Chief Information Officer

Who we are:

For 75 years NATOs mission has been to preserve peace and security in the Alliance for nearly one billion citizens. The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) and its predecessors have worked tirelessly in providing the means that enable the connectedness and togetherness that keep our Alliance strong. We are the NCIA a team of 3000 civilian and military staff in 29 locations throughout Europe North America and Asia.

Our technology and cyber experts allow NATO to conduct critical operations protect NATOs airspace make data-driven decisions defend against cyber-attacks secure NATO networks and maintain superiority in space. This is all possible because of our greatest force our order to keep this edge we aim to hire train and retain the very best staff.

The role:

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) leads the management of internal information systems infrastructure and processes to support business goals focusing on efficiency security and operational excellence. The CIO coordinates the vision strategy and business models supporting the digital enterprise and business operating models required to support the ambition. The incumbent will be responsible for coordinating and implementing the Agencys cyber security policy and the coherent implementation of cyber security tasks including asset/configuration/access management vulnerability assessments and threat risk management within the Agency. The CIO works with NATO HQ stakeholders to align with Cyber posture policies.

As a direct report of the NCIA General Manager the CIO is a member of the Agency Executive Management Team and will play a pivotal role in planning and aligning Agency strategic goals and contribute to achieving the ambitions of the NCIA Strategic Plan. Finally the CIO will lead and be supported by the Agency CIO Office (CIOO).

The CIO will be responsible for delivering the following capabilities:

Subject Matter Expertise: Act as the SME for internal IT strategy and architecture ensuring technology initiatives align with organizational goals and long-term business plans. Provide expert leadership in information management including data governance system integration data quality and lifecycle management. Serve as the SME for internal IT infrastructure and platforms overseeing implementation of cloud for the Agency on-premises and hybrid environments to ensure scalability resilience and cost efficiency. Function as the SME for internal IT operations and service management ensuring high availability performance and continuous improvement of technology services. Lead and advise on cybersecurity risk management and information protection establishing policies and controls to safeguard systems and data.

Leadership: Provide high-level leadership and strategic direction to ensure the efficient and high quality delivery of projects and services. Lead by example providing the management team and staff with clear and actionable direction. Build maintain and strengthen relations with internal and external stakeholders to mobilise resources and commitments in support of relevant NCIA strategic priorities. Play a key role representing the NCIA as required in Agency Governance Bodies committees meetings and conferences to promote NATOs interests and strategic goals.

Management and Coordination: Lead motivate and contribute to the professional development and performance management of staff. Ensure delivery of high-quality work within set deadlines efficient working methods and a constructive working atmosphere. Build and lead a cohesive multicultural and multidisciplinary team promoting excellence the highest professional standards and be responsible for contributing to create a work environment where managers support staff in developing their full potential.

For a full list of duties please review the job description on the NCIA career site.

Who you are:

The successful candidate will possess the following qualifications and expertise:

A Masters degree at a nationally recognized/certified university in a related discipline and 15 years post-related experience. Or a Bachelors degree with 20 years post related experience;
Extensive experience (at least 15 years) at the executive management level involving leading and managing change in a dynamic technical organisation;
Proven experience running large (hundred million euro) scale programs;
Proven experience running contemporary CIS cloud-based workloads;
Development and implementation of business strategy;
IT/Digital strategy development and its implementation;
Keen familiarity with all Lifecycle aspects of Information Systems;
Resource management including the planning for and allocation of resources in organizations;
Business change management experience in large geographically dispersed organisations;
State-of-the-art project and program management processes procedures and tools including risk management benefits realization stakeholder management;
Knowledge and experience in state-of-the-art technologies relevant to the work of the Agency;
Proven ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with exceptional briefing skills.
Proven experience in innovation and transformation processes;
Proven experience working as an integral member of an executive level management team charged with developing and implementing policies and plans programmes and projects;
Proven experience conducting relations at senior level and within a political decision-making environment;
Proven experience in managing large diverse and multidisciplinary teams.

What do we offer

Genuinely meaningful work as part of the most successful alliance in history
Initial three year contract with a competitive monthly tax-free salary and household and childrens allowances
Privileges for expatriate staff including expatriation and education allowances (where appropriate) and additional home leave
Excellent private health insurance scheme
Generous annual leave of 30 days plus official holidays
Retirement Pension Plan


To learn more about our mission and goals at the NCIA please visit our website.

The NCIA prides itself on being an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment of mutual respect and value uniqueness and differences in gender gender identity race ethnic or cultural origin age religion sexual orientation and physical or neurocognitive ability.

Additional details on the conditions of application can be found via the NCIA career site.