Data Lead - Data Governance

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 – C005375 

Role Duties and Responsibilities  

• Weekly Data Governance Board (DGB): 
  • Running the weekly DGB as Data Lead and Chair-Person in full coordination with the ACPV contractor. 
  • DGB meetings are planned, chaired and completed in coordination with the ACPV main contractor.  
  • Agenda, participants and supporting material are confirmed before each meeting.  
  • Meetings result in clear decisions, actions and assigned responsibilities. 
• Preparation of DGB Submission Packages: 
  • Prepare on weekly basis mature and complete DGB submission package for the DGB agenda and confirm completeness and readiness of submitted package via the ACPCV DGB secretariat. 
  • Submission packages are to be complete, accurate and sufficiently mature for DGB consideration. 
  • Required documentation, recommendations and supporting evidence are included. 
• Documentation of DGB Proceedings: 
  • Document on weekly basis DGB decisions, action items and proceedings that are properly captured. 
  • Decisions, action items, owners and deadlines are accurately recorded. 
  • Meeting minutes are reviewed and distributed to relevant stakeholders. 
  • Records are stored in the approved repository and remain traceable. 
• Data Governance KPI and Quality Reporting: 
  • Track and report on weekly basis the data governance KPIs and the quality indicators with aim to address data governance performance gaps and support continuous improvement.  
  • Data governance KPIs and quality indicators are measured and reported weekly. 
  • Performance gaps, trends and root causes are identified. 
  • Corrective or improvement actions are proposed and tracked. 
• Monitoring and Reporting of Mandatory Data Governance Artefacts:  
  • Report on weekly basis that the data governance mandatory artefacts are collected as per the DGB Terms of References (TOR) and the associate Data Source on-boarding Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). 
  • Mandatory artefacts are collected and reviewed against the DGB TOR and Data Source On-Boarding SOP. 
  • Missing, incomplete or outdated artefacts are identified and  reported. 
  • Artefacts are stored in the designated repository and are  traceable. 
• Supervising Data Source On-Boarding Working Group:  
  • Supervise the work of the Data Source On-Boarding Working Group (DOWG) in its mission to prepare decision and recommendation packages for the DGB when convened on weekly basis. 
  • DOWG activities are planned, coordinated and aligned with DGB priorities. 
  • Decision and recommendation packages are accurate, complete and ready for DGB review. 
  • Risks, issues and delays are escalated in a timely manner. 
• ACPV Data Business-Value Reporting: 
  • Report monthly that the knowledge generated out of the ACPV data is delivering the intended business value. 
  • The knowledge, insights and outputs generated from ACPV data are assessed against defined business objectives.  
  • Business benefits, use cases and value gaps are documented. 
  • Recommendations are provided to improve data utilisation and business outcomes. 

Essential Skills, Experience and Certifications 

Essential: 

• Bachelor's degree in Data Management, Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field. 
• At least five years of relevant experience in data governance, data management, information management, or business intelligence. 
• Experience chairing governance boards, working groups, or formal decision making meetings. 
• Experience reviewing governance submissions and assessing their completeness, maturity, and decision readiness. 
• Experience documenting decisions, actions, risks, and meeting proceedings. 
• Experience defining, tracking, and reporting data-governance KPIs and data quality indicators. 
• Knowledge of data governance, data quality, data ownership, stewardship, metadata, and data-source onboarding. 
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary stakeholders, contractors, and technical teams. 
• Strong analytical, organisational, communication, and stakeholder management skills. 

Desirable: 

• Certification in data management, data governance, project management, ITIL, or business analysis. 
• Experience with data catalogues, BI tools, data-quality platforms, or document-management systems. 
• Experience in an international, governmental, defence, security, or regulated environment. 
• Knowledge of data-management framework. 
• Experience in configuration management, validation, cybersecurity, or technical data environments. 
• Prior experience of working in an international environment comprising both military and civilian elements. 
• Knowledge of NATO organization, internal structure and resultant relationships. 
• Personal Attributes. 
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and accountability. 
• Detail-oriented and committed to maintaining accurate, complete, and traceable records. 
• Proactive and results-focused. 
• Diplomatic but able to challenge stakeholders when necessary. 
• Organised and capable of working under time pressure. 
• Collaborative and comfortable working across organisational boundaries. 
• Committed to continuous improvement and evidence-based decision-making. 
• Strong leadership and meeting-facilitation skills. 
• Ability to chair meetings objectively, maintain focus, manage disagreements, and drive decisions. 
• Ability to supervise working groups and coordinate activities across multiple teams. 
• Ability to assign responsibilities, monitor progress, and ensure timely closure of actions. 

Language Proficiency: 

Full proficiency in English and ability to interact both at the technical level and business level in English, excellent meeting management skills and reporting skills are essential. 

Working Location 

• Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium 

Working Policy 

• On-site 100% 

Travel 

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required 

Security Clearance 

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance