Data Scientist

TITLE:  Data Scientist

LOCATION:    Headquarters Allied Joint Force Command Naples; Naples (ITA) 

GRADE:       G-17

BASIC SALARY: Euro 7,055.72

DIVISION:  IEA

DIRECTORATE: Communications

SECURITY CLEARANCE:  NATO S E C R E T

VACANCY N°: OJS UAXX 0020

1. Post Summary

Headquarters Allied Joint Force Command Naples provides a resilient, static Joint headquarters to plan, prepare and conduct operations across all domains from Baseline Activities and Current Operations (BACO), including deterrence, through Crisis, up to the Maximum Level of Effort (MLE), in order to support NATO’s three core tasks, at the Joint Operational level, as directed by SACEUR. Supported by the Single Service Commands, Allied Joint Force Command Naples integrates allocated forces, including NATO Force Structure entities, and synchronises activity to achieve operational objectives. It maintains comprehensive, regional focused, situational awareness, leads contingency planning and directs exercises. It also provides out-of-theatre support to enduring NATO operations and could contribute specific Joint competencies to other NATO Command Structure or NATO Force Structure entities. It is capable of commanding a Joint Task Force operating within or beyond SACEUR’s Area of Responsibility, with theatre enablement provided by a dedicated Joint Logistic Support Group Headquarters. It has the capability to deploy tailored elements to enable reconnaissance, liaison, and coordination, and support the Joint Commander. Synchronizes and integrates Joint and Combined armed forces within the Joint Operational Area (JOA) in support of a Joint Task Force.

The Communication Directorate advises the Commander, and exercises the Commander’s authority to achieve the desired effects of communication and information activities. It is responsible for directing, monitoring, assessing and coordinating communications staff functions.

The Information Environment Assessment Branch provides a clear, holistic, continuous and actionable assessment of the Information Environment (IE) in support of JFCNP, SHAPE and HQ wider IEA community IEA feeds the Comprehensive Understanding of the Operating Environment (COUE) and allows the delivery of Joint Effects. IEA Branch defines and segments potential audiences; analyse effects of own, hostile and earned communications to identify narrative and trends and to contribute to the operational assessment; maintains enhanced situational awareness in IE; supports the monitoring of Indicators and Warnings (I&W) related to the cognitive dimensions. IEA Branches utilize data-monitoring platforms developed under NATO’s ACO-wide Programme and fuse its own analysis with diverse Branches outputs. It supports the analysis of hybrid activity, including Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) to forecast their potential use in future hostile communications. SA and Warning cell is located in J33/JOC and provide in-depth understanding of IE with specific reference to ongoing activities and operation able to identify behavior and narrative drivers and changes.

The Information Environment (IE) is defined as an environment that comprise the Information Itself, the Individuals, organizations and Systems that receive, process and convey the information and the cognitive, virtual and physical space in which this occurs.

Information Environment Assessment (IEA) considers the IE in terms of open sources, public unclassified and classified available information. IEA supports StratCom decision-making and draws together the Info Ops, MilPA and PsyOps functions of media monitoring, web and social media monitoring, information network analysis, communications assessment and evaluation, Target Audience Analysis, hostile communications analysis. It works closely with J2 PMESII IOT deliver the Comprehensive Understanding of the Operational Environment (CUOE) to support the comprehensive planning and the joint targeting process.

2. Principal Duties

The incumbent's duties are:

- Lead the Data-Analysis Function into Communication Division Information Fusion Cell supporting and guiding the analysis process across the AOR.

- Plan, Develop, Deploy, and Review revised and dynamic ways to collect, store and analyze large quantity of data via an effective Information Knowledge Management System aligned with NATO IKM processes.

- Support the development of future Data Analysis Tools for the Information Environment Assessment (IEA) Capability within JFCNP as the COMMS Dir SME.

- Supervises and trains the trainer on existing Data Analysis Tools.

- Train future Data Analysts and current COMMS Dir Staff on existing Data Analysis Tools.

- Implement machine learning and AI tools into the IEA process and products.

- Provides real time data insights and actionable recommendations to allow NATO communicators the ability to capitalize on NATO’s own communications and mitigate the impact of hostile communications in the IE.

- Provide strategic level briefs on designated aspects of the IE when required.

- Supports ACO’s broader Information Environment Assessment capability development by advising on data integration into existing analysis processes.

- Leads in creating and maintaining direction and guidance in relation to document life cycle (development, approval, storage and consult)

- Coordinates and leads the work of the archive team and the administrative function.

- Undertakes additional duties and assume other responsibilities as directed by the Chain Of Command.

3. Special Requirements and Additional Duties

The employee may be required to perform a similar range of duties elsewhere within the organisation at the same grade without there being any change to the contract

- In absence of the Coord Officer, Act as the IEA branch Coordination Officer, including all associated tasks, such as:

- Coordinates staff work within the IE Branch in support of the BH;

- Analyses, communicates and manages the IEA BH tasks to the subordinated sections;

- Manages actions on all correspondence/staff papers requiring the IEA attention;

- Supervises administrative, travel and protocol arrangements for the IEA;

- Prepares IEA BH for attendance and briefings at various general NATO and national conferences;

- Manager of the tracking system (Tasker Tracker);

- Acts as the security officer for the whole IEA area, as supervisor of the security officers of the subordinated Cells.

