CIS Program Manager - Spektrum

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

Allied Command Transformation (ACT) is NATO's leading agent for change: driving, facilitating, and advocating the continuous improvement of Alliance capabilities to maintain and enhance the military relevance and effectiveness of the Alliance. The main objectives of ACT are: providing appropriate support to NATO missions and operations; leading NATO military transformation; and improving relationships, interaction and practical cooperation with partners, nations and international organisations. ACT therefore leads Alliance concept development, capability development, training and lessons-learned initiatives and provides unfettered military support to policy development within NATO.

The program 

Capability Development & Management Support (CDMS)

 DCOS Capability Development (CAPDEV) acts as the Supreme Allied Commander Transformation's Director for guidance, direction and coordination of the activities and resources of the Capability Development Directorate.

The Requirements Division will execute all tasks and activities needed to support requirements management for NATO capabilities

The Capability Requirements (CR) Branch will develop the Capability Requirements Brief and recommended courses of action to resolve issues through the life cycle management of requirements using matrixed, cross-functional project-specific Requirements Management teams.

The Requirements Forward Branch (Mons) is responsible for conducting requirements development and management representation and engagement-related functions in Europe.

The Capability Division coordinates the development of capabilities from capability planning through acceptance and then disposal with management entities, NATO Headquarters staff and the NATO Governance Structure

The Capability Forward Branch (Mons) coordinates with ACO, NCIA, NSPA, NATO HQ, territorial Host Nations, and NATO Centres of Excellence (COEs) to support the development of capabilities.

Strategic Plans and Policy (SPP) supports Allied Command Transformation in formalizing military advice to shape future military strategy, political guidance, and other policy documents supporting NATO's strategic objectives.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

The interim Capability Management Office (iCMO) of the Nuclear, Command and Control (NC3) Programme serves as the business and operations management entity supporting the Programme in performing all tasks and functions required to plan, develop, implement and employ the NC3 capability within time, cost and scope. Within the iCMO, the NC3 Communications and Information Services (CIS) Coordinator will provide CIS Subject Matter Expertise in programme and project planning and delivery. From the CIS standpoint, they will:

• Support NC3 Capability Architecture, Capability Requirements and Capability Programme Plan (CPP) development.
• Support production of Project Proposals (PPs) by HNs/THNs for submission.
• Ensure that the proposed projects align with the broader NC3 objectives, strategic goals, and benefits/outcomes. Verify that the projects contribute to the enhancement of NC3 capabilities.
• Define technical evaluation criteria and metrics to assess project proposals objectively.
• Identify potential technical risks associated with the proposed project. Develop risk mitigation plans and strategies to address technical challenges.
• Collaborate with the NC3 Programme Director, Project Coordinators and Host Nation/Territorial Host Nation Leads to assess the technical resources required for successful project execution.
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert (SME) and advisor to project teams and proposal development teams. Provide technical guidance and recommendations to enhance the quality of project proposals.
• Document all technical aspects of the project proposal, including technical approaches, methodologies, and assumptions.
• Generate technical reports and documentation as needed to support proposal submission.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Experience in Communications and Information Services project design and/or implementation.
• Experience in Programme Management, ideally working with the NATO Common Funded Capability Delivery Governance Model for capability development and implementation.
• Experience working in a national defence organization, a multinational organization or, ideally, NATO.
• Certified qualification in Programme and Project Management (Axelos or similar methodologies).

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Possess a high level of organizational and coordination skills:
  • Capacity to work under general direction within a clear framework of accountability with substantial personal responsibility. Plan, schedule and monitor work activities in order to meet time and quality targets and in accordance with established procedures.
  • Ability to effectively multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to effectively work in a cross-group collaborative environment, quickly understand the needs of HQ SACT and support the collective effort to reach the fixed objectives.
  • Work effectively as a member of a multi-national and multi-disciplinary team.
• Have proven analyst skills:
  • Ability to quickly and efficiently sort through data to identify key issues or variables to consider in making important strategic decisions and to transform into staff products, reports, and analysis that can be consumed by a wide range of audiences.
  • Maintain awareness of developing trends and understand the implications of new concepts and technologies, in order to assess or evaluate risks.
  • Absorb new information rapidly and apply it effectively in relevant internal business areas or external agencies.
  • Select appropriately from applicable standards, methods, tools and applications.
  • Apply analytical and systematic approach to problem solving.
  • Summarize large amounts of written material.
  • Use contemporary office tools, including MS Office and communication systems.
• Possess strong communication skills:
  • Communicate and present complex information in English, both orally and in writing, effectively to specialist and non-specialist audience.
  • Ability to influence team and specialist peers.
  • Ability to prepare and develop for ACT leadership briefings, background papers, reports, and speeches.
  • Experience in facilitating mid-sized events (i.e. preparing and assisting presenters in the development of presentations and development of decision support briefings).

Education

• Bachelor's degree (desirable Master's degree) in Science or Engineering (Electronic/System/Engineering Telecommunication) or related technical discipline

Language Proficiency

• Business English

Working Location

• Norfolk, VA, USA

Working Policy

• On-Site

Contract Duration

• January 2025 – December 2029

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance