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 Joint Warfare Centre (JWC) is a NATO establishment focused on improving the Alliance's operational capabilities through training and exercises. Located in Stavanger, Norway, the JWC plays a critical role in preparing NATO forces for future challenges by:

• Training and Exercises
  • Conducting large-scale, joint operational-level training events, simulations, and exercises to enhance interoperability among NATO member nations.
• Doctrine Development
  • Contributing to the development and refinement of NATO doctrines and concepts by providing feedback and insights from exercises and training activities.
• Operational Support
  • Offering expert support to NATO operations, missions, and exercises, ensuring that lessons learned are integrated into future training and planning.

 The JWC supports NATO's overall strategic objectives by ensuring that its forces are well-prepared and capable of responding to various global threats and challenges.

The program 

To deliver each full exercise cycle the JWC relies heavily on an Exercise Control (EXCON) structure. EXCON staff members are drawn from several backgrounds and units including JWC staff, NATO component commands, Training Audience (TA) Headquarters, Partner Nations and other augmenters’ positions. EXCON has both direction and control functions which allow it to establish the conditions needed by the TA to achieve the exercise aim and objectives. EXCON size and structure is flexible and is shaped to the requirement of each phase of exercise delivery. When it is not possible to fill a position from military sources, the JWC has the option to source a contractor to fill a position. Not all contracted positions are required for each phase of each exercise.

Role Background

Opposition Force (OPFOR) SMEs simulate, coordinate and arrange all opposing actors during exercise execution. OPFOR SMEs ensure that OPFOR force composition, Joint Plan and Scheme of Manoeuvre are realistic and additionally mimic anticipated actions of an opposing force. OPFOR SMEs directly coordinate OPFOR concepts of operations to challenge allied-partner nation actions (BLUFOR) and associated major maritime, air and land formations, campaigns and decision making. OPFOR cells sit side-by-side with other functional areas in the scripting of content, to include JEMM and as required during execution, coordinate with EXCON RCs, to edit and adjust content to help guarantee maximum training value and pathway to achieve exercise-training objectives (TOs). OPFOR needs to ensure they understand BLUFOR plans and act accordingly and be prepared to dynamically scrip.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

Incident Development Workshop:

• Support Incident Development to develop storylines with appropriate level of NON LINEAR effects including the establishment of Threat Networks.
• Conduct OPFOR NON-LINEAR incident development in the Joint Exercise Management Module (JEMM) and Link Analysis software and ensure OPFOR NON LINEAR effects are designed in accordance with the overall OPFOR Joint Plan (OJP) and Scheme of Manoeuvre (SoM).
• Script OPFOR NON-LINEAR content, including in JEMM, as required and edit submitted OPFOR NON-LINEAR content to ensure it is delivered in accordance with the OPFOR Joint Plan and SoM.
• Provide NON-LINEAR expertise to OPFOR scripters as required.
• Report to Chief OPFOR NON-LINEAR cell.
• Actively support assigned workshop syndicate(s) by contributing OPFOR NON LINEAR expertise.
• Specifically ensure wider understanding of OPFOR NON-LINEAR implications within events, incidents, storylines and themes and identify opportunities for OPFOR NON LINEAR effects to further develop during later Scripting workshop.
• Perform other OPFOR NON_LINEAR tasks as directed by Chief OPFOR NON LINEAR cell.
• Attend Incident Development boards, working groups and other meetings as directed by Chief OPFOR NON-LINEAR cell.
• Be prepared to attend OPFOR Crisis Action Team (CAT) activation at short notice or no notice in order support resolution of a critical exercise related issue.
• Coordinate and deconflict with other OPFOR cells and other EXCON cells daily during execution. .
• Contribute to the OPFOR Joint Plan from a NON-LINEAR domain perspective.
• Support coordination of CAX (Computer Assisted Exercise) and Joint Theatre Level Simulation (JTLS) requirements for OPFOR NON-LINEAR forces and manoeuvres as directed by Chief OPFOR NON-LINEAR cell.

