GIS SME Technical Adviser

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 Background

The JISR Centre’s Vision is to assure information superiority for NATO. Our Mission is to deliver, support and protect valued Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, expertise and services, to maximise operational effectiveness for NATO.

The GeoMetOc Services Branch within the JISR Centre is responsible for the full lifecycle support of the GeoMetOc Application Services and requires an individual to perform the execution of geospatial production tasks in support of NATO operations. This job description outlines a SME GIS role focuses on supporting NATO`s mapping geospatial requirements while ensuring compliance with standards and policies.

The GIS SME Technical Adviser will provide invaluable expertise in the usage of GIS technology, mapping standards, rapid mapping techniques, data management and quality assurance, ensuring that NATO’s operations remain supported by the highest quality geospatial data and tools

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• Technical advice on mapping production methodologies and leveraging of GIS tools to meet NATO`s geospatial policy as well as Mission`s specific geospatial production requirements;
• Support the update of NATO mapping standard series including JOGs, TLM and MTMs;
• Implement rapid mapping techniques for the update of NATO Standard mapping series;
• Capture Geospatial data requirements for the NATO Functional Area Services (FASs);
• Development of Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) procedures for GIS and mapping projects;
• Perform the Quality control of GIS products and NATO Mapping series to agreed standards;
• Implementation of Geospatial standards in order to ensure that geospatial products and services align with NATO standards and interoperability requirements;
• Deep knowledge on the work developed by the Joint Geospatial Requirements Working Group (JGRWG) and the Joint Standardisation Working Group (JSWG);
• Performing ad-hoc geospatial production support tasks.
• The list of activities may expand as urgent operational requests emerge and qualification of the candidate allows.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Candidate must have successfully completed of the (M2-48 - INT) NATO Geospatial Orientation Course at the NATO School Oberammergau (NSO). This is the key for the understanding of the NATO`s operational geospatial environment as well as Mission`s specific geospatial production requirements.
• Minimum 1 year’ experience in NATO theatres of operation is required, with a proven ability to support geospatial operations in complex and dynamic environments.
• Strong understanding of NATO GIS standards, interoperability requirements, and data management policies, particularly as established by the Joint Geospatial Requirements Working Group (JGRWG) and Joint Standardisation Working Group (JSWG).
• Minimum 5 years’ professional experience of real world mapping production according to NATO standard series including Joint Operations Ground (JOG) maps, Topographic Line Maps (TLM) and MGCP Topographic Maps (MTMs).
• Proven experience on the usage of ESRI Data Driven Pages functionality, enhanced with Python scripting, for the creation of complex map books with consistent styling, symbology, grids and graticules as well as layout/legend elements throughout the series, fully aligned with the standards adopted by NATO for geospatial production and interoperability.
• Proven experience on the implementation of colour management systems for GIS mapping projects, ensuring consistent colour palettes, ICC profile application and accuracy across digital (RGB) and print formats (CMYK), in alignment with data standards for geospatial data production.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in the usage of the following ESRI extensions in the context of MTM production and others projects based on MGCP data:
  • Data Reviewer;
  • Defense Mapping;
  • Production Mapping;
  • Spatial Analyst;
  • Task Assistant Manager.
• Minimum 3 years' experience in manipulation and edition of vectorial data using Arc GIS 10 (x) Tools/ArcGIS Pro.
• Proven experience on the development/implementation of "rapid mapping production methodologies" for the update of NATO mapping standard series.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience on GIS projects performing photointerpretation and feature classification upon aerial/satellite imagery and ancillary mapping.
• Minimum 1 year’ experience on MTM production in the areas of cartographic edition and map finishing according to the MTM Data Product Specifications.
• We require proof by a recognized geographic mapping entity that MTMs produced by the candidate were 100% compliant with the MTM Data Product Specifications.
• Proof that the candidate has the required knowledge and experience to perform MTM Quality Control according to the MTM Data Product Specifications.
• Minimum 3 years' experience in the development and implementation of Quality Assurance (QA) as well as Quality Control (QC) procedures applied to the area of GIS map production projects.
• Proven knowledge on the NATO Geospatial policy and solid understanding of geospatial data requirements for NATO Operations.
• Minimum 3 years’ working experience with Designated Geospatial Information (DesGI) and Supplementary Geographic Information (SGI) used in support of NATO operations.
• Ability to travel to NCI Agency for coordination meetings.
• Fluent in Business English.

Education

• MSc degree at a nationally recognised/certified University in Geospatial Science, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), or other relevant scientific, engineering or geospatial related field supplemented by relevant GIS postgraduate qualifications.
• Or exceptionally, the lack of a university degree may be compensated by the demonstration of a candidate’s particular abilities or experience that is/are of interest to NCI Agency, that is, at least 6 years’ extensive and progressive expertise in duties related to the function of the post.

Working Policy

• Remote

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required