The NATO Chief Information Officer (CIO) function brings Information and Communications Technology (ICT) coherence across the NATO Enterprise’s 41 civil and military bodies and more than 25,000 users. 

The newly established 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 considering the implications of independent initiatives on the Enterprise.

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

The Strategic Support Branch (SSB) coordinates and collates NATO bodies’ ICT needs into a coherent set of Enterprise’s requirements. 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, and monitors services compliance issues.

As Head of the Strategic Support Branch, s/he is responsible for:

• Supporting the NATO CIO with the establishment of an operating model to enable the coherence and harmonisation of capabilities and services provided across the NATO Enterprise;
• Supporting the NATO CIO in directing and assisting with compliance to NATO Enterprise Communications and Information Vision and associated policy, directives, guidance and standards; and
• Lead, plan, and supervise the work of subordinates in a newly formed team.

Key challenges facing the successful candidate will likely include:

Establishing the CIO function’s strategic oversight role. The Head of SBB will need to work collaboratively across the NATO Enterprise to support the Chief Information Officer in planning and implementing the new function which will be a significant change programme for the organisation. They will need to identify and  develop the right relationships and business processes to have effective oversight of Enterprise-wide ICT needs, services and capabilities for the first time to improve consistency and coherence across the 41 separate NATO and civil military bodies.

Delivering strategy through action.  The Head of SBB will pioneer and lead an approach to developing coherent, strategic-level architectures for Enterprise capabilities and services to support and enable an agile and connected Alliance. They will need to influence and interact with key counterparts to better standardize the approach to architecture across the 41 bodies.  

Profile:

The incumbent must:

• Hold a university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field (technology / ICT) from an institute of recognised standing;
• Have at least 8 years of relevant professional experience, out of which at least 5 within governmental or industry-leading, large, cross-functional teams and/or enterprise-wide programmes, influencing senior-level management and key stakeholders effectively across the organization within complex environments;
• Have solidly demonstrated experience in ICT strategic management;

• Have at least 5 years of senior management experience in leading international multidisciplinary teams;
• Have a capacity for independent conceptual analysis and intellectual leadership on issues affecting the Alliance’s ICT capabilities, services and cyber defence;
• Be able to draft high-level policy documents and background briefs clearly and concisely, prepare and deliver convincing presentations;
• Excellent knowledge of office word processing, spreadsheet and graphics presentations;
• Rossess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; II (“Elementary”) in the other.

The following would be considered an advantage:

• Experience serving in a CIO Office, or similar, within a large and complex private or public organization;
• Be familiar with the NATO civilian and military structure and be conversant with the challenges, tasks and new missions of the Alliance in the changing strategic and politico-military environment;
• Proven experience or demonstrated capability in contributing to ICT transformational initiatives in complex and dynamic environments;
• Deep understanding of current and emerging technologies and how enterprises are employing them to drive digital business;
• A level of the second NATO official language higher than “Elementary” would be considered as an asset.

How to apply:

Selection of candidates for NATO posts is based upon the merit principle and includes different types of assessments, testing and interview. Further information concerning this position, the requirements and details of how to apply can be found on www.nato.int/recruitment

Closing date for applications: 22 September 2020