The work is normally performed in a Normal NATO office working environment.

Normal Working Conditions apply.

The risk of injury is categorised as No risk / risk might increase when deployed.

4. Essential Qualifications

a. Education

University Degree in Information Technology, Economics, Statistics, Operations Research or related discipline with, as a minimum, 4 years post related experience, or Higher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training  in that discipline leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation, with 5 years post related and 2 years function related experience.

b. Professional Experience

- Experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection, processing and analysis for assessing the media environment including social media. (This includes visualization, Boolean querying, data cleaning and a comprehensive knowledge of audience research, social media metrics and measurement of performance).

- Experience using social media analysis tools to generate actionable insights, including query scripting in unfamiliar languages;

- Experience collecting and analyzing polling and other statistical data for strategic insights on population perceptions/sentiment;

- Experience with relevant AI tools and their limitations, and uses in media analytics;

- Demonstrable knowledge of information confrontation and disinformation, as well as knowledge of common communications strategies of relevant nations;

- Proven understanding of NATO communications objectives and themes;

- Proven understanding of data privacy restrictions from all major social media companies and their impact on media monitoring;

- Proficient experience with Microsoft Office applications and comprehensive knowledge of a data science programming language – preferably SQL and/or Python;

- Proven ability to present information in a clear and logical manner both in writing and by other means with extreme accuracy and attention to detail;

- Knowledge of NATO Responsibilities and Organization

c. Language

English - SLP 3333 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

5. Desirable Qualifications

a. Education/Training

Pre University Degree in a Social Sciences, Analytics or Humanities related discipline and 2 years post related experience.

b. Professional Experience

- Experience in briefing and communicating analytical products with senior military and civilian staff.

-  Participation in previous NATO training and exercises;

- Prior experience of working in NATO or in an international environment comprising military and civilian elements.

NATO Courses:

1.  NATO Comprehensive Operations Planning Course (COPC) (JPL-OP-36813) provided by French Institute for Strategic and Operational Education (IFESO)

2.  NATO Information Environment Assessment Foundation course (STC-ST-26884) provided by Strategic Communications COE (STRATCOM COE)

3.  NATO Strategic Communication Foundation Course (STC-ST-26898) provided by French Institute for Strategic and Operational Education (IFESO)

4. NATO Information Knowledge Management (IKM) Course (CCC-IM-2678) provided by NATO - School Oberammergau (NSO)

6. Attributes/Competencies

• Personal Attributes: Post requires regular professional contacts within and outside the HQ. The incumbent solicits and provides information as well as advice. The job involves working with contacts within NCS and NFS Commands, and requires high level of maturity, understanding of sensitivities within an international environment and diplomatic tact when dealing with others. Professional contacts with others inside and/or outside immediate organization and at higher level to include the Chief of Staff and other Flag officers providing advice and recommendations, other than normal professional courtesies or information gathering.

• Professional Contacts: Influences organisation, suppliers, partners and peers on the contribution to data set. Builds appropriate and effective relationships.

• Contribution To Objectives: The post provides information, assurance and analysis and contributes directly to the planning, initiations and development of wide range of products submitted by HQ. Provide Direct feed into both the delivery and assessment of all StratCom messaging Objectives.

There are no reporting responsibilities.  This post reports to:  OJS UAXX 0010 - Branch Head (Information Environment Assessment) - A4/G20.  This post does not deputises anybody. This post is not deputised by anybody.

  5.  CONTRACT 

The successful candidate will receive a three-year definite duration contract which may be followed by an indefinite contract. NATO International Civilians will be offered a contract in accordance with the provision of the NCPRs.

The basic entry-level monthly salary for a NATO Grade 17 (A-3) in Italy is Euro 7,055.72 which may be augmented by allowances based on the selected staff member’s eligibility, and which is subject to the withholding of approximately 20% for pension and medical insurance contributions. 

 6.  INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLY:

JFC Naples uses NATO Talent Acquisition Platform. In order to apply for this vacancy, please visit the platform at: https://nato.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en , and search for vacancies within HQ JFC Naples with duty location Naples, Italy.

Please attach relevant certificates to the application.

Note that once you create your profile, you will be able to use it to apply for other vacancies within NATO.

 Please note: Staff members are appointed to and hold posts on the establishment of a NATO body only on condition that:

- They are nationals of a NATO member country

- They are over 21 and under 60 years of age at the time of taking up their appointments.  Appointments of definite duration may be offered to candidates of 60 years of age or more, provided that the expiry date of the contract is not later than the date at which the candidate attains the age of 65. 

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

A NATO security clearance and approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser are essential conditions for appointment to this post.  Applicants are not required to possess a clearance at the time of applying, but they must be eligible for a clearance.  HQ JFC Naples will take action to obtain the required security clearance from the successful candidates’ national authorities. The selected candidate will be affiliated to the NATO Defined Contribution Pension Scheme (DCPS). For info please visit https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/86790.htm