Scripting Workshop:

• Support MEL/MIL Scripting, including JEMM and Link Analysis software translating guidance from Chief OPFOR NON-LINEAR into a deliverable plan and the establishment of Threat Networks.
• Conduct OPFOR NON-LINEAR scripting development, including JEMM and ensure that OPFOR NON-LINEAR effects are designed in accordance with the overall OPFOR Joint Plan and SoM in accordance with D & G given by Chief OPFOR NON LINEAR cell.
• Coordinate with other OPFOR cells in order to identify and create required OPFOR NON-LINEAR content, including in JEMM and Link-Analysis, to support storylines across all functional areas.
• Advise scripting syndicates on OPFOR NON-LINEAR implications related to incidents and injects and develop opportunities for OPFOR NON-LINEAR effects.
• Develop associated OPFOR NON-LINEAR inject placeholders in JEMM to supplement storyboards, incidents and injects as required.
• Ensure that all OPFOR NON-LINEAR incidents and injects in JEMM are focussed on operational level effects (not tactical).
• Synchronize OPFOR NON-LINEAR injects in JEMM across the overall exercise battle rhythm.
• Perform other OPFOR NON-LINEAR tasks as directed by Chief OPFOR NON LINEAR cell.
• Attend Scripting Workshop boards, working groups and other meetings as directed by Chief OPFOR NON-LINEAR cell.
• Be prepared to attend OPFOR Crisis Action Team (CAT) activation at short notice or no notice in order support resolution of a critical exercise related issue.
• Coordinate, daily, with other EXCON RCs during execution
• Contribute to the OPFOR Joint Plan from a NON-LINEAR domain perspective.
• Support coordination of CAX (Computer Assisted Exercise) and Joint Theatre Level Simulation (JTLS) requirements for OPFOR NON-LINEAR forces and manoeuvres.

Execution (Block E):

• Prior to STARTEX, review JEMM database and Link Analysis data to ensure that OPFOR NON-LINEAR effects and influence for each storyline is complete and aligned with the OPFOR Joint Plan and OPFOR SoM.
• Analyse and be prepared to dynamically script amendments to OPFOR Threat Networks using Link Analysis software.
• Take regular direction and guidance (D&G) from Chief OPFOR NON-LINEAR cell on dynamic changes and translate this D&G into timely OPFOR NON-LINEAR effects.
• Appointed within the OPFOR NON-LINEAR cell.
• Coordinate as required with other EXCON staff from OPFOR, CAX, Intel, LOCON RCs, TGTS, SOF and others as necessary to ensure that the OPFOR NON-LINEAR operations and effects are accurate and aligned with the OPFOR Joint Plan and SoM.
• Coordinate daily with Chief OPFOR NON-LINEAR cell to support timely alignment with the latest OPFOR developments.
• Provide daily OPFOR NON-LINEAR feedback to Chief OPFOR NON-LINEAR cell.
• Be prepared to dynamically script, in JEMM, OPFOR NON-LINEAR content as required by the MEL/MIL, TA activity and CHIEF OPFOR NON-LINEAR cell D & G.
• Perform other OPFOR NON-LINEAR tasks as directed by Chief OPFOR NON LINEAR cell.
• Attend Block 3 EXCON boards, working groups, VTCs, TELECONS and other meetings as directed by Chief OPFOR NON-LINEAR cell.
• Be prepared to attend OPFOR Crisis Action Team (CAT) activation at short notice or no notice in order support resolution of a critical exercise related issue.
• Coordinate, as required, with other EXCON RCs.
• BPT brief specific OPFOR NON-LINEAR issues at the daily OPFOR Huddle.
• Provide support to EXCON Targeting (TGTs) cell for Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) reporting if required.
• Assist with the preparation of OPFOR FRAGOs.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Minimum 8 years previous military or civilian experience within the last 12 years in the OPERATIONAL INTELLIGENCE or SPECIAL FORCES domain reaching the rank of OF3/OF4 (or civilian equivalent).
• 3 years military or civilian experience as a OF3-OF4 (or civilian equivalent) in one of the following positions:
  • Senior Field Agent
  • Supervisory Special Agent
  • Special Agent in Charge
  • Senior Case Officer
  • Senior Analyst in a NATO or national Military or Civilian Intelligence or Security Police Agency or NATO or national Special Forces domain equivalent to a 2* HQ or higher
• Competent and Qualified in Link Analysis databases and software applications including ‘I-Base’ and ‘I2
• Working knowledge of Hybrid threats at the operational or strategic level.
• Competent in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Education

• Higher-level Civilian, Military or Staff College Education/Degree relevant to Intelligence, Law or International Affairs or related subjects and/or 8 years previous military or civilian experience in the Operational Intelligence or Special Forces domain

Language

• Business English

Working Location

• Stavanger, Norway

Working Policy

• On-Site

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance