SALT Strategic Thinker (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks China)

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 NATOs 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 Transformations 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 NATOs strategic objectives.

Role Background

The contractor will be under the responsibility of the SALT Branch Head and will be involved in all aspects of SALT work to include writing reports coordination of workshops and working groups and development of numerous products related to Warfare Development.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• Attend weekly SALT meetings both scheduled and unscheduled at the direction of the Branch head.
• Support implementation of LTMSS PoW.
• Travel to attend relevant external meetings/workshops/events.
• Facilitate and prepare workshops and other related events such as wargames.
• Provide valuable input on NWCC and WDA and offer ideas and related analysis.
• Interpret military political economic sociocultural and technological trends and develop alternatives ways of assessment.
• Conduct research and data analysis to inform strategic decisions especially on China and the Sino-Russian relationship.
• Understand and shape the NATOs/ACTs strategy and mission.
• Develop plans to materialize long term strategy and analyse development proposals.
• Conduct research to identify threats and opportunities.
• Construct forecasts and analytical models.
• Monitor and analyse global trends (cognitive topics international relations global security environment industry and market changes etc.).
• Be available to ACT leadership for NWCC/WDA related requirements.
• Collaborate as required with HQ SACT cross-functional teams to provide strategic thoughts and inputs.
• Provide feedback about their work clearly and concisely.
• Fulfil other specific WDA and LTMSS related tasks as directed by the SALT Branch Head.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated experience in corporate government or academic environment in analysis in the area of international relations security or strategic studies.
• Experience in strategic analysis of China and the Sino-Russian relationship.
• Staff experience at operational and/or strategic level.
• A basic understanding of Strategic Foresight Strategic Planning and Execution Strategic Gap Analysis Strategy Implementation Futures Thinking Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence.
• A solid background in policy/strategy analysis or strategic planning (at least 7 to 10 years recommended).
• Previous experience in an international organization / governmental organization preferably NATO experience.
• Proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office Tool suite and collaborative software

Desirable Qualifications

• An extensive network within the academic and governmental community working on China and Sino-Russian related topics.
• An ability to build cooperative relationships with academia and governmental partners.
• The capacity to work under general direction within a clear framework of accountability with substantial personal responsibility.
• An ability to effectively multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced environment delivering requested products/tasks in due time.
• The capacity to work effectively as the member of a multinational and multi-disciplinary team.
• Execute a broad range of complex professional or technical work activities in a variety of contexts.
• An ability of disciplined and systematic approach to problem solving.
• An 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.

Education

• University degree in international relations business administration economics public administration operations research or related discipline

Language Proficiency

• Advanced Proficiency in English

Working Location

• Norfolk VA USA

Working Policy

• On-Site

Contract Duration

• January 2026 December 2030

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance