TEMPORARY STAFF: Staff Assistant (Geospatial Data Assistant / Architect), Mons

SHAPE is looking for employing a qualified and suitable candidate to fill this post as a temporary staff. The contract is foreseen to start as soon as possible and has an end date set on 31 December 2026. The full duration of the contract is thus dependent on the start date. It includes the possibility of extension.

If you meet the requirements described in the job description below and wish to work in a fast-paced international environment, this post is for you.

In view of the nature and of the urgency of this temporary position, it is important for candidates to be available for temporary employment. In practice, this implies being in possession of valid NATO security clearance at the time of application, or having been in possession of such a clearance with the possibility to reactivate it swiftly.  We therefore only encourage applications for this post if you are already, or have previously been, in possession of a valid NATO security clearance. 

POST CONTEXT

Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) provides an integrated Strategic Effects framework, employing a multi-domain and multi-region focus to create a 360-degree approach, with the flexibility to enable,upon direction, a seamless transition from Baseline Activities and Current Operations (BACO) up to the Maximum Level of Effort (MLE). SHAPE supports SACEUR in fulfilling his terms of reference, as directed by the North Atlantic Council.

The J2 Geospatial Support Section provides the requirements management of the NATO Strategic Database and provides geospatial support and advice to SHAPE and the wider ACO community including all operations and activities.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

The incumbent’s duties are:
• Data management and metadata management. To contribute significantly with the assessment of Location-Based Information across NATO COIs as guided by SHAPE Geospatial Data Manager / GISOfficer / Geospatial Support Section Head, their management and day-to-day activities. Understand data and metadata management and the tool options to support its delivery. Design and maintain the appropriate data and metadata repositories to enable the organization to understand its data assets.
The incumbent is responsible for assessing the location-based information data architecture manage data operations, and develop detailed data schemas with other COIs in order to enable data-centric working from a geospatial or location-based perspective.

• Systems handling. To manage data on exchange platforms such as (but not limited to) PANGEA and other, allied or nations’ owned platforms and work data with them, contribute to their evolvement and effective use as required.

• Data schema development and data modelling. Develop coherent data schemas (including identification of data owners) in order to enable data-centric working from a geospatial or location-based perspective, in support of the NATO Data Exploitation Policy. This will be linked to the Digital Transformation systems architecture. Produce data models and understand where to use different types. Understand different tools and apply and compare different data models, including analysis and reverse-engineering of a data model from a live system in order to understand industry-recognized data modelling patterns and standards.

• Facilitation among data owners. Exchange within the data owner communities from a geospatial perspective to make data interoperability and implement relevant NATO standards (e.g. JGSWG artifacts)are known, accessible and well-advised. This comprises interaction with a broad range of COIs to improveunderstanding and compatibility between community groups.

• Liaison. Liaise effectively with key stakeholders from all relevant groups, including operations, requirements and standards bodies, and communities across SHAPE and the Alliance in a broader sense,

• Communication. Communicating between stakeholders and able to make the technological accessible to non-technical audiences across the organization understanding the context, making complex information and language understandable. Can advocate on behalf of a team.

• Data governance. Understand, develop and apply data governance, how this relates to data architecture and how it works in relation to other organizational governance structures. Participates in or delivers aservice, project or program not limited to the geospatial COI, but also cross-functionally and as required inclose cooperation with e.g. Functional Services managers.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES
• Data innovation. Explore new, more efficient and effective ways of deriving value from data. Optimize and design data to support business opportunities.
• Strategic approach. Take an overall perspective on business issues, events and activities, and discuss their wider implications and long-term impact. Effectively focus on outcomes rather than solutions and activities.
• Communicating data. Use the most appropriate medium and tooling to visualize data, to tell compelling stories that are relevant to business goals and can be acted upon. Can present, communicate and disseminate data effectively, appropriately and with high impact.
• Data analysis and synthesis. Translate data into valuable insights that inform decisions. Can identify and use the most appropriate analytical techniques, and have an understanding of analytical tools. Can demonstrate numeracy. Show an awareness of advances in digital analytics tools and data manipulation products, and can keep up to date with them. Can collect, collate, cleanse, synthesize and interpret data to derive meaningful and actionable insights.

The incumbent may be required to undertake TDY assignments both within and without NATO’s boundaries and be willing to work unsocial hours.

