Data Transformation Programme Manager

Spektrum supports apex purchasers (NATO, UN, EU, and National Government and Defence) and their Tier 1 supplier ecosystem with a wide range of specialist services. We provide our clients with professional services, specialised aerospace and defence sales, delivery, and operational subject matter expertise. We are looking for personnel to join our team and support key client projects.

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Who we are supporting 

The NATO Communication and Information Agency (NCIA) is responsible for providing secure and effective communications and information technology (IT) services to NATO's member countries and its partners. The agency was established in 2012 and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

The NCIA provides a wide range of services, including:

• Cyber Security: The NCIA provides advanced cybersecurity solutions to protect NATO's communication networks and information systems against cyber threats.
• Command and Control Systems: The NCIA develops and maintains the systems used by NATO's military commanders to plan and execute operations.
• Satellite Communications: The NCIA provides satellite communications services to enable secure and reliable communications between NATO forces.
• Electronic Warfare: The NCIA provides electronic warfare services to support NATO's mission to detect, deny, and defeat threats to its communication networks.
• Information Management: The NCIA manages NATO's information technology infrastructure, including its databases, applications, and servers.

Overall, the NCIA plays a critical role in ensuring the security and effectiveness of NATO's communication and information technology capabilities.

The program

Assistance and Advisory Service (AAS)

The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) is NATO’s principal C3 capability deliverer and CIS service provider. It provides, maintains and defends the NATO enterprise-wide information technology infrastructure to enable Allies to consult together under Article IV, and, when required, stand together in the face of attack under Article V.

To provide these critical services, in the modern evolving dynamic environment the NCI Agency needs to build and maintain high performance-engaged workforce. The NCI Agency workforce strategically consists of three major categorise's: NATO International Civilians (NIC)'s, Military (Mil), and Interim Workforce Consultants (IWC)'s. The IWCs are a critical part of the overall NCI Agency workforce and make up approximately 15 percent of the total workforce.

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Role ID – CDT-0003

Role Background

The NATO Cyber and Digital Transformation (CDT) Division, led by the Assistant Secretary General (ASG), ensures ICT coherence across NATO’s 50+ civil and military bodies, serving over 25,000 users. Reporting to the Secretary General, the ASG oversees enterprise directives and advises on IT acquisition and services. In 2026, the ASG is prioritizing the transition to a data-driven organization, a strategic initiative to modernize and transform NATO's approach to utilizing data effectively and enabling AI. This shift is crucial for enhancing operational efficiency, ensuring security, and optimizing costs. By harnessing data-driven strategies and adopting data and AI technology, NATO aims to bolster the Alliance's warfighting capabilities, aligning with strategic objectives and technological advancements. Linked to cloud migration, this transition will offer scalable resources, advanced technologies, and improved decision- making capabilities while safeguarding classified information's confidentiality, integrity, and availability. To achieve this, the CDT seeks expert support for managing and coordinating key data initiatives and improve data governance across NATO. The candidate will act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to guide these initiatives, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and timelines. The contractor will facilitate communication between stakeholders and project teams for seamless collaboration. Additionally, the contractor will help organize and manage data workshops with relevant stakeholders to tackle specific data-related issue, bring coherence and improve data governance aspects. He/she will maintain a comprehensive Data Strategy Roadmap, detailing target architectures, ongoing use cases and strategic milestones. Furthermore, the contractor will support the Alliance's Data Sharing Ecosystem (ADSE), addressing not only technical challenges but also those related to processes and people in data exploitation, data management, and data governance. The contractor will follow the NATO Enterprise Data Strategy Action Plan, identifying and implementing mitigation measures to overcome obstacles and providing ongoing support and expertise to resolve emerging issues across these domains.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

The Data Contractor will provide project management, data architecture and analytical support to the Enterprise Architecture team in the CDT Capability Coherence Section to drive the Alliance Data Sharing Ecosystems project.

Task 1: Coordination of Alliance Data-Sharing Initiatives

• You will focus on fostering alignment and collaboration across NATO’s federated data-sharing initiatives and data related projects (e.g. Alliance Data Sharing Ecosystem).
• This includes collaborating with stakeholders from different data domains on the development of a federated data catalogue or marketplace, supporting centralized structures such as reference data systems, and coordinating efforts to ensure consistency across data governance initiatives.

Task 2: Data Governance for NATO

• You will support the implementation and refinement of NATO’s data governance framework, focusing on "people, process, and technology" aspects of federated data-sharing and exploitation capabilities. He/She will develop roadmaps to enhance governance practices, improve data quality, and ensure alignment with NATO's Enterprise Data Strategy.
• You will also play a key role in supporting the establishment and effective functioning of the Chief Data Officer (CDO) role within NATO by helping define its supporting governance structure and responsibilities.

Task 3: Data Advisory

• Providing subject matter expertise in the field of data on data-related projects is a core element of the contractor’s role. They will contribute technical expertise to key initiatives, such as the Alliance Data Sharing Ecosystem, the federated data catalogue, and the development of NATO’s data platform. This entails gathering requirements, documenting insights, and identifying ways to align technical and operational aspects of data governance and implementation with NATO's strategic priorities.
• You will engage with data communities to facilitate adoption of best practices in the field of data, understand and overcome challenges in NATO’s federated environment, and provide advisory support to enhance data discoverability and collaboration. Additionally, he/she will support efforts to adopt innovative capabilities, such as a data mesh architecture, while contributing to the creation of roadmaps for scalable solutions that improve access to NATO’s data assets.

Task 4: Stakeholder Management, Project Management, and Communications

You shall lead the coordination and steering of flagship data initiatives within CDT, ensuring technical and strategic alignment across the NATO Enterprise and Alliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Planning and Execution: Develop and execute project plans that align with agreed upon mandate in the context of cloud adoption. Manage project timelines, budgets and resources.
• Manage Stakeholder Engagements: Coordinate and manage interactions with key stakeholders—including program teams, security accreditation bodies, business owners, and service providers—to guarantee success in cloud adoption endeavours.
• Risk and compliance management: Identify potential risks, develop mitigations, and proactively address challenges in coordination with senior leadership when required.

Essential Skills, Experience and Certifications

• Demonstrated relevant experience (5+ years) in the area of Digital Transformation, specifically in Data Governance, Data Management, Data Engineering and Data Visualization.
• Proven experience in delivering data-related projects delivering clear value in large international organizations, including data platforms.
• Strong communication skills in English with the ability to develop (in written-form) and present complex concepts in a clear and succinct manner.

Desirable Skills, Experience and Certifications

• Experience working in NATO and understanding of relevant NATO policy.
• Experience with market solutions in the domain of data management, data visualization, data catalogs, and data engineering.
• Experience with commercial cloud provider platforms and/or on-premise cloud platforms.
• Proven ability to navigate complex multi-national environments (e.g., NATO/military contexts)
• Understanding of Enterprise Architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF), IT Governance (e.g. COBIT) and service management (ITIL).

Working Location

• Brussels, Belgium

Working Policy

• Hybrid (50% of time on-site, 50% of time off-site)

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance