Job description
Spektrum have a wide range of exciting opportunities in several global locations.
We are always looking to add great new talent to our team and look forward to hearing from you.
Role.
The focus of the Cost Analyst will be supporting business change that will have strategic impact through the analysis of cost. The contractor will be required to work across various stakeholders to meet CAP CIS objectives including NATO Headquarters bodies such as the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) and NATO Office of Resources (NOR). The breadth includes direct support of the CS Capability Area and, as necessary, other areas of CAP CIS. The Cost Analyst will generate credible, defendable, repeatable, data driven lifecycle cost estimates. The Q64 Operational Effectiveness Analyst will be equally instrumental in this work in order to bring together coherent and robust Analysis of Alternatives (AOA) submissions. The work will be critical to the broader effort to implement NATO's Digital Backbone ensuring coherence of the CS Capability Area across the large number of capability areas and programmes that will constitute the Backbone.
Principal Duties.
Core Services are foundational and provides the 'platform' for many capabilities. The collection and analysing of financial information related to the CS Programme will improve accuracy of budgets and cost forecasts of assigned projects. The advent of NATO's Digital Backbone and Digital Transformation ambition is a significant driver for detailed financial analysis and reports of expenses, including breakdowns of projected costs, forecast of remaining expenses, and opportunities to increase efficiency. Given the complexity of NATO's processes and structures plus the complex nature of the CS Capability Area (particularly with the possibility of public cloud prevision), a dedicated SME is required to undertake cost analysis.
This level of effort (labour) requirement will harness and combine the knowledge of a functional Cost SME (possessing a secondary skillset of Digital Transformation) with a deep understanding of the NATO Core Services Capability Area, in order to build robust cost analysis products. Absence of robust cost analysis results in poor alignment of capability delivery and the management of risk.
The Q63 Cost Analyst will work within the CAP CIS Core Services team reporting to the CS Programme Director (who will also act as Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR)). In functional terms, the Analyst will take advice and guidance from CAP DEV AOA Branch Head (or his appointed representative). The Q64 Operational Effectiveness Analyst will work under the same arrangement. Together (Q63 & Q64), this support is required to ensure that a solid base of specialist and corporate knowledge is available covering the extensive processes and procedures within the CS area. The contractor will contribute to the development of Capability including the NATO Digital Backbone through:
- Life-Cycle Cost (LCC) estimation for CAP CIS Programming artefacts including but not limited to Capability Requirements Briefs (CRBs) and Capability Programme Plans (CPPs).
- Development, documenting and presenting of cost and schedule tolerances for CRBs/CPPs.
- Collect, interpret, and analyse results of programme/project schedule and risk models integrating cost estimates and prepare reports and briefings on analysed results.
- Provide cost analysis to support the Operational Effectiveness (OE) submissions by AOA Branch (noting the Q64 Operational Effectiveness Support Analyst is directly contributing to this effort).
- Support the CPP process by contributing to Capability/Project Description Sheets, and cost/schedule/tolerance tables.
- Provide quality assurance reviews on industry provided cost/schedule/tolerance estimations.
- Support cost estimation policy, guidance and direction, standard operating procedure documentation creation.
- Monitor and report on spend rates for Material
- Calculate and analyse cost variance for Material
- Estimate future spending for Material
- Execution of workshops for cost data
- Generating and maintaining a Master Cost Data and Assumptions List (CDAL).
- Provide quantitative and qualitative analyses and recommendations to improve organizational performance through analysis of cost drivers changes and their impact on strategy, organization structure, process, human capital and culture, information technology, and management
- Undertake cost modelling and supply chain cost
- Prepare quarterly financial reports for CS PD (and Branch Head AOA) for inclusion in management dashboard reports.
- Assist in preparation of and participate in discussions, meetings and workshops as necessary, including but not limited to the taking of notes and Minutes, the preparation of materials, read ahead briefs, Point Papers, and the collection of reference documents and materials.
- Provide a weekly 1-page report of reviews and analysis conducted, including issues identified and recommendations.
- Provide presentations and additional documents as required by CS
Special Requirements and Additional Duties.
- Types of Deliverable – Life Cycle Cost (LCC) Estimation LCC reports will include:
- Basic definitions, ground rules, boundaries and assumptions used in cost estimation process.
- Models and methods adopted for costs
- Cost Breakdown Structure: DOTMLPFI costs elements
- Identification of the cost drivers, in particular those that differentiate
- Risk and uncertainty assessment, including a set of risk
- Estimated LCC in a format consistent with the results of the estimation method used and with the risk and uncertainty assessment. The required form for presentation of estimate cost includes synthesis as a three-point estimate reflecting Baseline Estimate (Most likely), Optimistic Estimate, and Pessimistic Estimate with example risk scenarios mapped to each and the degree of confidence in
- Preparation and briefing/presentation of preliminary and final findings for assigned programming areas.
- Quality of Deliverable.
- It is expected that all deliverables are developed/delivered in high quality. Reporting deliverables should be produced at the graduate level, in English using the appropriate Microsoft Office Software program. Cost estimates (and their documentation) must comply with NATO STANREC 4755 and 4739, ensuring that they meet the following:
- The contractor must provide a sufficiently detailed audit trail, including documentation of cost data and assumptions list (CDAL) to enable a third party to independently replicate the cost estimates.
- Where 3rd party or bespoke models or tools are used the contractor must describe the justification for selecting or producing the tool(s), and demonstrate that the tool(s) have been reasonably verified as being free from errors.
- The contractor must provide justifiable rationale for the selection of the inputs to the proposed models: e.g. chosen analogies, parameter values, labour estimates, cost factors, assumptions, etc.
- The contractor must conduct risk/sensitivity analysis to assess the impact of uncertainty in input values used for the estimate.
- It is expected that all deliverables are developed/delivered in high quality. Reporting deliverables should be produced at the graduate level, in English using the appropriate Microsoft Office Software program. Cost estimates (and their documentation) must comply with NATO STANREC 4755 and 4739, ensuring that they meet the following:
Essential Qualifications.
- Cost Management.
- Experienced in the analytical skills, excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Comprehensive understanding of cost accounting principles and procedures. This involves cost analysis work spanning the development and implementation of business processes and change to meet identified business needs, acquiring and utilizing the necessary resources and skills, within agreed parameters of cost, timescale and quality.
- Skill Level.
- Defines, documents and carries out costing aspects within programmes and projects (typically greater than six months with strategic impact), in a diverse team environment, actively participating in all Agrees life-cycle cost estimation with stakeholders, and prepares the cost related inputs to plans (including input to budget, quality, risk and communications plans). Monitors costs, timescales and resources used, and takes action where any projects deviate from agreed tolerances.
- Experience
- Demonstrable experience in the analysis of cost of complex CIS/ICT programmes that deliver business change with strategic impact; experience greater than six-months in duration, in a diverse team environment, actively participating in all programmatic phases.
- Demonstrated excellent analytical, problem solving, verbal and written communication
- Demonstrated ability to work in team environments (both as a contributor and a leader).
- Education - University degree in accounting, finance or equivalent or closely related discipline or a Higher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 4 years' post-related
- Proficient as a minimum with Microsoft Office skills including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook.
- Experience with Visio and MS Project desirable not
- Demonstrated proficiency in English as defined in STANAG 6001 (Standardized Linguistic Profile (SLP) 3333 - Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing) or equivalent is
Desirable Qualifications.
- Demonstrable Programme or Project Management experience (Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) or Prince II preferred not essential).
- Experience working in NATO at the strategic level is highly desirable but not
- NATO CIS experience highly desirable but not
- Broad knowledge of CIS capabilities, Cyber Security and Innovation is desirable but not essential.
- Broad experience working with military/public at the strategic level is desirable but not essential.
- Masters level degree is desirable but not
We never know what new opportunities might be just over the horizon. If this opportunity isn't for you please feel free to send us your resume anyway and be the first to know if something suitable for your skills and experience comes up.
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