Operational Research and Analysis Expert

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 professional services, specialised aerospace and defence sales, delivery, and operational subject matter expertise.

About the role

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 provides services including:

• Cyber Security: advanced cybersecurity solutions to protect NATO's communication networks and information systems against cyber threats.
• Command and Control Systems: development and maintenance of systems used by NATO's military commanders to plan and execute operations.
• Satellite Communications: secure and reliable communications between NATO forces.
• Electronic Warfare: services to detect, deny, and defeat threats to NATO's communication networks.
• Information Management: management of NATO's information technology infrastructure, including databases, applications, and servers.

The Assistance and Advisory Service (AAS) program supports the NCI Agency in delivering critical C3 (Command, Control, Communications) capabilities and CIS (Communications and Information Systems) services. The NCI Agency workforce includes NATO International Civilians (NICs), Military (Mil), and Interim Workforce Consultants (IWCs), with IWCs making up approximately 15% of the total workforce.

Following the NATO Madrid Summit in June 2022, funding for NATO capability delivery programs has increased substantially from 2023-2030. This necessitates changes to NATO’s capability delivery model to meet the ambition set by member nations. The Operational Analysis Branch provides analysts to program teams to drive evidence-based decision-making in requirements derivation and programmatic planning.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to Course of Action (COA) analysis using Operations Research and Analysis techniques to mature NATO capability requirements and set programmatic direction.
• Research and establish qualitative and quantitative assessments of operational effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and risk-benefit studies.
• Interact with NATO and national research entities and industries to assess the impact of alternatives on operational effectiveness.
• Attend engagements with NATO, national organizations, and industry to ensure cost estimation activities provide appropriate quality outputs.
• Support the creation of Requests for Information to NATO Nations, Non-Governmental Organizations, and industry.
• Analyze the potential impact of identified risks and propose risk management strategies.
• Elicit, review, and assess schedule estimates to ensure quality and supporting evidence for decision-making.
• Review and assess cost estimates provided by others to ensure appropriate quality and supporting evidence.
• Analyze and document comparative assessments of cost, risk, schedule, and operational effectiveness to inform programmatic decisions.
• Produce decision briefs and presentations describing the rationale and justification for analytical outcomes, briefing decision-makers as needed.
• Produce written reports of analysis for review with the International Military Staff and International Staff in NATO Headquarters.
• Produce summary briefs of lessons identified or learned to support continuous improvement of NATO capability development and OA Branch skills.
• Travel to meetings and conferences within and outside NATO boundaries for up to 35 days per year.
• Perform additional tasks as required by the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) related to the LABOR.

Requirements

• Minimum two examples in the last 10 years (minimum 3 years duration) in military Operations Research, Operational Analysis, or Systems Analysis supporting policy development, capability development, or acquisition.
• With a relevant Bachelor’s degree, only 2 years in the last 5 must be in the fields listed above.
• Experience designing, leading, and facilitating workshops involving technical and non-technical stakeholders across multiple levels of seniority.
• Experience within the last 5 years determining Operational Analysis requirements, scoping problems, developing analysis plans, and delivering high-quality outputs influencing senior decision-makers.
• Experience with assessment frameworks, including setting Measures of Performance (MoPs) and Measures of Effectiveness (MoEs), KPIs, or analysis supporting programmatic benefits management.
• Experience gathering evidence and scoring effectiveness using analytical methods such as soft systems methods, war gaming, computer modeling, mathematical modeling, optimization techniques, and process mapping.
• Experience in risk identification, assessment, analysis, and management in project or program planning.
• Experience producing or working with cost estimates, including cost-estimating methodologies and tools.
• Experience within the last 10 years working in a strategic or operational military command or multinational environment.

Qualifications

A University or equivalent Bachelor’s degree in Operations Research, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, or an equivalent quantitative degree, or a subject focused on organizational or group decision-making. Alternatively, 5+ years of Operational Analysis / Operations Research experience conducting and leading analytical studies in a relevant military, strategic, political, or international environment.

Schedule

Onsite in Norfolk, VA, USA.

Requirements

• Valid National or NATO personal security clearance.
• Professional proficiency in English.