Head, Enterprise Portfolio Section

1.      SUMMARY

The NATO Chief Information Officer (CIO) function brings 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 improves the user experience by driving coherent Enterprise requirements, enhancing service performance management, and contributing to strategic Enterprise functions such as Information and Knowledge Management and Data Exploitation. The NATO CIO provides Enterprise oversight on cybersecurity issues, and, in close coordination with all relevant NATO civil and military bodies, works towards the continuous improvement of the cyber hygiene and cybersecurity posture of the NATO Enterprise.

The Office of the NATO CIO (OCIO) is an integrated staff organization comprised of International Staff (IS) and International Military Staff (IMS) members.

The Enterprise Strategy Branch (ESB) 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 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.

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 Digital Policy Committee (DPC), the resourcing community, Allied Command Transformation (ACT), Allied Command Operations (ACO), NATO Communications and 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 the NATO Security Investment Programme (NSIP), to support OCIO’s strategic management function. 

The incumbent leads and coordinates the activities of the Enterprise Portfolio Section, supporting the Branch Head in establishing and maintaining an overview of the NATO Enterprise portfolio of programs and projects, which are delivering Consultation, Command, and Control (C3) capabilities and ICT services, 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 Communications and Information Systems.

The incumbent deputises for the Head, Enterprise Strategy Branch when required.

2.    QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

The incumbent must:

• possess a university degree or an equivalent level of qualification from an institute of recognised standing in information and communications technology;
• have 6 years of experience in ICT in all areas of a service’s lifecycle, from requirements capture and design to implementation and operation;
• have extensive experience in ICT project and programmes management, including financial aspects;
• have a broad understanding and knowledge of ICT service delivery in a large international environment and related best practices;
• have experience in ICT governance and policy making;
• have ability to lead a diverse team in a challenging multi-cultural and multi-national environment;
• have demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills;
• possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, in particular the ability to present complex issues to non-technical audiences to facilitate consensus building and decision-making;
•  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:

• a Master’s Degree in a discipline relevant for this role;
• a valid portfolio or programme management certification;
• a market-leading certification in services management, such as ITIL;
• experience with procuring and managing ICT and cybersecurity services, either in-house or through outsourcing;
• deep understanding of current and emerging ICT technologies and how enterprises are employing them to drive digital business transformation;
• experience with cloud computing architectures, and in particular with migrating traditional ICT services to the cloud in security-focused organizations;
• familiarity with the NATO civilian and military structure and being conversant in the challenges, tasks and new missions of the Alliance in the changing strategic and political-military environment;
• knowledge of NATO responsibilities and organisations, in particular Allied Command Transformation (ACT) and Allied Command Operations (ACO);
• experience in chairing, supporting and interacting with executive/senior-level boards and committees in large organizations;
• experience in multinational programmes and cooperative developments;
• experience in managing or leading teams.

3.    MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Project Management

Support the NATO CIO coherence role, through an oversight of all 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 enforce the section project plan according to the OCIO role(s) in project management processes used in the NATO Enterprise. Identify main decision-makers and other stakeholders relevant to the project’s 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. Establish and maintain a network of relationships with key project leaders in the NATO Enterprise, with a specific focus on ICT and cybersecurity projects.

Policy Development

Contribute to the development of policy, directive and guidance documents in the OCIO areas of responsibility as per their area of expertise. Develop high-level strategic documents and advice to improve Enterprise services policy related to key areas of the NATO Enterprise ICT, such as Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, edge computing, mobile device integration and cybersecurity.

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 development. 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.

Planning and Execution

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

People Management

Lead, plan, direct and supervise the work of the section personnel. Cultivate a motivating, inclusive and effective workplace. Provide mentoring, coaching and training opportunities and be available to offer guidance at critical moments. Promote transparency in decision-making, equal access to opportunities for all staff and an inclusive management culture. Ensure that all staff under their responsibility is clear on organizational, office, branch and section objectives. Provide regular and fair feedback on performance, informally as appropriate, and via the HQ Performance Review and Development (PRD) system. Participate in recruitment procedures for vacant posts in the Organisation in accordance with NATO recruitment guidelines. Identify possible development and mobility opportunities for individuals.

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 NATO staff working on the lifecycle of Enterprise capabilities and services (requirements, investments, operations, maintenance and disposal). Engage with industry and academia in the post’s domain of expertise, as required. Develop close cooperation and working relationships with stakeholders, including the DPC, 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 Branch Head in committees, panels or working groups with industry and academia on matters pertaining to the post’s domain of expertise. Act as the focal point on those matters.

Financial Management

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

Organisational Efficiencies

Identify, plan and propose implementation of initiatives, aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness across all areas of C3 capabilities, services delivery and operations.

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, to provide support and recommendations, becoming a point of reference for the NATO Enterprise portfolio of C3 capabilities and ICT services. Draft background briefs, progress reports, prepare presentations, and other items for high-level meetings.

Information Management

Initiate, guide and advise on the Information Management procedures for the section, in particular related to the NATO Enterprise portfolio of capabilities and services.

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

4.    INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The incumbent reports to the Branch Head, Enterprise Strategy and deputises for them when required. The incumbent interacts with senior government and military personnel in NATO and partner nations, NATO civil and military bodies, and in non-NATO entities. The incumbent also liaises with leadership in relevant international organisations, industry and academia, as required. 

Direct reports: 3

Indirect reports: N/A

5.    COMPETENCIES

The incumbent must demonstrate:

• Achievement: Creates own measures of excellence and improves performance;
• Analytical Thinking: Sees multiple relationships;
• Clarity and Accuracy: Monitors others’ work for clarity;
• Conceptual Thinking: Applies learned concepts;
• Costumer Service Orientation: Makes things better for the customer, addressing underlying customer needs;
• Impact and Influence: Uses indirect influence;
• Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation;
• Teamwork: Solicits inputs and encourages others.