Deadline Date:
Monday 9 June 2025
Requirement: Operational Analyst Support to SHAPE Strategic Assessments of Iraq Q3 2025
Location:
Off-Site
Not to Exceed:
BASE 2025: NTE 15,615 EUR (1 Strategic Assessment Cycle) 2026, 2027 and 2028 Options
Period of Performance:
7 July 2025
Required Security Clearance:
NATO SECRET
Introduction:
- NCIA Operational Analysis Centre (OAC) supports SHAPE J5 in their production of strategic assessments of the operating environment for the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) which inform SHAPE’s Periodic Mission Review (PMR). As part of the NMI Strategic Assessment Capability (NMI SAC) project, NCIA delivers to SHAPE an independent civilian experts’ strategic assessments and supports the delivery of a nationwide survey of Iraqi public opinion (INPOR).
- NCIA OAC requires operational analyst services to support the production of NMI SAC deliverables bi-annually – initially deliverables for the autumn 2025 (Quarter 3/Quarter 4) strategic assessment cycle, and optionally for spring (Q1) and autumn (Q3) in 2026-2028.
- The requirement includes support to the production of draft strategic assessment reports, support to NMI SAC workshop conduct, and support to INPOR survey analysis and reporting. The nature of the work requires it be delivered by a candidate with recent relevant experience producing strategic assessments to support NATO Mission Iraq.
Under the direction / guidance of the local NCIA Point of Contact, the objectives of the service for each bi-annual strategic assessment cycle are:
- Produce draft NMISAC strategic assessment report, based on research and analysis of open source and NATO data sources in preparation for the NMI SAC Workshop at SHAPE in Mons, BE.
- Provide on-site analytical and logistical support to the execution of the NMI SAC Workshop, including support to the delivery of workshop outbrief and executive summary, and the finalization of the post-workshop NMI SAC strategic assessment report.
- Provide operational analyst support to the review of INPOR public opinion polling data, and its integration into NMI SAC products.
Scope of Work:
The contractor shall act as an Operational Analyst, conducting analysis that contributes to strategic assessments for NATO Mission Iraq.
The contractor shall:
- Conduct research and analysis from open source data and information to inform assessments of strategic change in the operating environment for NATO Mission Iraq during the period March through August 2025.
- Coordinate with the project team on producing a draft pre-workshop strategic assessment report, including drafting the report body for the sections related to political dynamics, security sector dynamics, and supporting the drafting of sections related to regional dynamics, social dynamics, and the Iraqi economy.
- Provide analytical and logistical support the execution of the NMI SAC workshop. Analytical support includes the compilation of workshop notes, and contributions to workshop discussion and moderation. Logistical support includes supporting logistical movements, facilities, Information Technology enablers, and coordination with local staff in the delivery of the workshop.
- Contribute to the production of the final post-workshop strategic assessment report, focusing on integration of inputs from SME reports commissioned for the project as well as points from the NMI SAC workshop discussions and findings.
- Review INPOR polling data, and analysis reports, and extract and integrate relevant information into the strategic assessment report. This may involve analysis of INPOR raw data, data tables, or other INPOR products.
- Conduct editorial and formatting reviews of the strategic assessment report drafts, as well as SME reports commissioned for the project to ensure a production-ready final report.
- The Contractor shall work principally off-site.
- The contractor shall report to NCIA Operational Analysis Centre, with Philip Eles as the main point of contact for the work.
- The Contractor shall participate in bi-weekly status update meetings via electronic means using Conference Call capabilities, or physically in the office (when on site).
- The duties described in this SOW require a valid NATO SECRET security clearance prior to the start of the engagement.
- All the documentation delivered under this statement of work will be based on NCI Agency templates or as agreed with project point of contact.
- ONE single contractor must accomplish this work.
- The contractor is expected to work off site. Occasional Work on-site may also be arranged with the project manager.
- Travel to other NATO and commercial sites will be required in order to complete the tasks.
- Travel expenses will be handled separately– these costs fall outside the Not-To-Exceed financial limit.
- Travel arrangements will be the responsibility of the contractor and the expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with Article 5.5 of AAS Framework Contract and within the limits of the NCIA Travel Directive.
- NCIA will equip the contractor with NR CIS (Laptop).
The candidate must demonstrate the following experience and expertise:
- At least three years of experience producing strategic assessments reports for NATO related to NATO Mission Iraq;
- At least three years of experience supporting strategic assessment workshops for SHAPE
- At least three years of experience working with Iraqi public opinion data and integrating results into strategic assessment reports;
- Extensive understanding of the existing range of reporting sources related to Iraqi political, security sector, regional, social, and economic information;
- Strong understanding of the current political, security sector, regional, social, and economic aspects of the current environment in Iraq;
- Strong report writing skills related to production of strategic assessments (examples may be requested)
- Strong research skills
- Demonstrated ability to work independently
- Demonstrated experience working with NATO ACO and ACT