NATO DIGITAL BACKBONE SYSTEMS ANALYST (COMMAND NETWORK SYSTEMS ANALYST)

DESCRIPTION

The NATO Digital Backbone (NDBB) is a critical asset for the overall NATO Digital Transformation and is a prerequisite for the execution of Multi-Domain Operations.

The NDBB is a strategic and operational level command network connecting the NATO Command Structure and NATO Force Structure as well as non-military actors to provide synchronization.

The NATO Command Network Project was part of the Cross-Domain Command WDI and started in 2022 and with an aim to implement it by 2035. The NATO Command Information Systems Initiative has transitioned into supporting the development of the NATO Digital Backbone.

The Digital Backbone is a strategic deliverable under the Digital Transformation Implementation Strategy. The definition of the Digital Backbone is to connect sensor, decision makers and effectors. The digital backbone is architecturally referenced in the NDBB and Data Centric Reference Architecture (RA). The NDBB is described as the layer underpinning the data management and data exploitation mechanisms. The collection of the capabilities and services to realize the Digital Backbone are independent useful systems that till now have been treated as distinct entities providing unique set of outcomes and operational benefits. The intent of the NDBB initiative is to create a whole that is greater than the sum of the individual capabilities/services. The approach to address the creation of a NATO Digital Backbone will require planning, analyze organizing, and integrating the existing and new system changes into a system of system capability that generates outcomes and operational benefits greater than the sum of individual parts. NATO Digital Transformation is an endeavour to transform the Alliance towards a secure data-enabled organisation. It addresses the operational needs to securely move data vertically from the strategic to the tactical level, and horizontally across the Land, Maritime, Air, Cyber and Space domains.

The work will include the management, revision and execution of the NATO Digital Backbone Capability Programming Strategy. The CPS will also include the need to include interoperability, emerging and disruptive technology, non-material (e.g. facilities) and other capability development aspects. New operational requirements will also need to be incorporated into the CPS planning. The contractor will support the completion of all these activities.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:

Essential Qualifications/Experience:

·         Demonstrable experience (4 years or more) in CIS capability integration, systems engineering, Project Management, CIS requirements or equivalent

·         University degree level education (bachelor and/or master) in a relevant field (Computer Science, Engineering, Information Sciences and Technology, Mathematics, Business Management etc.)

·         Demonstrated Ability to participate effectively in high-level discussions, workshops, etc. and prepare professional, high-quality documents and briefings for review

·         Knowledge and experience (3 years) of project management techniques

·         Demonstrable experience (3 years or more) in conducting studies and providing coherent papers explaining study results and recommendations

·         Knowledge of NATO, its organizational structure. Previous experience working in

ü  defence environment or technical development organizations

·         Familiarity and knowledge of the specific area of communications-information systems such as data centres, cloud computing, communications, and application services

DUTIES/ROLE: 

·         Contract personnel shall provide products and support services to the CIS Branch in support of the main NATO Command Information Systems Initiative (NDBB) activity to provide enterprise architecture support for the following tasks:

·         Conduct activities through direction from the CIS Branch lead for the NATO Command Information Systems Initiative (NDBB)

·         Plan and facilitate the conduct of NATO Command Information Systems Initiative (NDBB) workshop with stakeholders in NATO HQ, ACO, NCI Agency and others in Europe with the purpose of implementing a cohesive NATO Digital Backbone aligned to operational requirements statements. Provide briefings, engage in discussions, and facilitate working sessions

·         Development and incorporation of coherent capability requirements across all NDBB related efforts through work with the Planning, Requirements and Execution Division Branches

·         Facilitate/support ACO in the development of high-level requirements (e.g. operational requirements) for the NDBB that support multi-domain operations using work from Conceptual, operational requirements, architectural, and high-level guidance. Must be able to communicate the overall intent of the NDBB to guide the further development of new operational requirements

·         Support ACT’s contributions to standing network initiatives that may result in updates to existing NDBB programming and CPS, the execution of an implementation plan, or the development of ACT management products (e.g. capability programme plan) associated with the NDBB

·         Consult with Enterprise Architecture, conceptual working groups, FMN gap analysis, programme directors, project managers within ACT and in other organizations Germane to the NATO Command Information Systems Initiative (NDBB) to accomplish the aforementioned tasks

·         Consult as appropriate with project/programme managers, operational users, business architects, system engineers, and other key stakeholders, within NATO Commands and Agencies to obtain the information necessary for analysis, to develop the outcomes needed to support the Digital Transformation through NDBB

·         Support the updating of ACT programme management dashboards and SharePoint sites consistent with HQ SACT guidance. This includes updating programme plans, risk registers, and documentation repositories

·         Develop presentations and information papers in order to provide updates on the NATO Command Information Systems Initiative (NDBB) to stakeholder groups and for use by COTR for further dissemination to leadership

·         Participates in planning, executing and reporting on NDBB related exercises and experimentation

·         Other duties as assigned by the COTR are NCISI/NDBB related