Military/Strategic Analyst

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 Joint Analysis and Lessons Learned Centre (JALLC) is a NATO entity located in Lisbon, Portugal. The Joint Analysis and Lessons Learned Centre (JALLC) is involved in a wide range of activities:

• Analysis – The JALLC conducts three types of analysis in support of its mission: Joint Analysis of NATO-wide complex issues, Short Term Analysis of issues with strategic implications that require a swift response, and NATO Lessons Learned Portal Content Analysis of Lessons Learned information and trends on the NLLP. Each type of analysis is conducted by civilian and military subject matter experts as appropriate who, besides their own education and experience, undergo the JALLC Analyst Training Course when they join the JALLC to ensure a seamless service across the JALLC’s analysis activities.
• Lessons Learned - The JALLC facilitates Lessons Learned in NATO through its various Lessons Learned activities. These activities include managing the NATO Lessons Learned Portal, providing assessment and advice on the implementation of the NATO Lessons Learned Capability, analysing the content of the NATO Lessons Learned Portal identifying trends and themes, and providing Lessons Learned training to NATO entities, Member Nations, and Partner Nations whether in the classroom, on site, or virtually. Additionally, the JALLC provides support to the NATO Lessons Learned community more generally in the form of the NATO Lessons Learned events, including the NATO Lessons Learned Conference which covers topical themes and draw participants from all over NATO and beyond.
• Training - The JALLC provides a series of training courses for both internal and external participants. Courses objectives range from training in analysis techniques and project management to basic training in Lessons Learned for Lessons Learned Staff Officers and Points of Contact. All of the JALLC’s training courses are reviewed and revised regularly based on participant feedback to ensure the best possible training experience
• Support to Exercises and Operations - The JALLC’s support to exercises is multi-faceted and underpins all aspects of the JALLC Mission. The JALLC’s Exercise Support team and military and civilian analysts participate in all stages of the NATO Exercise Process, from Exercise Specification and Development, through Planning and Product Development, Operational Conduct to Analysis and Reporting. The JALLC provides support to operations by facilitating Lessons Learned training, Active Content Management of the NATO Lessons Learned Portal, and Joint Analysis. This support is tasked as required and includes support to operations in the form of support to Operational Plans, Key Leader Training and Subject Matter Expert support for planning conferences.

The Program 

The Joint Analysis and Lessons Learned Centre (JALLC) is a NATO entity located in Lisbon, Portugal. The JALLC Lessons Learned Analysis Division (LLAD) is tasked to complete analysis of the lessons that are of value to improving NATO’s warfighting, warfare development and political military decision making. In 2026, the JALLC is tasked to lead the production of several Lessons Learned (LL) Analysis Reports to meet a wide range of requirements, including Lessons from Russia’s War Against Ukraine, Integration of Electromagnetic Warfare into Joint Fires and Effects, Advising, Training and Capacity Building in NATO Mission Iraq, Cyber Domain Operations, and Audacious (Realistic) Training. Additionally, in response to the increased tempo of NATO exercise and operational activities, there is an increased demand for exercise support, and for JALLC to be prepared to respond flexibly to emergent analysis requirements during the year, including by the production of a new type of Rapid Response (R2) analysis report.

---

Role Background 

The complexity of the upcoming 2026 programme necessitates confident, experienced analysts skilled in both quantitative and qualitative methods to work alongside the JALLC’s military analysts. In 2026, JALLC will experience significant turnover among its military analysts, leaving its analysis capacity weakened, when both demand and complexity are at an all-time high.

The JALLC has assessed that it needs to augment its analysis capacity with two full-time contractor analysts, who will fully integrate into the LLAD, allowing for:

surge capacity at key points during the year, e.g., when many observers need to be deployed to observe an exercise; additional technical support and capacity in analysis teams with new military analysts; and sufficient trained and experienced analysts to respond to emergent requirements during the year.

