Operational Research and Analysis Expert

Spektrum•Norfolk, VA

22h•Onsite

About The Position

Spektrum is seeking an Operational Research and Analysis Expert to support key client projects, specifically for the NATO Communication and Information Agency (NCIA). The NCIA is responsible for providing secure and effective communications and IT services to NATO members and partners, including cybersecurity, command and control systems, satellite communications, electronic warfare, and information management. This role will support the Assistance and Advisory Service (AAS) program, which is crucial for delivering NATO's C3 capability and CIS services. The position involves contributing to capability delivery programs, which have seen increased funding and require enhanced efficiency and speed. The Operational Analysis Branch provides analysts to program teams to support evidence-based decision-making in requirements derivation and programmatic planning. Operational Analysis is used interchangeably with Operations Research and Operational Research. This role will involve Course of Action (COA) analysis to determine appropriate methods and capability architectures, and Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) to determine acquisition strategies and demonstrate value for money. COA analysis involves understanding programmatic uncertainties, facilitating workshops, gathering evidence on cost, risk, schedule, and effectiveness, and assessing options. AoA involves comparative assessment of options in terms of costs, risks, schedules, and operational effectiveness, testing the marketplace, and determining the best procurement strategy (managed service, national solutions, industry products, or bespoke development).

Requirements

Minimum two examples in the last 10 years (minimum 3 years duration) in the field of military Operations Research / Operational Analysis / Systems Analysis, supporting policy development, capability development, or acquisition.
With a relevant Bachelor’s degree (listed below), only 2 years in the last 5 must be in the fields/areas listed above.
Experience in designing, leading and facilitating workshops involving technical and non-technical stakeholders and across multiple levels of seniority.
Experience, within the last 5 years, of determining Operational Analysis requirements, scoping problems for study, developing analysis plans, and delivering high-quality outputs that influence senior decision-makers.
Experience with assessment frameworks, including setting MoPs and MoEs, setting service delivery KPIs, or analysis supporting programmatic benefits management and planning.
Experience in gathering evidence and scoring effectiveness through the use of analytical methods to defence domain issues. Methods may include soft systems methods and elicitation of subjective evidence, war gaming, computer modelling and simulation, mathematical modelling, optimization techniques, and process mapping.
Experience in risk identification, assessment, analysis, and management in a project and /or programme planning context.
Experience in producing or working with cost estimates, including cost-estimating methodologies, methods, and tools.
Experience within the last 10 years working in a strategic or operational military command or multinational environment.
A University or equivalent Bachelor’s degree in Operations Research, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering or equivalent quantitative degree, or a subject with focus on organizational or group decision-making.
Alternatively, 5+ years of Operational Analysis / Operations Research experience conducting and leading analytical studies in a relevant military, strategic, political or international environment.
Valid National or NATO personal security clearance.
Professional English language skills.

Responsibilities

Contribute to COA analysis using Operations Research and Analysis techniques, in support of Capability Development within ACT to mature NATO capability requirements and set programmatic direction.
Research to study and establish qualitative and quantitative assessments of operational effectiveness, undertake cost-effectiveness and risk-benefit studies and analyses.
Where appropriate, interact with appropriate NATO and National research entities and industries to establish the impact of alternatives on operational effectiveness.
Where appropriate, attend engagements with NATO, National organizations, and/or industry to ensure cost estimation activities are likely to provide outputs of appropriate quality to support analysis.
Support the creation of Requests for Information to NATO Nations, Non-Governmental Organizations, and industry.
Analyze the potential impact of identified individual and aggregated risks, and propose possible risk management strategies.
Elicit, and/or review and assess schedule estimates, to ensure appropriate quality and supporting evidence for decisions being supported by analysis.
Review and assess cost estimates provided by others, to ensure appropriate quality and supporting evidence for decisions being supported by analysis.
Analyze and document comparative assessments of cost, risk, schedule, and operational effectiveness to inform programmatic decision-making.
Produce decision briefs/presentations describing the underlying rationale/justification for analytical outcomes.
If appropriate, brief decision-makers on the context, process, and outcomes.
Produce written reports of analysis conducted as part of the CPP evidence package, for review with the International Military Staff and International Staff in NATO Headquarters.
Produce summary briefs of lessons identified / lessons learned to support continuous improvement of NATO capability development and OA Branch skills and competencies.
May be required to travel to meetings and conferences both within and outside NATO’s boundaries for up to 35 days per year.
Perform additional tasks as required by the COTR related to the LABOR.