NATOIS-0032 Senior Project Manager and UN SME DCB (NS) - WED 20 Aug

Deadline Date: Wednesday 20 August 2025

Requirement: Senior Project Manager and UN SME DCB

Location: Off-Site

Note: Please refer to your Subcontract Agreement, article 6.4.1.a, which states “Off-Site Discount: 5% (this discount is applicable to all requirements, and applies when the assigned personnel are permitted to work Off-Site, such as at- home)". Please be sure to price this discount in your overall price proposal when submitting bids against off-site RFQs

Total Scope of the request (hours): 2025 BASE: 480 hours (12 weeks x 38 hours)

Options: Up to maximum 1642 hours per year.

Period of Performance: 2025 BASE: As soon as possible not later than 29 September- 31 December 2025, with possibility to exercise the following options:

2026 Option – Jan – Dec 2026

2027 Option– Jan – Dec 2027

Required Security Clearance: NATO SECRET

Special Terms and Conditions: The contractor will be responsible for complying with the respective national requirements for working permits, visas, taxes, social security etc. whilst working on site at NATO HQ Brussels, Belgium.

No special status is either conferred or implied by the host organisation, NATO HQ Brussels, Belgium to the contractor whilst working on site.

The contractor will be responsible for complying with all the respective National Health COVID- 19 regulations in Belgium before taking up the position

1. Profile Description Summary: We are looking for a proactive Project Manager (PM) and United Nations (UN) Subject Matter Expert (SME) to reinforce Defence Capacity Building (DCB) Programme Officer. The contractor will coordinate the tasks related to the 2025 United Nations C4ISR Academy for Peace Operations (UNCAP) Program of Work (PoW) and the identification, design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of the new UN DCB starting in 2026.

2. NATO’S Division & Supervision, Coordination And Reporting

Division: Defence and Security Cooperation Directorate (DSCD)

Mission: The Defence and Security Cooperation Directorate (DSCD) is in charge of provision of practical support to partners through the Defence and related security Capacity Building (DCB) Initiative and other relevant capacity building activities. To date, such support is provided to the United Nations through tailored DCB packages. Capacity building support encompasses various types of assistance, including advising, mentoring, education, training and exercises, complemented by specific projects to develop and/or acquire services, equipment, material or infrastructure.

Current context: As the focal point for NATO defence and related security cooperation initiatives, the DSCD Directorate uses an integrated set of planning and programme implementation tools to develop effective and efficient state defence and security institutions under democratic control that comply with international norms and practices, and to develop forces and capabilities that can operate effectively nationally and with NATO forces or other international forces, when appropriate. The Directorate plays a substantial role in the development and implementation of the NATO-wide Individually Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP) to ensure coherence of programme implementation.

NATO POC for supervision and coordination purposes: DSCD Directorate and the Delivery Section, the Capacity Building Team, UNDCB Program Manager.

3. Objectives and Scope of Work: Senior Project Manager and UN SME DCB will support the DSCD Directorate and the Delivery Section, the Capacity Building Team, by aligning and coordinating implementation of the 2025 UNCAP PoW and the new DCB starting on 2026.

4. Duties and Role:

• Acting as Subject Matter Expert (SME) to support DSCD with the UN DCB transition Program of Work
• Acting as Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Digital Transformation, Innovation and Modernization to support DSCD with the creation of follow-on UN DCB package
• Plan, monitor, control and report on the UNCAP PoW.
• Schedule, orchestrate and ensure completion of the PoW.
• Actively manage risks and issues related to PoW and collect lessons learned.
• Coordinate and ensure alignment with key PoW and UNCAP stakeholders.
• Identification, design and implement for the DCB for 2026 with close collaboration with the main stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance, assessments, and strategic recommendations to align the Program of Work (PoW) for the UN with DSCD goals.
• Provide technical guidance, assessments and strategic recommendations in the development of a new UNDCB package
• Prepare, support and participate in NATO-UN Working Groups, in particular digital transformation and Innovation/modernization lines of engagement.
• Collaborate with NATO and UN to develop tailored programs, frameworks, and best practices to enhance new UNDCB package.
• Monitor, evaluate, assessing risks and impacts, ensuring alignment with NATO standards, and facilitating knowledge-sharing among stakeholders.

