Microsoft Power BI Implementation bei Spektrum

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 ID – 2025-0276

Role Background

• To strengthen the Alliance through connecting its forces, the NCIA delivers secure, coherent, cost effective and interoperable communications and information systems in support of consultation, command & control and enabling intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, for NATO, where and when required. It includes IT support to the Alliances’ business processes (to include provision of IT shared services) to the NATO HQ, the Command Structure and NATO Agencies.
• The NATO Business Application Centre (NBAC), as part of the NCIA, and in line with the Agency’s Charter and its Cloud broker role, is to provide Business Applications Capabilities & Services to the Agency, and across NATO Enterprise, and ensure their harmonization rationalisation, and coherence, with the aim to enable overall efficient day-to-day operations, support transparency, and foster internal control.
• In the light of these activities, NBAC (hereafter referred to as the “Purchaser”) is seeking support for Support for Microsoft Power BI Implementation, Service Operations, Development and Training. This support will focus on ensuring the implementation, configuration, operational support, development, documentation and training of Microsoft Power BI based solutions, including both Power BI Report Server (on-premises) and Power BI Service (cloud-based) environments, in alignment with NATO’s IT Service Management processes.
• The Contractor is expected to deliver and maintain high-quality data visualization solutions, aligned with business and governance requirements, while contributing to Level 2 and Level 3 Support (incident, problem, change and service request management) in accordance with ITIL standards. The service includes coordinating with internal infrastructure service teams, documenting technical work, provisioning end-user training, and supporting secure access and authentication configurations (e.g., ADFS claims-based setup for Power BI Report Server).
• The Contractor is also expected to demonstrate flexibility to support project priorities in a dynamic operational environment and may be to work on-site at NATO classified levels in various NATO locations, including but not limited to NATO Headquarters (Brussels), SHAPE (Mons), and Wiesbaden, or other sites within NATO nations, as operationally required.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• 1.1 Power BI Platform Installation & Configuration
  • Deploy, configure, and harden Power BI Report Server (on-premises) and possibly Power BI Service (SaaS) in line with NATO and NCIA security policies and architectural guidance.
  • Ensure secure setup of claims-based ADFS authentication and compliance with change- control windows.
• 1.2 Installation & Configuration Planning
  • Produce a detailed Installation & Configuration Plan covering both environments (NR and NS), authentication setup, and security controls. The plan shall serve as a baseline for deployment and accreditation activities.
• 1.3 Security Hardening & Accreditation Support
  • Provide a hardened, operational platform with tested ADFS login for at least three representative user roles (admin, analyst, and viewer).
  • Support accreditation with NCIA Security Authority and ensure documentation is stored in relevant project repositories (e.g. CMDB).
• 1.4 Platform Administration & Monitoring
  • Deliver ongoing Level 2/3 support, including monitoring of backups, logs, and performance tuning.
  • Maintain compliance with ITIL processes and NATO service operation protocols, and contribute to operational resilience of BI platforms.

• 1.5 Incident, Problem & Change Management
  • Resolve Service Desk tickets in line with SLA targets (≥98% availability, MTTR per priority class) and participate in change management, including impact assessments, patching, and upgrades.
  • Ensure coordination with cross-service infrastructure teams.
• 1.6 Cross-Service Coordination & On-Call Support
  • Collaborate with infrastructure and database teams under OLAs to resolve performance or upgrade-related issues.
• 1.7 Data Integration & ETL Development
  • Design and implement ETL pipelines using NATO authorised tools (e.g. SQL Server 2014+, KNIME, Oracle Data Integrator or Java…) as appropriate, ensuring compliance with NATO data-classification and retention rules.
  • Produce complex SQL queries for accurate data extraction, transformation, and loading.
• 1.8 Power BI Visualization & Dashboard Delivery
  • Build and maintain interactive Power BI dashboards, reports, and data models to support enterprise reporting needs.
  • Prototype dashboards shall be validated and signed off by the designated Business Product Owner.
  • For the assignment in scope of the project/service for this RFQ, the aim is to empower the Power Users to build/deploy their own dashboards. And focus will be on platform provisioning and supporting the users in their endeavour.
• 1.9 Contribution to BI Architecture & Standards
  • Contribute to the creation and maintenance of the documentation of relevant architectural artefacts, data modelling and coding guidelines, standards and best practices.
  • Contribute to the creation and maintenance of relevant Standard Operating Procedures
• 1.10 Knowledge Transfer & End-User Training
  • Develop and deliver a Knowledge-Transfer Plan & Schedule for NBAC staff, including end- user training sessions (both remote and in-person).
  • Provide clear training materials, deliver class-room and/or virtual training classes and maintain attendance records
  • Provide ad-hoc technical mentoring to Power Users as part of the Service.
• 1.11 Documentation & Handover Assurance
  • Deliver complete and accurate documentation of platform administration, operational processes, and support procedures.
  • Training shall culminate in a live walkthrough where NBAC staff demonstrate independent execution of administration tasks.

Essential Skills, Experience and Certifications

• All Contractor personnel delivering services on the contract must hold a NATO SECRET Security Clearance.
• At least 5 years of proven, recent and relevant experience as a consultant on large
• implementation projects of business application, with a strong understanding of Power BI and DWH architecture, components, functionalities and Oracle and Microsoft Databases.
• At least 5 years of proven knowledge and experience of installation, configuring, administering, troubleshooting and maintaining Power BI Reports Server.
• At least 5 years of proven working experience in MS SQL Server (2014 and higher) and or Oracle databases
• Prior experience of working in Agile development methodologies.
• Experience developing complex SQL queries and ETL.
• Data Modelling and Design. Proficient in designing normalized and denormalized data models, star/snowflake schemas.
• In depth knowledge and extensive experience with Power BI, including data modelling, DAX, and dashboard design.
• Proven work experience of Level 2 and Level 3 support—including incident, problem, change, and service request fulfilment—using ITIL processes and service-management tooling.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to analyse complex data sets.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to document work done.

 Desirable Skills, Experience and Certifications

• Configure PBI Server to work with claims based ADFS authentication
• Knowledge of KNIME Analytics Platform.
• Experience in developing in Java.
• Prior experience of working in an international environment comprising both military and civilian elements.
• Knowledge of NATO responsibilities and organization, including ACO and ACT.

Language

• Full proficiency in the English language

Working Location

• Braine-l’Alleud, Belgium

Working Policy

• Onsite

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance