Online Media Content Manager

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

The Online Media Content Manager directly supports the media simulation mission by creating and managing all online and strategic social media content based on daily D&G from Chief, Media. This is a leadership position requiring oversight of up to 20 Media Simulation role-players and social media scripters.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

Planning Stage:

• Analyse exercise and scenario documentation to determine specific online media requirements to support exercise media play.
• Identify and develop simulated mainstream and OPFOR media outlets and journalists to support Chief Media’s plan for the exercise media landscape including background data, biographical data, metadata and logos.
• Identify media content requirements against scenario documents, including Road to Crisis, CSUs, OPFOR Campaign Plan, TA plans, strategic documentation and other sources as necessary.
• Script online and social media content for each outlet/journalist as required by Chief Media’s exercise content plan.
• Collaborate with Chief Media and OPFOR StratCom to develop analytics plan to supplement online content in support of TA processes.
• Develop and update Strategic Narrative Alignment Plan (SNAP) matrix to ensure all EXCON stakeholder and influencer narratives are synchronized.

Scripting Events:

• Support Incident Development Conference to ensure wide understanding of media implications within events, incidents, storylines and themes and identify opportunities for information effects to further develop during scripting.
• Support MEL/MIL Scripting Conference, translating guidance from Media and OPFOR into a deliverable plan and overseeing design of online content framework across all events.
• Oversee online media script development and ensure OPFOR and mainstream media effects are designed in accordance with the media lifecycle and in line with the Media and OPFOR exercise plans.
• Draft online news media content and copy edit submitted online content from others to ensure it is delivered in accordance with established standards for NewsWeb distribution.
• Provide guidance to online scripters.

Execution (Block E):

• Prior to STARTEX, review JEMM database to ensure media framework for each storyline is complete and in line with established standards for NewsWeb distribution with appropriate social media support.
• Update analytics package with expected sentiment estimates and make adjustments as required and in line with Chief Media’s guidance, and post analytics periodically throughout exercise according to agreed schedule.
• Manage media content in JEMM to ensure it is prepared in due course, posted to scheduled deadlines, and updated to accommodate dynamic changes.
• ICCW Media Inject Manager, post content from JEMM onto NewsWeb and Chatter; add imagery, memes, and other graphics as required.
• Take regular guidance from Chief Media and OPFOR team on dynamic changes and translate guidance into timely media content.
• Coordinate as required with other subject matter experts from CAX, Intel, HICON, LOCON, and others necessary to ensure media content is accurate and relevant.
• Collaborate daily with Chief Media to develop/adjust strategic hashtags, troll and botnet activity as required to support upcoming exercise play.
• Provide daily and continuing guidance to media role players and scripters to ensure dynamic changes are reflected in online and social media content.
• Provide daily analytics and feedback to Chief Media on exercise media content production and consumption.
• Role-play as journalist when required, attending press conferences and conducting interviews.
• Attend/chair meetings as required to include boards, working groups, cell coordination, and Crisis Action Teams

Essential Skills and Experience

• 4 years (in last 10 years) of military StratCom experience (as a service member or civilian) including media relations work
• Journalism and/or academic writing experience within past 8 years for real-world and/or military exercise publications indicating understanding of journalism standards and practices including adherence to Associated Press or similar style guidelines
• Advanced working knowledge of Joint Exercise Management Module (JEMM) or a similar database management system including the ability to export content to MS Office to produce pivot tables and analytics.
• Working knowledge and experience in NATO military operational processes and exercises.
• Understanding of current military strategic communications practices and policies
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• They must provide a link to an online portfolio containing: 5 examples of journalism and/or published academic work

Education

• Higher Education/Degree equivalent to the master’s level in a communication related field plus 4 years relevant experience or a university bachelor’s degree in a communication related field plus 8 years relevant experience

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