Senior IT Project Manager

Title: Senior IT Project Manager Location: Braine l’Alleud, Belgium

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.

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.

Role ID – C004475

Role Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Principal Project Manager (Lead PM), the incumbent will perform duties such as the following:

• The planning, implementation and management of assigned projects in accordance with the appropriate NATO regulations and NCI Agency project management policies and procedures;

• Development of business case (including procurement strategy, benefit and risk analyses, project proposal and/or statement of works) to secure sponsor acceptance and funding;

• Execute the necessary Management, Coordination and Quality Assurance functions essential to the successful delivery of capability and services;

• Take responsibility for understanding client requirements, collecting data, delivering analysis and problem resolution;

• Deliver projects within defined Scope, Time, Cost and Quality tolerances and report on progress regularly and ad-hoc as required;

• The identification, planning and allocation of resources to meet project milestones and/or initiate corrective actions when necessary;

• Manage the projects Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and report any recognized anomalies and initiate corrective actions;

• Manage Risks and Issues proactively, keep the Risks-/Issues-
  log up-to-date and report any deviations directly with applicable
  courses of actions;

• Manage proactively the cash flow of projects and contribute to financial planning and reporting;

• Support the annual and multi-year Business Planning and
  forecasting by accurate planning and forecasting of own projects;

• Supervise (directly or part of a Matrix environment) teams and individuals (project team members);

• Lead meetings and conferences with team members, internal/external stakeholders and customers;

• Ensure that realistic project plans are maintained and ensure regular and accurate communication to stakeholders;

• Ensure project artefacts are of highest quality, accurate and up-to-date by reviewing and maintaining them regularly;

• Participate in other project management related activities;

• Undertake relevant technical support and maintenance activities to keep project and risk plans and/or any other relevant information up-to-date in the Enterprise Business Applications;

• Deputize for higher grade staff (Principal Project Manager);

• Performs other duties as may be required.

Essential Skills, Experience and Certifications

• A minimum requirement of a Bachelor's degree at a nationall  recognised/certified University in a related discipline and 3 years post-related experience.

• Or, exceptionally, the lack of a university degree may be compensated by the demonstration of a candidate's particular abilities or experience that is/are of interest to NCI Agency, that is, at least 10 years extensive and progressive expertise in duties related to the function of the post.

• A recognised formal Project Management qualification, such as PRINCE 2 Practitioner / Project Management Professional (PMP). The lack of formal qualifications can be compensated by the demonstration of expertise and experience in the domain; 

• Recent extensive Project Management experience (at least three years) in a large scale IT organization;

• Experience in planning, design, system engineering and implementation of communication aspects of Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems;

• Knowledge and experience in state-of-the-art technologies, relevant to the work, i.e. Deployable Communication and Information Systems (CIS) network design, switched multimedia networks, and familiarity with related international / commercial / industrial standards;

• Proven ability to communicate effectively orally, using tact and diplomacy, and in writing with good briefing skills.

• Proven success as a project team manager/leader in Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) acquisition projects;

• ITIL Foundation Level Certification;

• Engineering background and technical leadership experience;

• Project Management automation (ServiceNow (SNOW)) and work collaboration tools experience;

• Knowledge of NATO or national governmental acquisition policy and procurement procedures;

• Prior experience of working in an international environment comprising both military and civilian elements;

• Knowledge of NATO responsibilities and organization, including ACO and ACT.

Working Location

• Braine-l'Alleud, BE

Working Policy

•  100% On-site

Travel

• Possible TDY travel once or twice per month to other NCIA sites
  within Belgium

• Travel to other NATO sites may be required.

Security Clearance

• Valid NATO SECRET personnel security clearance (or national SECRET clearance recognised for NATO SECRET)