Special Operations Forces (SOF) 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:

• Reports to Chief OPFOR SOF cell
• Support Incident Development to ensure storylines are developed with appropriate level of SOF effects
• Conduct OPFOR SOF actions development in the Joint Exercise Management Module (JEMM) effects are designed in accordance with the overall OPFOR Joint Plan (OJP) and Scheme of Manoeuver (SoM).
• Script OPFOR SOF content, including in JEMM, as required and edit submitted OPFOR SOF content to ensure it is delivered in accordance with the OPFOR Joint Plan and SoM.
• Provide SOF expertise to (OPFOR) scripters as required.
• Actively support assigned workshop syndicate(s) by contributing OPFOR SOF expertise.
• Specifically ensure wider understanding of OPFOR SOF implications within events, incidents, storylines and themes and identify opportunities for OPFOR SOF effects to further develop during later Scripting workshop.
• Perform other OPFOR tasks as directed by Chief OPFOR SOF cell.
• Attend Incident Development boards, working groups and other meetings as directed by Chief OPFOR SOF 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 de-conflict with other OPFOR cells and other EXCON cells as required.
• Contribute to the OPFOR Joint Plan from a SOF domain perspective.
• Support coordination of CAX (Computer Assisted Exercise) and Joint Theatre Level Simulation (JTLS) requirements for OPFOR SOF forces and manoeuvres as directed by Chief OPFOR SOF cell.
• Support Training Audience (TA) SOF in achievement of SOF specific Training Objectives (TO)

Scripting Workshop:

• Support MEL/MIL Scripting, including JEMM translating direction and guidance from Chief OPFOR SOF into a deliverable plan
• Conduct OPFOR SOF scripting development, including JEMM and ensure that OPFOR SOF effects are designed in accordance with the overall OPFOR Joint Plan and SoM in support of achievement of TO.
• Coordinate with other OPFOR cells in order to identify and create required OPFOR SOF content, including in JEMM, to support storylines across all functional areas.
• Advice (other) scripting syndicates on OPFOR SOF implications related to incidents, injects, and develop opportunities for OPFOR SOF effects.
• Develop associated OPFOR SOF action placeholders in JEMM to supplement storyboards, incidents and injects as required.
• Ensure that all OPFOR SOF actions in JEMM synchronize with operational /strategic level effects.
• Synchronize OPFOR SOF actions in JEMM across the overall exercise battle rhythm.
• Perform other OPFOR SOF tasks as directed by Chief OPFOR SOF cell.
• Attend Scripting Workshop boards, working groups and other meetings as directed by Chief OPFOR SOF 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.
• Contribute to the OPFOR Joint Plan from a SOF domain perspective.
• Support coordination of CAX (Computer Assisted Exercise) and Joint Theatre Level Simulation (JTLS) requirements for OPFOR SOF forces and manoeuvres.
• Support Training Audience (TA) SOF in achievement of SOF specific Training Objectives (TO).

Execution (Block E):

• Prior to STARTEX, review JEMM database to ensure that OPFOR SOF 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
• Take regular direction and guidance (D&G) from Chief OPFOR SOF cell on dynamic changes and translate this D&G into timely OPFOR SOF effects.
• Appointed within the OPFOR SOF 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 SOF operations and effects are accurate and aligned with the OPFOR Joint Plan and SoM.
• Coordinate daily with Chief OPFOR SOF cell to support timely alignment with the latest OPFOR developments.
• Provide daily OPFOR SOF feedback to Chief OPFOR SOF cell.
• Be prepared to dynamically develop, in JEMM, OPFOR SOF content as required by the MEL/MIL, TA activity and CHIEF SOF cell D & G.
• Perform other OPFOR SOF tasks as directed by Chief OPFOR SOF cell.
• Attend Block E EXCON boards, working groups, VTCs, TELECONS and other meetings as directed by Chief OPFOR SOF 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 SOF issues at the daily OPFOR huddle.
• Supports Training Audience (TA) SOF portion in achievement of SOF specific Training Objectives (TO)
• 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 OF2/OF3/OF4 (or civilian equivalent).
• 3 years military or civilian experience as a OF2-OF4 (or civilian equivalent) in one of the following positions:
  • 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 1* HQ or higher
• Competent and Qualified in Link Analysis databases and software applications including ‘I-Base’ and ‘I2’
• Working knowledge of SOF/Hybrid threats at the strategic level. (Operational level may be accepted as a REDLINE candidate).
• Experience of the NATO or national operational planning processes in respect of SOF operations.
• Previous NATO assignment or deployment to a NATO operation or NATO fleet in the operational SOF field domain within one of the following domains: J2, J3, J5.
• Competent in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Education

• Higher level Civilian, Military or Staff College Education/Degree relevant in Intelligence, Law, or International Affairs related subject 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