Information Architecture and Taxonomy Consultant

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 Chief Technology Office (CTO) of NCI Agency has a requirement for off-site support to the Federated Interoperability (FI) Branch of SACT under the ACT Programme of Work (POW) for 2025.

NCIA Supports the FI Branch through a Federated Mission Networking Framework Support Project. This project is divided into multiple Work Packages (WPs). WP6 provides support for the development and maintenance of the Consultation Command and Control Taxonomy (C3T) which is approved by the NATO Digital PolicyCommittee.

An SME is needed with Knowledge of NATO C3, Information principals and have proven analytical expertise to assist the project team in the maintenance and development of different layers of the C3 Taxonomy

Role Duties and Responsibilities

Services to be provided are focused on providing SME support to:

• Analyse existing C3 Taxonomies based on the sponsor’s priorities. For the specified Taxonomy layers in scope, provide SME support to:
  • Contribute to discussions and analysis to determine appropriate taxonomy categorisations and structure
  • Provide relevant analysis and reports to support justification of taxonomy structures and descriptions.
  • Generate Content (develop the descriptions) for Taxonomy elements. Using experience and analysis to identify appropriate descriptions for categorised concepts through extant doctrine where appropriate, but familiar with open source information repositories.
  • Contribute directly to the authoritative repository in the SACT Taxonomy Wiki
  • Document analytical results in architecture tools/methods as directed e.g. Archimate, ARCHI, ARIS
• Support the ACT led C3 Taxonomy Change Management review and control process
• Support the preparation and development of C3 Taxonomy Baseline 17 (BL17)
• Provide regular reporting as follows:
  • Initially weekly reporting of activities and results to the project manager or assigned task lead;
  • Monthly reporting to the C3T Work Package Sponsor in coordination with the task lead, in line with the Sprint schedule.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Expert knowledge of Information Architecture and systems engineering techniques
• Demonstrated expertise in Taxonomy Development & Management including the design of hierarchical classification structures, controlled vocabularies, and/or metadata schemas in the military domain.
• Extensive expertise in Stakeholder Engagement to include work with military IT personnel, analysts, and decision-makers to align taxonomy with mission objectives.
• Proven expertise in Requirements Elicitation & Documentation to gather and document taxonomy requirements from military stakeholders, ensuring alignment with operational needs.
• Data Categorization & Standardization to ensure structured classification of NATO C3 concepts
• Governance & Change Management processes to assist in establishing and managing taxonomy governance models for version control and standardization.
• Military Taxonomy & Classification Systems for familiarity with military classification frameworks (e.g., C3T, NATO STANAGs, NIST 800-60).
• Metadata & Structured Data for experience in applying metadata standards like the NATO Core Metadata Specification, Dublin Core))
• Content Management Systems (CMS) for familiarity with commercial or military- specific document repositories. (E.g. Tidepedia (Semantic Media Wiki) which will be used for the work)
• Proven Data Analysis expertise to query, analyze, and validate data structures supporting taxonomy development.
• Minimum of 7 years in business analysis, taxonomy development, or data architecture within an IT environment.
• Knowledge of NATO Structures and military operations
• Experience in NATO IT, defence contracting, or NATO agencies.

Soft Skills

• Clearance & Security Awareness for the ability to work with classified/unclassified data and within secure environments.
• Attention to Detail for ensuring accuracy and consistency in military taxonomies.
• Communication & Collaboration for the ability to work with NATO military and civilian personnel, Capability Teams and Alliance representatives.
• Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking Identifying gaps and inconsistencies in classification structures.
• Training & Documentation Developing taxonomy guidelines, best practices, and user training materials.

Working Location

• Remote

Working Policy

• Off-Site

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance