Senior Defence Strategist

TAG HR; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 117,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

TAG HR is seeking a Senior Defence Strategist to support a federal defence R&D program in Ottawa, with hybrid/remote work and onsite requirements. The role focuses on international defence cooperation, project arrangements, EW, RF-based C-UAS, and field Test & Evaluation activities.

The successful candidate will deliver strategic advisory, project management, and documentation support across multinational stakeholders, including Five Eyes and NATO-aligned partners. SECURITY clearance required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 48 months of experience providing strategic advice, support, negotiation, drafting, or implementation services related to international defence cooperation.
• Minimum 48 months of experience providing strategic management and advisory services as part of defence development and test & evaluation projects.
• Experience with C-UAS or EW is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior strategic advice and subject matter expertise for defence development initiatives.
• Develop and prepare SOWs, SORs, and related programmatic documentation.
• Support development of EW-related and RF-based C-UAS capabilities and field T&E activities.

Skills

Strategic advisory

Project management

International cooperation

Tools

EW

RF/C-UAS

NAVWAR

Job description

Senior Defence Strategist – Defence Cooperation & Test and Evaluation

Location: Ottawa, ON – Hybrid/Remote with onsite requirements
Compensation: $85-$120/hr based on qualifications, experience, and final contract pricing.

Contract Term: October 5, 2026 to March 31, 2027, with an optional extension through July 9, 2027.

Hours: Up to 1,024 hours during the initial contract term, with an additional 576 hours available under the optional period.

Scope of Work / Tasks

We are seeking one (1) Senior Defence Strategist for a specialized contract opportunity supporting a federal defence research and development program.

The successful consultant will provide strategic advisory, project management, defence cooperation, program documentation, and Test & Evaluation (T&E) support related to the development and implementation of emerging defence capabilities.

The role will focus heavily on international defence cooperation, Project Arrangements, Electronic Warfare (EW), Radio Frequency (RF)-based Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS), and field Test & Evaluation activities.

Responsibilities will include:

• Provide senior strategic advice and subject matter expertise in support of defence development initiatives.
• Develop and prepare Statements of Work (SOWs), Statements of Requirements (SORs), and related programmatic documentation.
• Support the development and acquisition of emerging EW-related and RF-based C-UAS capabilities.
• Provide strategic and project management support throughout capability development initiatives.
• Support the negotiation, drafting, and implementation of domestic and international Project Arrangements (PAs).
• Work collaboratively with U.S. defence organizations and allied international research and development organizations.
• Support multinational defence cooperation initiatives involving Five Eyes and NATO-aligned R&D organizations.
• Provide subject matter expertise relating to EW, NAVWAR, RF-based C-UAS, defence development, and Test & Evaluation activities.
• Support the implementation and execution of collaborative defence R&D arrangements.
• Provide strategic advice and project management support under existing multinational collaborative development arrangements.
• Support the planning and execution of field Test & Evaluation activities.
• Develop, edit, and distribute field T&E plans and scenarios, where required.
• Develop test results recording templates and supporting T&E documentation.
• Prepare field trial T&E summary reports documenting activities and technical results.
• Review technical and programmatic information and translate requirements into actionable documentation.
• Coordinate with technical, operational, research, defence, and project stakeholders.
• Participate in meetings and provide strategic input on project progress, requirements, risks, and next steps.
• Support the accelerated implementation of defence development and T&E initiatives.
• Provide written and verbal strategic advice to senior project stakeholders.
• Perform other strategic advisory and project management activities as required.

The core firm-year responsibilities centre on SOW/SOR development, Project Arrangement negotiation and implementation, and ongoing subject matter expert/project management support.

Mandatory Qualifications

M1 – International Defence Cooperation

Minimum forty-eight (48) months of experience providing strategic advice, support, negotiation, drafting, or implementation services related to:

• International defence cooperation agreements
• Project Arrangements
• Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs)
• Equivalent defence cooperation instruments

Experience must involve Canada, the U.S. Department of War, and allied defence organizations.

M2 – Defence Development & Test and Evaluation

Minimum forty-eight (48) months of experience providing strategic management and advisory services as part of:

• Defence development projects
• Defence Test & Evaluation projects

Experience must include at least one project involving Counter-Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) or Electronic Warfare (EW).

M3 – Recent Relevant Project Experience

Relevant experience should include projects with:

• A minimum full-time equivalent involvement of twelve (12) months; and
• Completion within the previous seventy-two (72) months.

Candidates must be able to clearly demonstrate where, when, and how the required experience was obtained.

M4 – Security Clearance

Valid Government of Canada SECRET personnel security screening, or eligibility to obtain the required clearance.

The resulting contract requires personnel performing the work to hold valid SECRET security screening.

M5 – Language

English-language capability.

The RFP specifically identifies English as the language of work and does not require the resource to be bilingual.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within Canadian defence, national security, or military environments.
• Experience with Canadian Armed Forces capability development initiatives.
• Experience supporting international defence cooperation programs.
• Experience working with U.S. defence organizations or allied defence partners.
• Experience working within Five Eyes or NATO multinational environments.
• Experience developing or implementing Project Arrangements, MOUs, or similar international instruments.
• Experience with Electronic Warfare (EW).
• Experience with Radio Frequency (RF) technologies or systems.
• Experience with Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS).
• Experience with Navigation Warfare (NAVWAR).
• Experience supporting defence research and development programs.
• Experience supporting field Test & Evaluation activities.
• Experience developing T&E plans, test scenarios, test documentation, and T&E reports.
• Strong strategic analysis and advisory capabilities.
• Strong project management and stakeholder coordination skills.
• Excellent written communication and technical documentation skills.
• Ability to translate complex technical and operational requirements into clear programmatic documentation.
• Experience working with senior government, military, technical, research, and international stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently while operating within a structured government project environment.

Technical / Program Environment

The successful consultant will work within a specialized defence research and development environment involving:

• Defence capability development
• Electronic Warfare (EW)
• Radio Frequency (RF) technologies
• Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS)
• Navigation Warfare (NAVWAR)
• Defence Test & Evaluation
• Field trials
• International defence cooperation
• Project Arrangements
• Memoranda of Understanding
• Five Eyes collaboration
• NATO-aligned R&D collaboration
• Statements of Work (SOWs)
• Statements of Requirements (SORs)
• Programmatic documentation
• Strategic advisory services
• Project management

The underlying program supports accelerated collaborative development and field T&E of emerging EW-related and RF-based C-UAS capabilities for potential operational military applications.

Deliverables

The successful consultant may be responsible for producing:

• Statements of Work (SOWs)
• Statements of Requirements (SORs)
• Related programmatic documentation
• Draft and final Project Arrangements
• Subject matter expert advice
• Project management support
• Field T&E plans
• Field trial T&E scenarios
• Test results recording templates
• Field trial T&E summary reports

Deliverables are submitted electronically to the Technical Authority, with Microsoft Word identified for formal documentation and reports.

Security & Work Location

Security Clearance: Government of Canada SECRET

The successful consultant must be eligible to obtain and maintain the required Government of Canada SECRET security screening for the duration of the engagement.

Primary Work Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Approximately 10% of the work is expected to be performed onsite at the designated federal research facility in Ottawa. Approximately 5% will take place at various Canadian defence test ranges. The remainder is expected to be completed remotely/from the contractor's premises, with remote work subject to Technical Authority authorization.

Travel: Required

The consultant may be required to participate in up to two major travel initiatives during the contract:

• Firm period: CFB Suffield, Alberta – approximately 4 days
• Optional period: CFB Valcartier, Quebec – approximately 3 days

Meetings: Bi-weekly meetings with the Technical Authority, conducted onsite in Ottawa or via Microsoft Teams.

Language: English

Bilingualism: Not required.

Additional client and project-specific information will be provided to qualified candidates during the recruitment process.