Delivering an agile and flexible Programme of Work (POW) requires additional workforce resilience. Two analyst contractors will provide the agility needed to respond effectively to R2 reports and to support the anticipated increase in dynamic exercise activity aligned with Audacious Training.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• As a member of a LLAD, they will be allocated to project teams where they are required to proactively, and with minimal supervision, use their knowledge and experience to plan, conduct, and lead assigned tasks and deliverables, such as those specified. They will work effectively and efficiently with JALLC staff to ensure their assigned tasks, deliverables, and performance, meet the standards.
• Planning and conducting research/analysis, e.g., data collection, document research, research interviews, facilitating workshops, note taking at workshops;
• Application of qualitative and/or quantitative research methods;
• Developing, writing, reviewing, and revising analytical and communications products;
• Adjudicating and incorporating comments from internal and external reviewers into draft products;
• Updating, maintaining, and archiving a reference library, reference database, and contacts list;
• Managing and verifying accuracy of references and citations;
• Identifying and engaging stakeholders internal and external to NATO;
• Attending and presenting at meetings, workshops and conferences; and ix. Administrative tasks.

 Essential Skills and Experience

• Military Staff Knowledge. Knowledge and understanding of military activities performed at strategic, operational and single service command HQs gained by working for or with military, or by in-depth study.
• Research Project Team Experience. Work experience as a researcher/analyst working in project teams in a recognized research/analysis organization.
• Writing Skills. Proven ability to produce clear, concise, accurate, logical and evidence-based written material in English.
• Computer Skills. Intermediate level MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint.

Desirable Skills and Experience 

• Subject Matter Expertise. Experience, study or training in any of the following topics: Russia’s War Against Ukraine, especially drone warfare, Electromagnetic Warfare integration in Joint Fires and Effects, NATO Training Mission Iraq, Cyber Domain Operations, Realistic Exercise Design and Delivery.
• Understanding of NATO Militar: Understanding of NATO military concepts such as the Concept for the Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area (DDA), and the NATO Warfighting Capstone Concept (NWCC); structures such as NATO Command Structure and NATO Force Structure, and Allied Joint Doctrines, especially AJP-1 and AJP-3.
• Research Methodology. Demonstrated track record of successfully applying quantitative and qualitative research methods in customer focussed research projects.
• Communication Skills: Demonstrated track record of successfully communicating results of research/analysis to military audiences up to senior levels in meetings, reports and/or presentations.
• Data Analysis Skills: Demonstrated track record of applying specialist software in a research/analysis project e.g. MaxQDA/NVivo, R/Python, Excel VBA.

 Essential Personal Attributes

• Initiative: Able and keen to anticipate what needs to be done, and to take proactive action to solve problems and ensure work gets done effectively and efficiently.
• Teamwork: Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability and desire to work with others. Flexibility and willingness to work in a leading or supporting role as the situation requires. Manages own work and time to coordinate with what is needed by the team.
• Analytical mindset: Exhibits curiosity and scepticism in work and personal life. Actively seeks explanations to improve own and others’ understanding. Applies creative and critical thinking to solve problems. Values precision and accuracy in work.

 Languages

• Proficient in English SLP4444/Common European Framework C1 level.

Education

• Master degree in Applied Sciences, Social/Political Sciences, Natural Sciences, or History, or 6 years’ research project team work experience
  
  

Working Location

• Lisbon, Portugal

Working Hours and Policy

• On-Site, according to JALLC normal working hours, Monday through Friday, from 08:30 to 17:30 (a lunch break may be taken between 12:00 and 14:00).
• Portuguese national holidays will be applicable.

Contract Duration and Level of Effort

• Base Period: 05 January 2026 – 31 December 2026. 225 working days or 1800 working hours.
• Optional Period: 01 January 2027 – 31 December 2027. 225 working days or 1800 working hours.

Travel

• Occasional travel to other NATO sites may be required for periods of up to 14 consecutive days.

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance