Cyber Subject Matter Expert (SME)

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, MEL/MIL Workshops and Block E - Execution Phase:

• Take part in/contribute to OPFOR CYBER incident and storyline development of OPFOR CYBER effects in the Joint Exercise Management Module (JEMM) and develop OPFOR CYBER effects at appropriate level and in accordance with and the overall OPFOR Joint Plan (OJP) and Scheme of Manoeuvre (SoM).
• Ensure that all OPFOR CYBER incidents and injects in JEMM are focused on strategic and operational level effects (not tactical).
• Support MEL/MIL Scripting, including JEMM, translating guidance from OPFOR command cell and OPFOR J35 into a deliverable plan and overseeing OPFOR CYBER operations across all Events, Incidents and Injects.
• Actively support and advise assigned MEL/MIL workshop syndicate(s) on OPFOR CYBER implications related to incidents and injects and develop opportunities for OPFOR CYBER effects by contributing OPFOR CYBER expertise.
• Specifically ensure wider understanding of OPFOR CYBER implications within events, incidents, storylines and themes and identify opportunities for OPFOR CYBER effects to be further developed and explored ICCW other Response Cells.
• Coordinate, synchronize and de-conflict OPFOR CYBER injects in JEMM across the overall exercise battle rhythm with other OPFOR cells and other EXCON cells as required.
• Specifically coordinate with EXCON CYBER Response Cell (RC) as required.
• Contribute to the OPFOR Operational Design from a CYBER domain perspective.
• Advise OPFOR command cell and OPFOR J35 in cyber warfare.
• Brief the OPFOR CYBER team on the cyberspace package (i.e. Cyber threat actors, their TTPs etc.) as required.
• Attend boards, working groups, syndicates and other meetings as directed by OPFOR command cell and OPFOR J35.
• 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 CAX (Computer Assisted Exercise) and Joint Theatre Level Simulation (JTLS) requirements for OPFOR CYBER actions.
• Perform other OPFOR CYBER tasks as directed by the OPFOR command cell OPFOR J35.

Execution (Block E):

• Collaborate daily with OPFOR command cell and OPFOR J35 to ensure timely alignment with the latest OPFOR developments as directed by the OPFOR command cell and OPFOR J35.
• Assist with the preparation of OPFOR FRAGOs.
• Provide daily OPFOR CYBER feedback and updates to the OPFOR command cell and OPFOR J35 as required. BPT brief specific OPFOR CYBER issues at the daily OPFOR Huddle
• Provide support to EXCON Targeting (TGTs) cell for Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) reporting.
• Be prepared to dynamically script, in JEMM, OPFOR CYBER content as required by the MEL/MIL, TA activity, OPFOR command cell and OPFOR J35 D&G.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Minimum 4 years previous military experience within the last 12 years in the operational CYBER domain, reaching the rank of OF3/OF4 (suitably experienced OF2/OR7+ considered by exception based on expertise and relevant staff experience)
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of NATO’s CYBERSPACE operations Operational Planning Procedures and Processes
• Experience of NATO or National Operational Exercises

Education

• Higher-level Civilian, Military or Staff College Education/Degree or advanced military course relevant to cybersecurity, computer science or a similar discipline

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