The work is normally performed in a typical Office environment. Normal Working Conditions apply. The risk of injury is categorised as: No risk / risk might increase when deployed

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

1.Professional/Experience

- At least 2 years of experience with Geo-located data and wider data science and analytics: ability to produce intelligence from the combination of quality-assured geospatial information with verified feature data of the military intelligence or other intelligence sources for compliance with a requirement.

- Knowledge of data management with regards to Geospatial Data.

Education/Training

Higher Secondary education and completed intermediate vocational training in geography, computer science, information technology, business administration or related discipline leading to a formal technical or professional certification with 2 years experience, or secondary education and completed advanced vocational training in that discipline leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 4 years post related experience.

Language
English (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing):SLP 3232

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in the development and fielding of Geographic Information Systems.

-  Bachelors Degree in a Geospatial or Data Analytics related subject.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Tact, and a good sense for technical challenges are essential for the incumbent to function. Employee needs to be aware of a highly complex technical and organizational environment and be ready to work under pressure. A good understanding of independent work as well as when to seek decision and endorsement of action is required. Professional experience and development of choices is an asset the incumbent needs to bring, ultimately thoughtful approaches and sound technical judgement. Discretion is required for dealing with sensitive data and classified material, as well as tact in particular when dealing with data emanating from other COIs and Nations, which might not be in perfect order. Data communication is highly appreciated.

PROFESSIONAL CONTACTS
Incumbent discusses once contacts are established by their superiors with all ACO entities and COIs involved in the project and beyond. Establishment of new contacts is appreciated, but not foreseen.

CONTRIBUTION TO THE OBJECTIVES
This is a key position within Intelligence Directorate J2, providing capacity, stability and necessary technical expertise for the daily operation of the Geospatial team within SHAPE and wider SHAPE and NATO community. Incumbent is a key point of contact between the owners of information, the systems administrators of ACO CIS, (including FS, CIP and COPs) and the Geospatial community, acting as a subject matter expert for all data interoperability and exploitation related issues. The incumbent is a key enabler for achieving the goal 'operating off the same map' from the technical data point of view including necessary analysis, finding solutions and providing recommendations affecting all ACO. A knowledge of NATO GIS systems, GI content, data structures and workflows is desirable and will be essential in order to do the task (can be obtained as workplace induction/on the job training).

Diversity and Range of Duties
Incumbent will work to direction given by Section Head but is expected to use initiative to work beyond just the specified tasks and engage with implied tasks to achieve the aim. Incumbent is expected to work broadly and seek out points of contact between communities that need to work collaboratively with data. Key to the role is to ensure continuity across a wide range of different COIs and to ensure that efforts within these groups is in line with direction and guidance from working groups such as the JGSWG, NATO Digital Transformation, NATO Data Exploitation and NATO Metadata and C3B Working groups.

REMARKS
Up to 40 days normal TDY per year may be required.

WHAT WE OFFER

38 hours per week schedule;

2.5 paid days of leave per month worked;

Fulfilling working atmosphere in an international and military community;

Salary: the remuneration of temporary personnel will be specified in their contracts. It is exempt from taxation in the Host Nation;

Benefits package: temporary personnel are covered by a benefits package which consists of an additional sum of 12% of basic salary for pension purposes basic medical and accident insurance provided under the NATO Group insurance contract (death and invalidity). The cost for insurance amounts to 2.57% of basic salary (2/3 payable by the Organisation and 1/3 payable by staff);

For staff eligible under NATO rules, there is also a dependent child allowance and coverage for dependent children for medical benefits.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Candidates possessing a valid NATO or National security clearance will be given priority consideration.

Applications are to be submitted using NATO Talent Acquisition Platform (NTAP) (  Applications submitted by other means (e.g. mail, e-mail, fax, etc) are not accepted.

NTAP allows adding attachments.  A copy of the qualification/certificate covering the highest level of education required by the job description must be provided as an attachment.

Essential information must be included in the application form. Particular attention should be given to Education and Experience section of the application form. Each question should be answered completely.  Expressions such as “please see attached CV, please see annex / enclosed document” or invitations to follow links to personal webpages are not acceptable and will be disregarded. All answers should be in English.

Shortlisted candidates will be requested to provide original documentary evidence and a set of copies supporting statements in their applications.

Final remarks:

Only nationals from the 32 NATO member states can apply for vacancies at SHAPE.

Applications are automatically acknowledged within one working day after submission. In the absence of an acknowledgement please make sure the submission process is completed, or, re-submit the application.  

Candidates’ individual telephone, e-mail or telefax enquiries cannot be dealt with. All candidates will receive an answer indicating the outcome of their application.