USSOCOM J3-I Senior International Capability Development SME

Ascendancy Group LTD; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ascendancy Group is seeking experienced professionals to support USSOCOM and the J3-I Division in advancing collaboration across the global SOF community. The position involves coordinating research, analyzing partner nation capability gaps, and drafting roadmaps to improve interoperability while adhering to security procedures and foreign disclosure requirements.

Responsibilities include developing PN SOF capability profiles, coordinating participation in pre-mission training, and aligning

Qualifications

• Graduate of US SOF component selection and assessment program (e.g. SFQC, BUDS) or equivalent.
• Bachelors degree in international relations or related field.
• Operational experience with international military forces or international organizations.
• 15 years combined military SOF and regional experience in joint, combined, interagency environments.
• Graduate of Joint Professional Military Education course or equivalent.
• Experience with Foreign Disclosure and international partner information exchanges.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate, support, coordinate, conduct research, analyze data, and draft feasible solutions for PN SOF interoperability.
• Draft inputs for PN SOF integration into development working groups, experiments, and war-games.
• Coordinate PN SOF participation in interoperability programs (e.g., Bold Quest, CIAV, MPEWG).
• Collect and analyze PN SOF capabilities and gaps; maintain PN SOF capability profiles for each PN.
• Support development of interoperability objectives for PN SOF.
• Maintain roadmaps tracking PN progress toward interoperability objectives.
• Coordinate PN SOF participation in pre-mission training and exercises.
• Align PN SOF acquisition programs with US security cooperation mechanisms; track PN activities.
• Draft plans to support TSOC efforts for SOF-related defense institutions within J3-I countries.
• Develop planning products to track USSOCOM/SOF exercises and partner participation.
• Perform Foreign Disclosure Representative duties for assigned PN personnel.
• Assist in security procedures and close-out activities.

Skills

Foreign disclosure experience

Interoperability programs knowledge

International collaboration

SOF experience

Education

Bachelors degree in international relations or related field

Job description

The Ascendancy Group’s Mission To be the unequaled provider of special operations forces (SOF) and Intelligence Community focused technical, service, and training-based solutions. *This position is contingent upon contract award*

Overview

The Ascendancy Group is seeking experienced professionals to support the USSOCOM Directorate of Operations (J3), J3-International (J3-I) Division, in advancing collaboration, interoperability, and strategic engagement across the global Special Operations community. J3-I strengthens alliances, enhances multinational readiness, and supports USSOCOM’s network of Special Operations Liaison Officers while integrating insights from Allied and Partner Nation SOF into enterprise planning. This effort directly contributes to the development of an international SOF Common Operating Picture and enables partners to deter in competition, respond in crisis, and prevail in conflict. Team members will play a key role in supporting international engagement programs, managing strategic relationships, and ensuring world-class support to international SOF representatives assigned to USSOCOM. In support of the J3-I Interoperability Branch, this role helps partner nations develop SOF capability roadmaps, assess interoperability, and align their training, exercises, and force development efforts with USSOCOM objectives. The role conducts research, analyzes Partner Nation capability gaps, and coordinates their participation in key interoperability programs and events. It also supports security cooperation efforts, maintains progress roadmaps, and ensures proper foreign disclosure and secure operational procedures.

Security Requirement: Active Secret clearance with SCI Eligibility

Roles and Responsibilities

• Facilitate, support, coordinate, conduct research, analyze data, and draft feasible solutions and options which lead to quantifiable improvements in PN SOF interoperability in accordance with existing security cooperation guidelines.
• Draft inputs to and assist in PN SOF integration into future developmental working groups, experiments, and war-games.
• Coordinate PN SOF participation in and inputs to existing J3-I interoperability programs, including Joint Staff J6 Bold Quest, Defense Information Support Agency’s (DISA) Coalition Interoperability Assurance Validation (CIAV), Mission Partner Environment Working Group (MPEWG).
• Conduct research, collect and analyze data on PN SOF capabilities and gaps; draft and maintain PN SOF capability profile for each PN nation assigned to J3-I and with whom USSOCOM maintains a SOLO.
• Support development of interoperability objectives for J3-I assigned PN SOF.
• Draft and maintain roadmaps which track progress by each PN toward achieving their SOF Commander’s interoperability objectives.
• Coordinate PN SOF participation in pre-mission training for ongoing operations; support and assist PN participation in US exercises and training in accordance with their established training objectives and interoperability roadmap.
• Support PN efforts to obtain and align their SOF acquisition programs with the appropriate US security cooperation and assistance mechanisms; track all USSOCOM PN SOF security cooperation activities and cases.
• Draft plans for and support TSOC efforts to support development of SOF-related defense institutions within J3-I countries, where applicable.
• Develop planning products which enable us to track USSOCOM and SOF Component exercises and Pre Mission Training, and coordinate A/PN participation in accordance with J3-I priorities.
• Perform the duties and responsibilities as Foreign Disclosure Representatives (FDR) for assigned PN personnel.
• Perform close‑out and escort duties as part of the Division’s Security Procedure.

Position Requirements

• Graduate of US SOF component selection and assessment program such as US Army Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC), Basic Underwater Demolition School (BUDS) or another SOF component equivalent.
• Bachelor’s degree in international relations or related field
• Demonstrate the following experience: a) completion of a formal program of instruction from a DoW training organization which covers the basic tenets of US Security Cooperation (examples include Defense Acquisition University, Joint Special Operations University, US Army Command and General Staff College, US Army or US Navy Special Warfare courses), b) operational experience working with international military forces (joint combined exchange training, joint exercises, or joint combined operations such as Afghanistan or Iraq), or c) assignment to an international military organization or coordination center, such as Joint Staff J7, or their Combatant Command (COCOM) staff organization which works with international partners.
• Demonstration of ability to work with and through international SOF partners is required.
• 15 years combined military SOF and Regional experience working special operations conducted in a joint, combined, and interagency environment.
• Graduate of a Joint Professional Military Education course, Intermediate Development Course or a Senior Professional Military Education Course.
• Experience with Foreign Disclosure and working with international partner information exchanges

The Ascendancy Group (TAG) was founded on and thrives based on relationships, reputation, and trust. We are passionate about everything we do. One hundred percent of our government-focused teammates are former members of the Department of War or the Intelligence Community who still believe in supporting our nation. We offer like-minded individuals the opportunity to continue working in small teams on unique and challenging problem sets that further our nation's security.