Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Security Cooperation, Training, & Exercise Integration Planner

Forge is a global solutions provider. We are a proud, certified woman-owned, service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (WOSB, SDVOSB) ignited to redefine the traditional GovCon mold, deliver innovations, and elevate collective impact. We are known as international problem fixers who only pursue work where we can truly make a difference. We are deeply integrated members of trusted client communities, energized and honored to be partners in questioning and solving human challenges worldwide.

Forge strikes a precise balance between empowering autonomy and emphasizing the necessity of belonging to a connected network of people and initiatives. It's led to a new echelon of collective excellence- one that continues to lead to monumental growth - and built a dream team of top-tier, collaborative, 'get-it-done' experts.

Our culture is everything. People come first. Our culture is built around a diverse group of employees empowered to think in different directions, a leadership team that trusts employees to lean in to unique greatness, and an operations team that deploys programs to support employee well-being and growth - both personally and professionally. We treat Forge like a co-op, where staff input drives corporate action.

With a 93% retention rate, it's evident that once we hire great people, we keep them. We're rated #2 Best Medium Business in all of Virginia, and we are a multi-year, multi-award winner of the Fortune® Magazine Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services™, Best Medium Workplaces™, and Best Workplaces for Parents™. Based on employee feedback and independent analysis, we have been certified as a Great Place to Work™ for six consecutive years. In addition to recognition for top workplace culture, our growth earned us a spot on the 2024 and 2025 Inc. Magazine 5000 List of the Fastest-Growing Companies in America, and the Women Presidents Organization (WPO) and J.P. Morgan Chase named us one of the 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies nationally. But most importantly, we're proud to be a company that puts people first.

The future of Forge is exciting and evolving - as capability and community remain the battle rhythm sustaining transformative success. We're searching for those who want to work hard, play hard, give back, and enjoy life. If this resonates with you, then come make a difference at Forge.

Requirement: Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Security Cooperation, Training, & Exercise Integration Planner

Job Description:

Forge Group, LLC is seeking a proactive, operationally minded Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Security Cooperation, Training, & Exercise Integration Planner to provide operational planning, exercise integration, partner nation capacity building, and analytical support to an operational-echelon Theater Army / Service Component Command headquarters. This position is built for a mid-career national security professional, former military staff officer (e.g., Civil Affairs, Information Operations, or Plans), or security cooperation specialist experienced in translating strategic guidance into tangible military to military engagements and bilateral initiatives with strategic partners.

Operating at the critical intersection of operational planning, security cooperation, and civil-military coordination, you will support the implementation of statutory requirements under Public Law 115-68 (The Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017). Unlike headquarters-focused action officers or senior curriculum designers, this role is centered on operational execution with key international partners: integrating WPS requirements into bilateral and multilateral military exercises, supporting regional capacity-building events, synchronizing with partner nation defense institutions, their WPS National Action Plans (NAPs), and human rights law requirements, and navigating the staff actions and authorizations required for partner-facing engagements. A strong working knowledge of military staff battle rhythms (G-3/G-5/G-7/G-9), civil-military coordination mechanisms, and regional security dynamics across the Americas and Western Hemisphere is vital; professional fluency in Spanish to facilitate direct communication with regional partner defense forces is highly desired.

Key Responsibilities: The candidate will execute key planning, engagement, analytical, and reporting tasks across these primary operational domains

• Bilateral & Multilateral Security Cooperation: Provide end-to-end planning, synchronization, and coordination support for security cooperation events, bilateral staff talks, defense institutional capacity building (ICB), and theater security cooperation (TSC) activities involving regional partner nations.
• National Action Plan (NAP) Integration: Analyze and integrate partner nations' WPS National Action Plans, regional human rights frameworks, and defense modernization roadmaps into theater campaign planning, security force assistance (SFA) initiatives, and security cooperation event design.
• Staff Action & Approval Processes: Navigate component, Combatant Command (CCMD), and interagency staff processes required to authorize and execute international engagements-including country clearance coordination, Leahy human rights vetting data tracking, legal/fiscal authority compliance (Title 10 security cooperation authorities), and Socium entries.
• Multinational Exercise Lifecycle Support: Plan, design, and integrate WPS operational considerations and sociocultural factors across the Joint Event Life Cycle (JELC) for command post exercises (CPX), field training exercises (FTX), and tabletop exercises (TTX) conducted with regional partner nations.
• MSEL & Vignette Development: Author realistic Master Scenario Events List (MSEL) injects, situational vignettes, and operational dilemma scenarios reflecting civilian protection, displaced populations, gender-based violence prevention, civilian environment considerations, and civil-military interaction during humanitarian assistance/disaster relief (HA/DR) and crisis response operations.
• Civil-Military Operations (CMO) Synchronization: Leverage civil affairs (CA) and civil-military cooperation (CIMIC) operational methodologies to bridge military plans with civilian equities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), intergovernmental bodies, and international partner agencies during theater operations and training events.
• Security Cooperation Planning & Execution: Support instructional delivery, seminar facilitation, and academic exchange for multinational seminars, mobile training engagements, and theater regional defense education institutes.
• Surveys, Metrics & Output Reporting: Administer standardized course surveys and participant evaluation feedback for each course delivered; compile comprehensive output summary reports, trend analyses, and metric deliverables for submission to the Joint Staff and command leadership.
• Ad Hoc Operational Support: Provide other related planning, analytical, and execution support services as directed by the local representative of the COR that fall within the scope of the PWS.
• Senior Decision Support Products: Draft concise decision papers, executive summaries, information memoranda, and briefing decks for General/Flag Officers and Senior Executive Service leaders to inform theater campaign plans, contingency assessments, and crisis response posture.
• Statutory & Programmatic Reporting: Lead the collection, collation, validation, and drafting of quantitative and qualitative operational data to satisfy annual statutory reporting mandates under P.L. 115-68 and departmental policy guidance for WPS requirements.
• Stakeholder Network Battle Rhythm: Maintain close functional coordination with CCMD WPS Advisors, Joint Staff DDCTIC counterparts, Service Component Focal Points, and interagency stakeholders to preserve operational unity of effort.

Qualifications/Requirements:

We are seeking a collaborative, mission-driven professional who combines operational fluency, diplomatic acumen, and practical staff experience navigating defense and partner-nation coordination channels.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Citizenship: United States Citizenship required.
• Security Clearance: Active Top Secret security clearance required; ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance.
• Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in International Relations, Latin American Studies, National Security Studies, Political Science, Security Cooperation, or a related field.
• Experience Level: 5 to 8 years of professional experience within the DoD, military service component command, theater army, interagency, or defense security cooperation ecosystem.
• Travel Availability: Willingness and ability to travel CONUS and OCONUS (approximately 25-35%) to support exercise planning conferences, partner nation engagements, and mobile educational events.

Highly Desired Qualifications:

• Core Subject Knowledge: Demonstrated knowledge of Public Law 115-68 (Women, Peace, and Security Act), military execution of WPS requirements, and the application civilian environment information into military operations.
• Exercise & Staff Experience: Direct experience participating in the Joint Event Life Cycle (JELC) or military exercise design, including authoring scenario injects, coordinating training objectives, or supporting exercise white-cell/green-cell execution.
• Language Proficiency: Professional working proficiency or fluency in Spanish (speaking, reading, and listening) required to facilitate partner nation coordination, bilateral working groups, and bilingual instructional workshops.
• Civil Affairs / CIMIC Background: Prior military or civilian background in Civil Affairs (CA), Civil-Military Operations (CMO), Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA), or Foreign Area Officer (FAO) functions.
• Staff Processes & Systems: Hands-on experience navigating theater staff battle rhythms (G-3 Operations, G-5 Plans, G-7 Exercises, or G-9 Civil-Military) and security cooperation administrative workflows (e.g., Socium, country clearances, Leahy vetting coordination).
• Regional Experience: Prior experience working with partner nations in Latin America, Central/South America, and the Caribbean, including familiarity with regional security challenges, transregional threats, and partner military organizational structures.
• Institutional Education Experience: Familiarity with Western Hemisphere security cooperation training and education centers, defense academies (e.g., Inter-American Defense College), or partner-nation professional military education institutions.
• Advanced Degree: Master's degree in progress or completed in International Affairs, Security Studies, or Inter-American Defense and Security.

Job: Full-time

Location: Arlington, VA

Salary Range: $100,000 - $135,000 per year

Assigned Forge Job Title: Project Specialist

Essential Duties:

• Problem Solving- Identifies and resolves problems promptly; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem-solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Written Communication- Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.
• Diversity- Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promotes a harassment-free environment; builds a diverse workforce.
• Ethics- Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and ethics; upholds organizational values.
• Strategic Thinking- Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; analyzes market and competition; identifies external threats and opportunities; adapts strategy to changing conditions.
• Planning/Organizing- Prioritize and plan work activities; use time efficiently; plan for additional resources; set goals and objectives; organize or schedule other people and their tasks; develop realistic action plans.
• Professionalism- Tactfully approaches others; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.
• Innovation- Displays original thinking and creativity; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas; presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
• Qualifications- To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below represent the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• Language Skills- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, proposals, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Mathematical Skills- Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Reasoning Ability- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to question activities and issues in all functional areas and make sound business decisions based on that data.
• Physical Demands- The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, type, or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms.
• Work Environment- The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee will normally work in a temperature-controlled office environment, with frequent exposure to electronic office equipment.

This job posting sets forth the basic authorities and responsibilities of this position, which may be changed from time to time as shall be determined. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfy each essential duty.

Benefits:

Forge fosters a rich company culture built on a diverse, hard-working employee base. Our staff is the core of our success and the impetus behind our decisions. In today's corporate culture, there is no longer a line between work and home life. As a result, we focused our benefits approach on the whole family.

The Forge total compensation model is based on a "choose-your-own-adventure approach" allowing each employee to create a comprehensive package of benefits and perks tailored to his or her needs. Examples of benefits included in our total compensation package include:

• Complete Flextime
• 401k With Employer Matching
• Healthcare, Including Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Health Savings Account (HSA) And Pre-Tax Premium Options
• Supplementary healthcare and family support
• Extended Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability
• Healthcare Insurance Deductible Paydown
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Tuition Reimbursement, Student Loan Repayment, and Education & Training Stipends
• Cell Phone / Internet Stipends
• College Saving Plans with Employer Contributions
• Alternative Work Locations and Tele-Commuting
• Employee Referral Awards
• Retention, Signing & Performance Bonuses
• Commuter Benefits
• Paid Sabbatical

Forge Group, LLC is a proud DoD Skillbridge and V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) certified company committed to hiring and retaining military veterans and spouses.

Forge Group, LLC is an Equal Opportunity [and/or] Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or military or protected veteran status. We participate in the E-Verify Employment Verification Program.