CDT-0004 Cloud Architect for CDT Capability Coherence Section (NS) - MON 6 Apr

Deadline Date: Monday 6 April 2026

Requirement: Cloud Architect for CDT Capability Coherence Section

Location: Brussels, BE

Full Time On-Site: No

Time On-Site: 80%

Total Scope of the request (hours): 1350 (estimate)

Required Start Date: 11 May 2026

End Contract Date: 23 December 2026

Required Security Clearance: NATO SECRET

Note: For all Level-of-Effort and Completion-Type requests processed outside of the IWC Value Stream, and for which the contractor will not be reimbursed directly by NHQC3S for travel expenses, additional travel funding shall be allocated on a Not-to-exceed basis when the yearly Option is exercised.

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. INTRODUCTION

The NATO Cyber and Digital Transformation (CDT) Division, led by the Assistant Secretary General (ASG), ensures ICT coherence across NATO’s 50+ civil and military bodies, serving over 25,000 users. Reporting to the Secretary General, the ASG oversees enterprise directives and advises on IT acquisition and services.

The ASG has designated 2026 as "the Year of the Cloud," emphasizing adoption and acceleration to modernize NATO’s ICT, maintain strategic advantage, and advance multi-domain operations. This initiative is core to optimizing operational effects, ensuring C2 superiority, and driving transformation.

Cloud technology is vital for enhancing operational efficiency, reinforcing security, fostering rapid innovation, and enabling interoperability. By leveraging Cloud and AI, NATO and Allies seek to strengthen warfighting capabilities, support data-driven decision-making, and align with strategic objectives.

To achieve this, CDT seeks expert support to design, validate, and oversee the technical implementation of key Cloud adoption initiatives at both Enterprise and Alliance level. The main purpose of this role is to facilitate acceleration and coherence of cloud adoption at NATO. The candidate will act as a Cloud Architect and Subject Matter Expert (SME), providing the technical vision necessary to ensure cloud adoption at NATO aligns with overarching strategic goals and policy. They will bridge the gap between strategy, business requirements and technical execution.

2. TASKS

The Cloud Architect will drive the success of NATO’s cloud acceleration initiatives by delivering cloud expertise and coordinating cloud adoption across NATO to ensure acceleration and coherence.

The scope of this work includes three tasks:

Task 1: NATO Enterprise Cloud Implementation Strategy

The contractor will be responsible for coordinating the NATO Enterprise Cloud Implementation Strategy to ensure alignment with the organization’s broader strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain the NATO Enterprise Cloud Implementation Strategy: Oversee and regularly update the strategy to ensure it remains aligned with organizational goals, emerging technologies, and evolving requirements.
• Facilitate Coherent Implementation: Monitor and coordinate the execution of the Cloud Implementation Strategy, with a key focus on supporting major cloud adoption programs such as the Protected Business Network (PBN) and Operational Network Extension (ON-X).
• Assess and Evaluate Architectural Decisions: Continuously review and analyse architectural decisions and their implications for the organization’s strategic goals.
• Provide Strategic Guidance: Offer expert recommendations on scoping, prioritization, and timelines for cloud adoption programs, ensuring well-informed decision-making and effective execution.

Task 2: Acceleration and derisking activities

The contractor will provide advanced technical expertise to support the planning and execution of activities designed to accelerate cloud adoption and mitigate risks associated with major programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead Pilot Projects: Lead small-scale pilot initiatives that provide critical insights, inform strategic decision-making, and minimize risks for larger cloud adoption efforts.
• Collaborate with Teams: Coordinate and oversee both internal teams and external industry service providers to ensure successful project delivery and seamless execution of activities.
• Align Stakeholder Objectives: Engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure alignment on objectives and establish streamlined approaches to execution, fostering consensus and clarity throughout the process.

Task 3: Stakeholder Management

The contractor will serve as the primary liaison between the CDT team and various stakeholders involved in the capability development and implementation of cloud adoption strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage Stakeholder Engagements: Coordinate and manage interactions with key stakeholders—including program teams, security accreditation bodies, business owners, and service providers—to guarantee success in cloud adoption endeavours.
• Facilitate Problem-Solving Workshops: Organize and lead in-depth workshops with stakeholders to address complex technical and programmatic challenges, devising actionable solutions to drive cloud adoption forward.
• Represent CDT Across Forums: Act as the designated representative of the CDT Capability Coherence section in both technical boards and committees to advocate and support cloud adoption objectives.
• Deliver Strategic Briefings: Develop and deliver clear, insightful briefings on technical and strategic matters to a diverse range of stakeholders, ensuring understanding and alignment of goals.

3. PROFILE

[See Requirements]

4. LOCATION OF DUTY

The service will be executed on-site at the NATO HQ offices in Brussels, Belgium. Limited travels to NATO bodies and Committee meetings in NATO Countries may be required. Telework can be performed, however the role requires face to face stakeholder engagement limiting the applicability of this option.

5. TIMELINES

The contractor's services will commence upon contract signature and will continue until 23rd December 2026. Contract extensions are subject to performance of the contractor, budget availibility and related NATO regulations.

6. REPORTING

The contractor reports to the assigned CDT Team Lead. Status reporting will be conducted either on-site at NATO HQ Brussels or through a scheduled conference call, based on what is most effective and feasible. The preference and availability of the CDT assigned Team Lead should be considered in determining the mode of communication.

The contractor shall comply with all general rules, terms, and conditions applicable to working within the CDT at NATO HQ Brussels. This includes security protocols, data protection guidelines, and any specific operational procedures.

7. TRAVEL

Occasional business travel may be required. Travel expenses will be reimbursed to the individual directly (in addition to the hourly rate) under NATO rules.

8. SECURITY AND NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT

The contractor must be in possession of a NATO SECRET security clearance.

A signed Non-Disclosure Agreement will be required.

Requirements

3. PROFILE

The applicant must be able to demonstrate knowledge and experience on the following set of skills.

Mandatory

• Demonstrated relevant experience (5+ years) in designing and implementing Enterprise-scale Cloud architectures (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) within large complex organisations or similar to NATO (supranational, international).
• Demonstrated experience (3+ years) in large-scale migration of on-premise to cloud in an Enterprise context.
• Demonstrated experience (3+ years) in stakeholder management and coordination of technical decision-making (e.g. architecture boards).
• Strong communication skills in English with the ability to develop (in written-form) and present complex concepts in a clear and succinct manner.
• The awardee must hold a NATO SECRET Security Clearance.

Desired

• Demonstrated experience in on-premise datacenter operations and/or implementing air-gapped/on-premise cloud computing capabilities.
• Holds certifications from recognized industry players in cloud (e.g. Microsoft, AWS, Google, Oracle).
• Strong understanding of Enterprise Architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF), IT governance (e.g. COBIT), and service management (ITIL).
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex, multi-national environments (e.g., NATO, EU, or National Defense).
• Demonstrated experience in the design and deployment of Zero Trust Architectures (ZTA).