5. Location: The Service will be 100% (off-site)

6. Timelines:

Period of performance for SOW will commence as soon as possible but not later than 29 September and continue until 31st December 2025.

A contract extension is possible for the calendar years 2026 and 2027. These contract extensions are subject to performance of the contractor and related NATO regulations and budget availability.

If the 2026 option is exercised, the period of performance is 01st January 2026 to 31st December 2026

If the 2027 option is exercised, the period of performance is 01st January 2027 to 31st December 2027.

7. Travel: Occasional travel might be required to NATO HQ, Brussels, Belgium, to the UNCAP site in Entebbe, Uganda or other locations as designated.

The amounts for travel and per-diem costs incurred by the Contractor’s personnel performing official missions to locations other than Brussels, if the work at such location was authorised by NATO Service Manager and must be documented with the corresponding NATO Service Manager’s travel authorization and the travel tickets and receipts.

Amounts will be reimbursed (outside of this contract) according to NATO Travel on Duty (TDY) cost limitation and standards.

8. Scope of Work/ Activities:

All documentation and activities linked to the scope of work and the domains of activities described above. Including, but not limited to:

• Provide technical guidance, assessments, and strategic recommendations to align the Program of Work (PoW) for the UN with DSCD goals.
• Provide technical guidance, assessments and strategic recommendations in the development of a new UNDCB package
• Prepare, support and participate in NATO-UN Working Groups, in particular digital transformation and Innovation/modernization lines of engagement.
• Collaborate with NATO and UN to develop tailored programs, frameworks, and best practices to enhance new UNDCB package.
• Monitor, evaluate, assessing risks and impacts, ensuring alignment with NATO standards, and facilitating knowledge-sharing among stakeholders.

9. Required Expertise and Qualification:

[See Requirements]

10. Security and Non-Disclosure Agreement:

The contracted individual must be in possession of active and valid security clearance NATO SECRET. A signed Non-Disclosure Agreement will be required.

11. Contractor Furnished Services: Contractor shall furnish everything required to perform the contract except for the items specified and covered under NATO IS Furnished Property and Services below.

12. NATO IS Furnished Property and Services:  Access to relevant networks and environments will be provided by NATO IS

13. Constraints:

All the documentation provided under this statement of work will be based on NATO IS templates or agreed with project point of contact.

All scripts, documentation and required code will be stored under configuration management and/or in the provided NATO IS tools.

All developed solutions, tools and code under this project will be property of the NATO IS.

Requirements

9. Required Expertise and Qualification:

• 10 years solid military or industry background in Information, Communication and Technology, in particular C4ISR for operations and missions.
• 7-10 years relevant experience in progressively senior training and education roles.
• At least 5 years proven experience in course development, certification, training and ISO auditing.
• Experience with development of curriculum, training materials and instructional aids.
• Knowledge of NATO with experience working with UN or the AU and multilateral stakeholders in capacity building.
• Proven Program management experience.
• Knowledge of NATO with experience working with UN or the AU and NATO stakeholders in capacity building.
• Knowledge of and experience with the NATO Command Structure, the NATO Political Structure, NATO agencies or COEs is an asset.
• Experience working with a UN HQ and Regional Support Centre is an asset.
• Certification and/or ISO audit experience is an asset.
• At least Bachelor level in Communications, Public Administration, Business Management and Policy or related areas.
• Advanced Masters degree in information engineering, IT network management or cyber.
• Recognized P3M qualification, such as MoP, Prince 2, PMBOK, PMP, etc.
• Knowledge of Service Management including ITIL 3 and/or 4;
• Knowledge and experience with Organisational Change Management (CM) frameworks;
• Language requirements: Possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other. (English Advanced, French Beginner)
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• High level of organizational and coordination skills;
• Possess the ability to work under pressure and meet tight timelines;
• Proven stakeholder management skills.
• Possess strong oral and written English communication skills.
• Demonstrate good political judgement and tact

10. Security and Non-Disclosure Agreement:

• The contracted individual must be in possession of active and valid security clearance NATO SECRET. A signed Non-Disclosure Agreement will be required.