2025-0352 Data Analytics Solution Project Support (NS) GERMANY - 8 Dec

Problem Statement:

• NSATU lacks the proper tools to collect, collate, analyse, and portray NSATU and stakeholder data that are necessary to enable data-informed decision-making in a timely manner.
• Although KOROVAI is one of the main pillars for data extraction, NSATU is struggling to collect data from the multiple data sources (excel sheets, SkyBlue, EDMS, Common Drives, etc.) to analyse information (movement logistics, training, LENs operations, FLOe's activities, ammo stockpiling, equipment ETRs, nation pledges, etc.) to establish the minimum required level of visualisation and dashboards to enable informed decisions.
• Although GBR is assisting NSATU with in-kind national solutions (Palantir), the provided solution is still limited in functionalities (e.g. limited to charts presentation mode only) due to network domain difference and accessibility.
• NSATU lacks the analytics tools to transition from its current "crisis mode" reporting that is solely focused on feeding the Cooperation and Interoperability Groups (CIGs) with fragmented data into a "campaign mode" that will focus on establishing mid-term forecasting and projections. The transition will allow NSATU to not limit its analytics to descriptive products that can be interpreted differently, but also to exploit data to service further analytical requirements.

Scope of Work:
Data engineering

• Designs and implements data pipelines and data stores to acquire and prepare data.
• Applies data engineering standards and tools to create and maintain data pipelines and extract, transform and load data.
• Carries out routine data quality checks and remediation Programming/software development
• Designs, codes, verifies, tests, documents, amends and refactors moderately complex programs/scripts.
• Applies agreed standards and tools to achieve a well-engineered result.
• Proposes practical solutions to resolve issues.
• Collaborates in reviews of work with others as appropriate.

Systems integration and build

• Defines the software modules needed for an integration build and produces a build definition for each generation of the software.

Data management

• Assesses the integrity of data from multiple sources.
• Provides advice on the transformation of data from one format/medium to another.
• Enables the availability, integrity and search ability of information through the application of formal data and metadata structures and protection measures.

Data modelling and design

• Applies standard data modelling and design techniques based upon a detailed understanding of requirements.
• Establishes, modifies and maintains data structures and associated components.
• Communicates the details of data structures and associated components to others using the data structures and associated components.

Data Analysis Activities:
Data analysis

• Designs, implements, and maintains complex data analytics solutions to acquire and prepare data.
• Creates and maintains data pipelines to connect data within and between data stores, applications and organisations.
• Carries out complex data quality checking and remediation.

Data visualisation

• Applies a variety of visualisation techniques and designs the content and appearance of data visuals.
• Operationalises and automates activities for efficient and timely production of data

visuals.

• Selects appropriate visualisation approaches from a range of applicable options.
• Contributes to exploration and experimentation in data visualisation.

Business intelligence

• Supports business intelligence needs of specific management or governance processes or operational areas.
• Investigates the need for business intelligence reporting and analysis where there is some complexity and ambiguity.
• Selects and applies non-standard business intelligence tools and techniques to provide insights and aid decision-making.
• Selects, acquires and integrates data for analysis.
• Identifies opportunities to digitise and streamline operational data handling and optimize business intelligence capabilities.

Data modelling and design

• Investigates enterprise data requirements where there is some complexity and ambiguity.
• Plans own data modelling and design activities, selecting appropriate techniques and the correct level of detail for meeting assigned objectives.
• Provides advice and guidance to others using the data structures and associated components.

Technical Leadership and Stakeholder Support:

• Provide technical leadership and guidance to support project teams and decision- making
• Support multidisciplinary teams and technical and operational stakeholders
• Participate in meetings with technical and operational experts, offering advice and seeking/applying solutions
• Liaise with Chief Technology Office (CTO), engineering, project management, and operational teams

Practical Arrangements:
Coordination and reporting

• The contractor shall participate in weekly planning and progress meetings with the NCIA Point of Contact, either physically or virtually, to discuss sprint tasks for the upcoming week, according to the NCIA Point of Contact instructions.
• Progress on sprint tasks will be reviewed verbally during these meetings and confirmed by email at the end of each week.
• For payment purposes, a formal Delivery Acceptance Sheet (Annex B) report covering all completed sprint deliverables shall be submitted monthly.
• This monthly report must be signed by both the contractor and the NCIA project authority to confirm acceptance.

Place of Performance: Work will be conducted primarily on-site in Wiesbaden, Germany. However, if the NIMSC Project Management team requires it, the contractor may be asked to work on-site at other NCIA locations within the designated Class II Security Area.
 
Travel Requirement: Initially there will be 3 days in The Hague, then 2 days every 3 months. Travel arrangements are the responsibility of the contractor and should be included in the offer.
Travel may also be required to other Purchasers' locations, including destinations in European countries and the US. Travel arrangements are the responsibility of the contractor.
To be eligible for reimbursement, the contractor must submit a TDY (Temporary Duty) request.
 
Hours of Operation: The Contractor is expected to follow the Purchaser's working hours—Monday to Thursday from 08h30 until 17h30 and Friday from 08h30 until 15h30.
 
Safety and Compliance and other arrangement:

• Follow all safety protocols to prevent accidents and injuries.
• Ensure compliance with agency, industry standards and regulations.
• The Contractor shall manage and be responsible for all activities mentioned in the Section 2.
• The Supplier shall strive to lower the rotation of Contractor's personnel and maintain the same staff Contractor working under this SoW.
• The Purchaser will support the Contractor with access to the IT systems as required.
• The Contractor shall install and operate the equipment following the manufacturer's requirements.
• The Contractor shall minimize the impact to the service during the execution of the work.
• The Contractor shall bring immediately to the attention of the NCIA Point of Contact on-site any issues preventing the execution of the work.

Requirements:
Service Delivery Requiremements:
The Contractors shall fulfil the following:
Data Engineer Requirements

• Security Clearance: The Contractor shall possess valid NATO-Secret Personal Security Clearances for the duration of the Contract performance
• Language Proficiency: English: C1

Qualifications:

• Ability to design, build and manage data pipelines for data structures encompassing data  transformation, data models, schemas, metadata and workload management in an on premise environment.
• At least four years' experience planning and maintaining data lakes, databases and pipeline processes, both batch-wise and (near) real-time;
• Experience in working with large, heterogeneous datasets in building and optimizing data pipelines, pipeline architectures and integrated datasets using data integration technologies on premise.
• Experience in using of data engineering tools to support data science, data analytics and data visualisation (KNIME, SQL Server, Power BI is the preferred toolset)
• Experience with state-of-the-art data engineering, analytics, data integration and pipeline tools/programming language (Python).
• Solid understanding of data security best practices, including data encryption, access controls, authentication/authorization mechanisms, and compliance requirements.
• Experience with monitoring and logging tools to ensure the reliability and performance of data pipelines.
• Familiarity with containerization and orchestration tools such as Docker and Kubernetes is a plus
• Knowledge of best practice of software development. E.g. CI/CD pipelines, unit/funct ional testing, following styling guides is a plus.
• Familiarity with KNIME Analytics Platform and Server is preferred

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience working within NCIA or similar defence-related environments
• Knowledge of NATO Communication and Information Systems Infrastructure
• Prior experience working in an international environment comprising both military and civilian elements.

Data Analyst Requirements

• Security Clearance: The Contractor shall possess valid NATO-Secret Personal Security Clearances for the duration of the Contract performance
• Language Proficiency: English: C1

Qualifications:

• A minimum requirement of a relevant degree at a nationally recognised/certified University in a related discipline and 4 years post-related experience. 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.
• Demonstrable experience as a Data Analyst, Data Scientist, or similar role, or experience performing these functions roles as part of another job.
• Demonstrable experience with at least one programming language or tools, such as KNIME and Python.
• Experience with commercially available or open source data visualization tools, such as Power BI.
• Experience with SQL and relational databases, such as SQL Server.
• Experience in working with on premise environments.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience working within NCIA or similar defence-related environments
• Knowledge of NATO Communication and Information Systems Infrastructure
• Prior experience working in an international environment comprising both military and civilian elements.