Strategic Analyst / Strategic Foresight (Net Assessment)

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.  

SPA has a near term need for a Strategic Analyst/Strategic Foresight (Net Assessment) to provide contracting services to NATO.

This role will support of all Net Assessment efforts, providing assessments of adversary’s long-term trajectories and promoting high-level strategic thinking through providing analytical support and assessments. Support the planning and execution of Net Assessment studies and activities.

• Plan, prepare, coordinate, and conduct Net Assessment analysis and assessments, as directed.
• Employ analytical and research tools at NATO ACT in support of Strategic Foresight and Net Assessment practices with high confidence and support the further development of analytical processes.
• Analyze relevant inputs (Strategic Foresight analysis, Net Assessments, intelligence reports) to draw insights for ACT Net Assessment efforts in order to contribute to advancing NATO’s and ACT’s thinking on Cognitive Superiority and the Net Assessment Line Of Delivery.
• Research and assess quantitative and qualitative data in order to provide comparative insight in BLUE/RED future trajectories.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of ACT Net Assessment practices, through analysis and interaction with NATO Net Assessment community of interest, including Allied nations, NATO-accredited Centers of Excellence, partners, academia, and industry.
• Support Strategic Foresight analysis with qualitative and quantitative assessments.
• Support comparative analysis through cross-directorate coordination at NATO ACT, as required,
• Formulate actionable proposals to develop future practices in Strategic Foresight and Net Assessment.
• Cooperate and assist in developing and maintaining NATO Net Assessment community of interest.

Essential Qualifications:

• Active National or NATO Secret clearance
• Demonstrated experience and background in analysis and assessments of policies and strategies development or defence planning
• Demonstrated experience in government, academic, military, or corporate environment in analysis and production of strategic assessments, policies or strategies
• University degree in international relations, political science, security/strategic studies, economics, history, social sciences, law or related discipline
• Project experience, including prioritization and risk management
• Knowledge of defense planning, operational planning, and/or capability development processes
• Previous experience in an international organization / governmental organization, or academic institution, preferably NATO experience
• Demonstrable recent experience (at least 5 years in the last 10) in complex data analysis and processing
• Demonstrable recent hands-on experience (at least 3 years in the last 10) in using modern software architecture and software development related to data science, analytics and data integration, e.g. Python, SQL, KNIME, Pentaho or similar and familiarity in working with semi-structured data (XML, JSON) and APIs
• Demonstrable recent hands-on experience (at least 3 years in the last 10) in designing and implementing data warehouse and data lake solutions. Knowledge of different data modelling paradigms, e.g. relational, dimensional, triple store (semantic Wikis), NoSQL
• Effective story telling via data, experienced ‘data storyteller’
• Demonstrable recent hands-on experience (at least 2 years in the last 5) with data presentation and visualization tools, e.g. Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, Kibana, or
  similar using high quality graphs and reports, charts, heats maps and interactive dashboards.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to build cooperative relationships with academia and governmental and non-governmental partners
• Demonstrated capacity to work under general direction within a clear framework of accountability with substantial personal responsibility
• Demonstrated ability to effectively multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated capacity to work effectively as a member of a multinational and multi- disciplinary team
• Demonstrated ability to execute a broad range of complex professional or technical work activities in a variety of contexts
• Demonstrated ability of disciplined and systematic approach to problem solving
• Demonstrated ability for a comprehensive approach based on credible evidence, the most probable counterarguments and risks