Data Architect

Job title:

Data Architect

Company

NATO

Job description

“PENDING BUDGET APPROVAL”1. SUMMARYThe 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.2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCEESSENTIALThe 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 non-technical audiences;
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages
• (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other.

DESIRABLEThe 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.

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES4. INTERRELATIONSHIPSThe 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/aIndirect reports: N/a5. COMPETENCIESThe 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.

6. CONTRACTContract 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.7. USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Expected salary

Location

Brussel

Job date

Sun, 04 Aug 2024 00:40:48 GMT

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