural environment;


• Possess expert level drafting and presentation skills, in particular the ability to present complex ICT topics in simple terms;


• Have excellent analytical and problem-solving 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:

• Experience with Enterprise Architecture functions in international and/or large organizations;


• A proven track record of working within multi-cloud environments;


• Experience with data architectures, data management, data analytics or cloud computing architectures;


• Market leading certifications for Enterprise Architecture, such as TOGAF;


• Relevant IT service management certification such as ITIL or SIAM;


• Relevant project management certification such as PMP or Prince2.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Policy Development

Contribute to the development of policy, directive and guidance documents in the OCIO areas of responsibility. Provide advice to the Section Head on AI architecture matters. Develop strategic documents and advice to improve Enterprise Architecture policy related to other key areas of the NATO Enterprise ICT, such as cloud computing, data analytics, edge computing, mobile devices integration and cybersecurity.

Expertise Development

Support the Section Head in managing the definition, formalization, implementation and monitoring of an ICT management strategy through the definition of AI architecture artefacts. Support the NATO CIO coherence role, through an oversight of the NATO Data Architecture, in close coordination with all relevant NATO civil and military bodies. Provide AI Architecture advice and guidance to NATO Nations, NATO civil and military bodies and partner nations and international organizations. Develop point papers and other deliverables in support of the Section Head role for Enterprise Architecture making. Develop OCIO knowledge and practices in the field of Enterprise Architectures, acting as a key reference for the AI domain in the NATO Enterprise. Keep abreast with the latest technology developments in their area of responsibilities and provide appropriate advice.

Project Management

Lead the development of AI Architecture products and artefacts within the OCIO by following the Office strategic goals and other guidance set by NATO senior governance committees, including the North Atlantic Council, the Military Committee and the Digital Policy Committee. Lead and coordinate internal and external Data Architecture resources, including NATO and industry teams. Support 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 control 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 with key project leaders in the NATO Enterprise, with a specific focus on ICT and Cybersecurity projects.

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 staff working on the AI and data architecture, data management and data exploitation issues across the NATO enterprise. Engage with Industry and Academia in the post’s domain of expertise, as required. Develop close cooperation and working relationships with stakeholders, including the Digital Policy Committee, 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 Section 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.

Knowledge Management

Assess the Data Architecture programs 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 AI architectural approach. Draft background briefs, progress reports, prepare presentations, and other items for high-level meetings.

Planning and Execution

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

Financial Management

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

INTERRELATIONSHIPS:

The incumbent reports to the Head, Enterprise Architecture. They 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.

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.

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.

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 e-mail 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 non-smoking 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.