Deterrence Analyst

Spektrum have a wide range of exciting opportunities in several global locations.

We are always looking to add great new talent to our team and look forward to hearing from you.

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

Allied Command Transformation (ACT) is NATO's leading agent for change: driving, facilitating, and advocating the continuous improvement of Alliance capabilities to maintain and enhance the military relevance and effectiveness of the Alliance. The main objectives of ACT are: providing appropriate support to NATO missions and operations; leading NATO military transformation; and improving relationships, interaction and practical cooperation with partners, nations and international organisations. ACT therefore leads Alliance concept development, capability development, training and lessons-learned initiatives and provides unfettered military support to policy development within NATO.

The program

Capability Development & Management Support (CDMS)

DCOS Capability Development (CAPDEV) acts as the Supreme Allied Commander Transformation's Director for guidance, direction and coordination of the activities and resources of the Capability Development Directorate.

The Requirements Division will execute all tasks and activities needed to support requirements management for NATO capabilities

The Capability Requirements (CR) Branch will develop the Capability Requirements Brief and recommended courses of action to resolve issues through the life cycle management of requirements using matrixed, cross-functional project-specific Requirements Management teams.

The Requirements Forward Branch (Mons) is responsible for conducting requirements development and management representation and engagement-related functions in Europe.

The Capability Division coordinates the development of capabilities from capability planning through acceptance and then disposal with management entities, NATO Headquarters staff and the NATO Governance Structure

The Capability Forward Branch (Mons) coordinates with ACO, NCIA, NSPA, NATO HQ, territorial Host Nations, and NATO Centres of Excellence (COEs) to support the development of capabilities.

Strategic Plans and Policy (SPP) supports Allied Command Transformation in formalizing military advice to shape future military strategy, political guidance, and other policy documents supporting NATO's strategic objectives.

Role Background

ACT leads Alliance concept development, capability development, training and lessons learned initiatives and provides unfettered military support to policy development within NATO. The Strategic Plans and Policy (SPP) Directorate and the Deterrence Integrated Project Team is currently focused on the implementation of the NATO Warfighting Capstone Concept (NWCC) and in particular the Influence and Power Projection Warfare Development Imperatives' (WDI) Line of Delivery (LoD), Multi Domain Escalation Dynamics (MDED).
The NWCC is a 20-year vision for the development of NATO's Military Instrument of Power (MIoP). The NWCC, together with the Concept for Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area (DDA), implement NATO's Military Strategy. NATO Heads of State and Government committed to the full implementation of both concepts at their summit meeting in 2021. They comprise the military adaptation component of the broader NATO Agenda 2030. ACT is implementing appropriate elements of the NWCC through the Warfare Defence Agenda (WDA). The MDED LoD looks to guide the Alliance's approach to Deterrence through a set of 'risk informed, adversary informed' guiding principles, including examination of the nexus of the Military and Political Instrument of Power. Between 2022 to Dec 2024, the main focus has been the Four-Square Deterrence Study (4SQ), which utilised wargaming and academic research to provide evidence around which to develop the framework for a MDED Deterrence Principles Guide. The work in 2025 will be to operationalise the study and develop the framework in order to produce the MDED Deterrence Principles Guide, a document which will inform strategic decision making. Throughout 2025 work will be required to identify and develop an Alliance wide, Deterrence Community of Interest (DCoI) to better cohere the deterrence work of the various NATO entities in order to share lessons, improve efficiency and provide a unified message and consistent military advice. Starting in 2026, SPP Plans and Policy (PLP), including the Deterrence Integrated Project Team (IPT), will take forward work to implement the MDED Deterrence Principles Guide, by integration of 'deterrence' into exercises and through wargaming. As ACT's Deterrence SMEs, the analysts would lead ACT's contribution to pan-Alliance deterrence activity while supporting other ACT branches' activity, in particular Multi Domain Operations (MDO). In order to support ACT leadership and to prepare for engagements on this topic, the analysts will engage externally with the DCoI, including stakeholders across NATO enterprise and with Allies through their national appointed points of contact as well as academia and industry.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• Will be under the responsibility of the SPP PLP/Deterrence IPT Head and be involved in all aspects of SPP PLP deterrence work, to include writing reports, coordination of webinars, working groups, in particular the DCoI, and wargames, editorial ownership of the MDED Deterrence Principles Guide, and development of numerous products related to deterrence related topics.
• Will be assigned to SPP PLP/Deterrence IPT to support the development and implementation of MDED LoD but also support other ACT activity/work, where a deterrence input is required.
• Based upon the findings of the 4SQ Study Report and other literature, lead the scoping work related to the development of the MDED Principles Guide.
• Populate the framework with through in depth, 'risk informed, adversary informed' analysis of deterrence principles, to produce a MDED Deterrence Principles Guide to be used as a document to inform strategic decision making.
• Improve integration of the deterrence work into existing ACT and Alliance activity through stakeholder engagement and, in particular the identification of and development of a DCoI.
• Develop and deepen ACT and SPP's understanding of deterrence theory and practice against globally diverse strategic challenges, beyond the Euro Atlantic Area
• Develop StratCom messaging and methodologies to share deterrence issues, new findings and other relevant information with the DCoI and other identified target audiences.
• Attend weekly SPP PLP and Deterrence IPT meetings, both scheduled and unscheduled, at the direction of the BH/IPT Head. Currently there is one scheduled SPP PLP and one Deterrence IPT meeting per week, with impromptu meetings called when required.
• Provide feedback about their work clearly and concisely.
• Provide input on NWCC and WDA and offer ideas and related analysis.
• Understand and shape the NATO's/ACT's strategy and mission.
• Share ideas with multiple stakeholders and gain alignment from them.
• Be available to ACT leadership for WDA related requirements.
• Collaborate as required with HQ SACT cross-functional teams to provide strategic thoughts and inputs.
• Fulfil other specific WDA related tasks directed by SPP PLP/Deterrence IPT Head.
• Look beyond 2026 to develop further plans to progress deterrence thinking and understanding across the ACT and the Alliance.
• Contribute to strategic planning efforts that satisfy long-term needs of Warfare development.
• Interpret political, economic, sociocultural, technological and military trends and develop alternatives ways of assessment.
• Develop plans to materialize long term strategy and analyze development proposals.
• Conduct research to identify threats and opportunities.
• Construct forecasts and analytical models.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated experience in government, military, or academic environment in the analysis of deterrence and defence against threats within and beyond the Euro Atlantic Area, military forces, posture, planning or operations.
• Demonstrated experience in researching and analysing international relations and security studies, deterrence and defence and the Instruments of Power, with focus on the MIoP
• Demonstrated experience and understanding in the application of deterrence principles and the provision of deterrence advice at the military strategic level and the nexus of Military, Political, Economic and Information Instruments of Power
• Demonstrate experience working at a military headquarters, or similar environment, at staff level on policy development, gap analysis, strategic planning, policy development procedures and associated staff work on the operational and strategic levels of military activities.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Ability to build cooperative relationships with academia and governmental partners.
• Capacity to work under general direction within a clear framework of accountability with substantial personal responsibility.
• Ability to effectively multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced environment.
• Capacity to work effectively as the member of a multinational and multidisciplinary team.
• Execute a broad range of complex professional or technical work activities in a variety of contexts.
• Ability of disciplined and systematic approach to problem solving.
• Ability for a comprehensive approach based on credible evidence, the most probable counterarguments and risks.
• Excellent ability of using contemporary office tools, including MS office and communications systems.
• Excellent written and oral skills.
  Creative and innovative thinking.
  

Education

• Master's degree or higher in political science, international studies, security studies, is preferred. Master's degree can be substituted with a bachelor's degree and appropriate level of experience in fields linked to deterrence theory and the formulation of deterrence advice and principles at the military strategic level.

Language Proficiency

• Business English

Working Location

• Norfolk, VA, USA

Working Policy

• On-Site

Contract Duration

• January 2025 – December 2027

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance

We never know what new opportunities might be just over the horizon. If this opportunity isn't for you please feel free to send us your resume anyway and be the first to know if something suitable for your skills and experience comes up.