2025-0308 Release and Deployment Manager (NS) - MON 13 Oct

EMW, Inc.; Henegouwen; Sur place; EUR 50 000 - 70 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading IT consultancy is seeking a Release and Deployment Manager in Mons, Belgium, responsible for managing software releases and ensuring integrity during transitions to the NATO Public Cloud. Candidates should have a minimum of 2 years in Release Management, strong problem-solving skills, and NATO SECRET security clearance. This full-time role is fully on-site and offers the opportunity to work within the NATO framework.

Qualifications

• Strong troubleshooting skills to diagnose and resolve issues.
• Ability to guide users through problem-solving steps effectively.
• Proficient in using Power Automate to create workflows.

Responsabilités

• Manage and schedule release testing with development teams.
• Ensure the integrity of the live environment is protected.
• Attend weekly governance board meetings and provide expert support.

Connaissances

Problem-solving skills

PowerShell scripting

Excellent communication

Customer service orientation

Organizational skills

Formation

Minimum 2 years practical experience in Release and Deployment

IT Change Manager – minimum 2 years

Full proficiency in English

Outils

ITSM Tooling

Description du poste

Deadline Date: Monday 13 October 2025

Requirement: Release and Deployment Manager

Location: Mons, BE

Full Time On-Site: Yes

Time On-Site: 100%

Period of Performance: BASE period: as soon as possible but not later than 17th November 2025 until 31 December 2025 with possibility to exercise the following options:

• 2026 option: from 01 JAN 2026 to 31 DEC 2026
• 2027 option: from 01 JAN 2027 to 31 DEC 2027
• 2028 option: from 01 JAN 2028 to 31 DEC 2028

Required Security Clearance: NATO SECRET

Introduction

This effort will take place within the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency), an organization of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

The PAN Migration to NATO Public Cloud project is organized under the NCI Agency Cloud Portfolio. The project aims to transition roughly 15.000 staff within the NATO Enterprise from the on-premises Public Access Network (PAN) to the NATO Public Cloud (NPCL). At the time of this engagement, the first major site (Norfolk VA, USA) will have transitioned and the project will continue to transition an additional 18 sites across various locations in the alliance.

Migration Support

One of the core objectives of the project is to ensure new and updated software products are approved for use inside NCIA owned networks through the NCIA Release and Deployment process. Under the direction of the NCIA Service Management Change Control Authority (SMC CCA) the Consultant Release and Deployment Manager will focus on managing, planning and scheduling Release testing with the Testing teams for Software Changes ensuring controlled coordination of deployment from test through to the live environment is in place. As well as ensuring the integrity of the live environment is protected.

Objectives

The NCI Agency is embracing cloud services by transitioning to Microsoft 365 with a security-centric design. This shift aims to enhance operational efficiency, collaboration, and security across the organization. We are looking for individuals with strong knowledge, a willingness to learn, and a desire to grow as part of this new challenge.

The main objectives of this statement of work can be summarized as follows:

Provide Release and Deployment expertise:

• In line with the NCIA Release and Deployment (RDM) SOP verify all products submitted for A2SL approval meets the approval criteria.
• Manage all change request/tasks within the ITSM system assigned to RDM
• Process all Emergency request within the agreed timelines as per the Change Management (ChM) SOP.
• In line with the RDM SOP verify successful products for consideration on the weekly Release Governance Board (RGB).
• Working with the RDM Lead support in identifying product prioritisation for testing.
• In line with the ChM and RDM SOP review applications for deployment to the Agency networks and submitted to the Enterprise Change Advisory Board (ECAB) for approval to deploy.
• Attend the weekly RGB to provide SME on products for review.
• Provide RDM SME support to the weekly Enterprise CAB.
• Attend the relevant Distributed Change Advisory Board to provide RDM SME support.
• Monitor products identified for testing through the testing cycles.
• Review Testing outputs for consideration for approval or rejection to the A2SL. Working with the testing teams ensure full documentation of any finding/outputs to support safe deployment to the networks.
• Document and track any Risk Acceptance request from submission to conclusion.
• Carry out post implementation reviews and document finding for future reference.

Scope of Work

Under the direction / guidance of the Release & Deployment Team permanent staff, the consultant Release and Deployment Manager will execute their assigned responsibilities in accordance with documented processes.

1) Release and Deployment Lifecycle Support

Provide support to the Service Delivery Managers, Project Managers on how to coordinate and communicate software releases and to the System Managers on how to plan the releases according to the given process or procedure.

• Assesses and analyses release components for input to release scheduling.
• Maintains and administers tools and methods for software delivery, deployment and configuration.
• Maintains release processes and procedures.
• Carry out all assigned ITSM tasks related to the RDM processes.
• Validate and track any requests identified for testing through the testing cycle.
• Process emergency requests issued by ChM within three working days of submission.
• Provide a weekly report for consideration by the RGB.
• Provide weekly report to the Enterprise CAB for request for deployment.
• Provide weekly reporting on Risk Acceptance request and outputs.

2. Sprint Planning:

Objective: Plan the objectives for the upcoming sprint

Kick-off meeting: Conduct a monthly meeting with the contractor to plan the objectives of upcoming sprints and review contractor`s manpower to meet the agreed deliverables.

Set sprint goals: Define clear, achievable goals for the sprint and associated acceptance criteria, including specific delivery targets, Quality standards as well as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each task to be recorded in the sprint meeting minutes.

Agree on the required level of effort for the various sprint tasks.

Backlog Review: Review and prioritise the backlog of tasks, issues, and improvements from previous sprints.

Assess each payment milestone cycle duration of one calendar month. State of completion and validation of each sprint status and sign off sprints to be submitted for payment as covered in Section 4.

3. Sprint Execution

Objective: Contractor to execute the agreed “sprint plans” with continuous monitoring and adjustments.

Regular meetings between NCIA and the contractor to review sprint progress, address issues, and make necessary adjustments to the processes or production methodology. The Meetings will be physically in the office, or in person via electronic means using Conference Call capabilities, according to the NCI Agency staff instructions.

Continuous improvement: Contractor to establish a continuous feedback loop to gather input from all stakeholders for ongoing improvements and their subsequent implementation depending on NCIA approval.

Progress Tracking: Contractor to use a shared dashboard or tool to track the status of the sprint deliveries and any issues.

Quality Assurance/Quality Check: Contractor shall ensure that the quality standards agreed for the sprint deliverables are maintained throughout the sprint.

Quality Control: NCIA to perform the Final Quality Control of the agreed deliverables and provide feedback on any issues.

4. Sprint Review

Objective: Review the sprint performance and identify areas for improvement.

At the end of each sprint, there will be a meeting between the NCI Agency and the Contractor to review the outcomes against the acceptance criteria comprising sprint goals, agreed quality criteria and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

Define specific actions to address issues and enhance the next sprint.

5. Sprint Payment

For each sprint to be considered as complete and payable, the contractor must report the outcome of their work during the sprint, first verbally during the retrospective sprint review meeting and then in writing within three days after the sprint’s end date. A report must be sent by email to the NCI Agency manager, highlighting all work performed against the agreed tasking list set for the sprint.

The contractor's payment for each sprint will be dependent upon the achievement of agreed Acceptance Criteria for each task, defined at the sprint planning stage. This will include specific delivery targets, quality standards as well as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each task.

The payment shall be dependent upon successful acceptance as set in the above planning/review meetings. This will follow the payment milestones that shall include a completed Delivery Acceptance Sheet (DAS) including the EBA Receipt number

Invoices shall be accompanied with a Delivery Acceptance Sheet (DAS) signed by the Contractor and project authority.

If the contractor fails to meet the agreed Acceptance criteria for any task, the NCI Agency reserves the right to withhold payment for that task/sprint.

Each sprint has a duration of one week. The content and scope of each sprint will be agreed during the sprint planning meetings as covered in this section.

4 Deliverables and Payment Milestones

The following deliverables are expected from this statement of work:

1. Complete the activities/tasks agreed in each sprint meeting as per sections 2 and 3 above.

2. Produce sprint completion reports (format: e-mail update) or the formal documentation required per specific task;

3. The Contractor will participate in the daily reporting and planning activities (daily stand-ups) as well as the required participation in workshops, events and conferences related to the supported services, as requested by the Cloud Operations Manager / Implementation Manager.

2025 BASE: 17 November 2025 to 31 December 2025:

Deliverable: 5 sprints of Implementation support (Number of sprints is estimated and will be adjusted based on actual starting date.)

Payment Milestones: Upon completion of each fourth sprint and at the end of the service.

Completion of each milestone shall be accompanied documented in Delivery Acceptance Sheet (DAS) – (Annex B), signed for acceptance by the Purchaser’s authorized point of contact and the Contractor

The payment shall be dependent upon successful acceptance of the Delivery Acceptance Sheet (DAS) – (Annex B).

Invoices shall be accompanied with a DAS, signed by the Contractor and Purchaser’s authority

2026, 2027 and 2028 OPTION: from 01 JAN to 31 DEC

Deliverable: Up to 46 sprints

Cost Ceiling: Price will be determined by applying the price adjustment formula as outlined in CO-115786- AAS+ Special Provisions article 6.5.

Payment Milestones: Upon completion of each fourth sprint and at the end of the service.

Coordination and Reporting

The contractors shall participate in weekly and/or daily status update meetings, activity planning and other meetings as instructed, physically in the office, or in person via electronic means using Conference Call capabilities, according to the project manager or implementation manager instructions.

For each sprint to be considered as complete and payable, the contractor must report the outcome of the service during the sprint for each individual. The format of this report shall be a short email to the NCIA Point of Contact mentioning briefly the service held and the development achievements during the sprint.

Schedule

This task order will be active immediately after signing of the contract by both parties

The BASE period of performance is as soon as possible but not later than 17th November 2025 and ending no later than 31st December 2025.

If the 2026, 2027 and 2028 options are exercised, the period of performance is 01 JAN to 31 DEC of the respective year.

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

This is a deliverables-based contract.

The contractor will be required to provide the service 100% ON SITE, NCI AGENCY MONS

NCI Agency will provide access to relevant networks and resources as required by the project.

The work depicted in this SOW is expected to be carried by a single contractor.

In exceptional circumstances there may be a requirement to perform out-of-hours work to support emergency maintenance activities or delivery of critical services as well as to provide on-call support outside regular business hours, for these exceptional cases, the sprint price remains unchanged.

NCIA IT equipment will be provided (one NPCL laptop will be provided). This equipment can be used by one person only and associated to that individual.

The contractor will be required to provide the service on-site at Mons, BELGIUM as part of this engagement. There is no possibility to telework during this engagement – unless otherwise agreed with the project manager or implementation manager.

This individuals providing services under this RFQ will be part of the PAN Migration to NATO Public Cloud (NPCL) project.

Security

The security classification of the service will be up to NATO SECRET.

The contractor providing the services under this SOW is required to hold a valid NATO SECRET security clearance at the time of proposal submission.

Travel

Travel costs are out of scope and will be borne by the NCI Agency separately in accordance to the provisions of the AAS+ Framework Contract. He or she will work under the direction and guidance of the NCIA designated representative.

Travel arrangements should not be booked until there is a written confirmation from the NCIA designated representative.

Qualifications

This service requires the following qualifications:

1. Technical Proficiency:
2. Minimum 2 years practical experience in a Release and deployment function in a large IT setting.
3. IT Change Manager – minimum 2 years.
4. ITSM Tooling working experience with work orders and change requests – minimum 2 years.
5. Excellent working knowledge of IT Release and Deployment processes.
6. Good working knowledge of IT Change Management process.
7. AN Understanding of the work undertaken by the NATO Communications and Information Agency.

2) Problem-Solving Skills:

• Strong troubleshooting skills to diagnose and resolve hardware, software, and network issues.
• Ability to guide users through problem-solving steps effectively.

3) Automation Skills:

• Experience with PowerShell scripting to automate routine support tasks.
• Proficiency in using Power Automate to create workflows and automate repetitive processes.
• Ability to identify and implement automation opportunities to enhance efficiency.

4) Communication and Interpersonal Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Full proficiency in English.
• Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical users in a clear and concise manner.

5) Customer Service Orientation:

• Strong customer service focus with a commitment to user satisfaction.
• Patience and empathy when dealing with user issues and concerns.

6) Organizational Skills:

• Ability to manage multiple support tickets and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Attention to detail in documenting support activities and maintaining accurate records.

7) 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.

8) Others:

• The candidate 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.
• The candidate must have the nationality of one of the NATO nations.
• The candidate must possess a NATO Secret Security Clearance or national equivalent that can be transferred to a NATO Secret Security Clearance.

This role is critical for maintaining efficient IT support operations, ensuring users receive timely and effective assistance with their devices and Microsoft 365 services. If you are a motivated technician with strong problem-solving skills, full proficiency in English, and a passion for customer service.