2025-0304 Support for Modern Workplace (NS) REMOTE - 16 Oct

Please do  NOT  apply for any NATO contract positions unless you meet ALL the following criteria:

Any applications that do NOT meet all the above - and do not CLEARLY show these on the CV - will be deleted.

Introduction:

• Supporting NATO throughout all its geographical locations, the NCI Agency is looking for Support for Modern Workplace, joining the journey of NATO's modernisation of IT services, through leveraging Microsoft 365 Services, delivering managed, protected, security-centric and reliable IT Services.

NCI Agency - Cloud Operations Team

• The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) is dedicated to supporting NATO's strategic objectives, including the ambitious NATO 2030 agenda. As part of this commitment, we are spearheading the modernization and digital transformation of NATO's IT services. Our focus is on leveraging public cloud technologies like Microsoft 354, incorporating a security-by-design approach, and ensuring a seamless transition to a modern, collaborative workplace environment.
• To achieve these goals, we are building a Cloud Operations Center team under the Cloud Portfolio, operating under the NATO Enterprise Cloud Operating Model (NECOM) and under the guidance of the Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE). The NECOM framework provides a standardized approach for cloud service management, ensuring interoperability, scalability, and security across NATO's IT infrastructure. The Cloud Center of Excellence will serve as a hub for best practices, innovation, and expertise, driving the adoption and optimization of cloud technologies within NATO. This team will play a crucial role in our journey towards providing managed, protected, and reliable End User Services.
• Embracing the latest technological advancements, this initiative will foster innovation and ensure NATO remains at the cutting edge of IT capabilities. By continuously evolving and integrating new technologies, we aim to enhance operational efficiency and readiness for future challenges. This remote position offers an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of NATO's technological evolution and contribute to the security and efficiency of our operations.

NCI Agency - Cloud Centre of Excellence (CCoE):

• The Cloud Centre of Excellence (CCoE) within the NCI Agency is focused on driving successful cloud adoption and maximizing the potential of cloud technologies across the organization. It serves as a central governing body, promoting best practices, enabling knowledge sharing, and ensuring alignment between business objectives and cloud initiatives. The CCoE supports various cloud-based solutions, ensuring their effective and efficient implementation and management. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, the CCoE helps the NCI Agency leverage cloud technologies to enhance operational efficiency, scalability, and agility.
• The ideal service will offer expertise in managing resources in Microsoft 365 services.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills are required, along with the ability to document processes on Microsoft 365 services.
• This service is critical for maintaining a secure and efficient cloud environment, supporting internal users and external collaborators.
• One resource is required to perform the services described under this SOW.

Objectives:

• The NCI Agency is embracing cloud services by transitioning to Microsoft 365 Services with a security-centric design. This shift aims to enhance operational efficiency, collaboration, and security across the organization.
• The objective of this statement of work is to establish a support and operating model for End User Services operating in the Public Cloud.

Scope of Work:
Under the direction / guidance of the Modern Workplace Team technical lead or the Cloud Operations Center Manager, the contractor will perform the following activities:
Platform Administration & Operations:

• Administer and configure SharePoint Online site collections, permissions, libraries, and governance policies.
• Manage Power Platform environments (Power Apps, Power Automate, Power Virtual Agents) including licensing, DLP policies, and environment provisioning.
• Support Power BI workspace management, data gateway configuration, capacity planning, and dataset refresh scheduling.
• Operate and monitor Microsoft Fabric workloads, pipelines, and dataflows for performance and reliability.
• Maintain compliance and security settings in alignment with corporate policies and Microsoft best practices.

Support & Incident Management:

• Act as Tier 2/3 support for end-user incidents and service requests related to Microsoft 365 Modern Workplace tools.
• Support the end-users in developing and maintain automated workflows using Power Automate to streamline business processes
• Troubleshoot complex issues, perform root cause analysis, and coordinate with cloud providers when required.
• Monitor service health dashboards and proactively address potential performance or availability issues.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation for Microsoft 365 Modern Workplace processes, configurations, and workflows;

Security and Compliance:

• Implement and manage governance controls to ensure compliance with organizational standards;
• Ensure compliance with internal security, data protection, and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct regular audits and reviews of access controls and permissions.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Collaborate with IT security, compliance, and other relevant teams to ensure cohesive cloud resources management strategies.
• Collaborate with business units to identify opportunities to improve productivity using Microsoft 365 and Power Platform.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders to understand Modern Workplace requirements and address concerns.

Coordination and Reporting:
The contractor shall participate in daily status update meetings, activity planning and other meetings as instructed, via electronic means using Conference Call capabilities, according to the Cloud Operation Center Manager / Team Leaders instructions. This contractor hired for this position will be part of the NCIA Cloud Operations Center Team.
 
Constraints:

• All the deliverables provided under this statement of work will be based on NCI Agency templates or agreed with the project point of contact.
• All code, scripts, documentation, etc. will be stored under configuration management and/or in the provided NCI Agency tools.

Practical Arrangements:

• The contractor will be required to provide services 100% off site NCI Agency.
• The contractor will be required to provide services within a NATO country, following the rules and regulations applicable for the operations of NATO CIS.
• NCIA Recognised Business hours/Holidays: NCIA-Braine L'Alleud (BLA) official holiday schedule applies and will be provided to the contractor.
• NCIA Hours of Operations: Monday to Thursday 0830 - 1730 and Friday 0830 - 1530 (CET)
• Contractor Furnished Services: Contractor shall furnish everything required to perform the contract except for the items specified and covered under NCIA Furnished Property and Services below.
• NCIA Furnished Property and Services: o Access to relevant networks and environments will be provided by NCIA
• The work depicted in this SOW is expected to be carried by a SINGLE RESOURCE.

Requirements:
Security:

• With this role being of technical nature providing administrative support, a security clearance at the NATO Secret level is required prior to the start of the engagement.

Qualification:
The Support for Modern Workplace requires an experienced Modern Workplace Engineer with the following qualifications:
Technical Expertise:

• At least 5 years of recent, hands-on experience in supporting Microsoft 365 environments.
• A minimum of 3 years hands-on experience with Power Apps development, Power Automate workflows, and environment governance.
• Minimum 3 years of recent hands-on experience with Power BI, including dataset modelling, DAX, gateway configuration, and workspace administration.
• Minimum 1 year of recent hands-on experience with Microsoft Fabric architecture, workloads, and integration with Power BI.
• Minimum 3 years of recent hands-on experience with Microsoft 365 security, compliance centre, and identity & access management (Entra ID).

Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills:

• Strong analytical skills to assess and improve Modern Workplace processes and workflows;
• Ability to troubleshoot complex Microsoft 365 issues and implement effective solutions.

Security and Compliance Knowledge:

• Understanding of security best practices and compliance requirements related to Microsoft 365 services;
• Experience conducting audits and ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.

Communication and Collaboration:

• Excellent communication skills to effectively collaborate with IT teams, stakeholders, and end-users;
• Ability to document processes clearly and provide training on Microsoft 365 Services.

Organizational Skills:

• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively;
• Attention to detail in managing user accounts, groups, and access controls.

Team Collaboration:

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and share knowledge and resources;
• Willingness to collaborate with colleagues to solve complex issues.

Others:

• The Contractor has strong customer relationship skills, including negotiating complex and sensitive situations under pressure;
• Full proficiency in the English language. French language proficiency is of advantage.