EXCON Special Advisor

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

Engagement as Short-Term Operational support for specific exercise events. A as Subject Matter Expert (SMEs) fulfilling one of the Exercise Play Functions (EPFs) as role players in the Exercise Control Organization (EXCON). Each exercise will have a unique combination of EPFs depending on the scenario and exercise design.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• Contribute Flag Officer/General Officer (FOGO) level experience of NATO Joint operational to JWC exercises.
• Employ detailed understanding and experience of NATO Exercise Planning Process (EPP as per Bi-SC 075-003) and Operational Planning Process (as per COPD) in preparation of NATO exercises.
• Provide FOGO level advice, guidance and assistance to JWC personnel and TA staffs to bridge Training Objectives into relevant and applicable Strategic, Operational and Tactical level challenges, into exercise content and play.
• Provide mentoring and professional development to JWC personnel in key EXCON positions to facilitate exercise delivery and synchronization of effects, command and control (thereby supporting consistency in exercise delivery).
• Assist EXCON/JWC personnel in analysing TA produced orders and documentation into measurable actions and effects. If required, suggest options to resolve discrepancies in orders or COAs to facilitate TA education.
• Provide understanding of multi-domain, full spectrum operations in all phases, scope and scale, in support of campaign synchronization.
• Engage, if required, with the Senior Mentors to coordinate JWC activity.
• Attend daily coordination meetings as dictated by the EXCON battle rhythm, providing SME advice as required.
• Undertake any other duties as discussed with the ODE/EXDIR and Chief EXCON as reasonably expected within the exercise.

Essential Skills and Experience

• 3 years of working experience within the last 10 years
  • In the field of Exercise Planning and Delivery to include project management experience within a complex and dynamic environment.
  • In briefing senior leaders/decision makers at the political level in a National or Multinational environment.
  • In a National or NATO Command in a military-political or strategic level.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of NATO’s
  • Multi-joint, full spectrum operations, both planning and execution, at operational, political-military and strategic levels.
  • Crisis Response Management System.
  • Strategic and Operational planning systems and processes.
  • Capability development process.
  • Training & Exercise doctrine, planning and execution.
  • New Force Model (NFM)
  • Deterrence and Defense of the EURO-Atlantic Area (DDA) and related SASP family of plan, SSPs and Real Plans (RPs)
• Demonstrate 3 years in the last 10 professional application of a recognized mentoring practitioner qualification.
• Candidates require OF-7 Command experience and the application of a mentor qualification in the previous 7 years. Candidates with the pre-requisite Command experience and mentor qualifications who have performed either a JWC advisor or NATO SM in the previous 5 years will be eligible for JWC special advisor positions.

Education

• Senior staff, or equivalent military or national Defence College Graduate

Language

• Business English

Working Location

• Stavanger, Norway
• Remote work may be requested on an ADHOC per requirement basis

Working Policy

• Each exercise support requirement is anticipated to be 5 to 15 working days per event
• On-Site, unless otherwise specified with up to 12-hour days
• If out of normal hours work is required, this will be requested on a per requirement basis

Travel

• Any associated travel costs to and from your home location to participate in the activity will be covered by Spektrum

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance