Vacancy Announcement

Unified Action Partner/Interagency Exercise SME (Fort Leavenworth, KS)

• Eligibility:                    Open only to U.S. citizens (SECRET clearance required)
• Type:                           Full-Time/Permanent
• Location:                     Fort Leavenworth, Kansas (in-person/no hybrid or remote)
• Deadline to Apply:      No later than 31 March 2026 (rolling)
• Start Date:                  No later than 15 May 2026 (somewhat flexible)
• # of Positions:            Three

We're seeking to fill this role quickly. Candidates will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please apply early.

About Us:

Motive International (www.motiveinternational.com) is not like most Federal contractors. We are a social enterprise with a hybrid for-profit/not-for-profit business model focused entirely on a mission to mitigate global conflict and instability. We implement programs and deliver innovative, technology-enabled solutions to public and private sector clients and conduct pro-bono impact initiatives all around the world that help make societies more peaceful and prosperous. Our small team is comprised of passionate, world-leading experts and motivated professionals who believe deeply in our mission and values. We are a certified 8(a) and Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) based in Washington, DC, with a reputation for excellence, integrity, and fearlessly pursuing our mission.

About the Position:

Motive International is hiring three (3) full-time mid- to senior-level Unified Action Partner/Interagency SMEs (“UAP SMEs”). Each of the three positions is aligned to a distinct domain or subject matter area of expertise as follows:

1. Diplomacy/Foreign Policy/Foreign Affairs
2. Humanitarian Assistance/Refugee Operations 
3. Intelligence

Candidates may apply for one or more domain-specific position for which they fully qualify.

The three UAP SMEs will work on-site at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, supporting the U.S. Army’s Mission Command Training Program (MCTP), which implements numerous large-scale CONUS and OCONUS military exercises annually, including the Warfighter Exercise (WFX) series.

In their respective domains of expertise, each UAP SME will shape high-fidelity military training exercises by integrating their real-world civilian organizational expertise in the design, planning, and execution of exercises featuring complex operational scenarios.

UAP SMEs will play a key role in the full exercise lifecycle, from initial scenario design to execution as SME role player/advisors. All UAP SMEs will be expected to travel to off-site exercise locations, which include Fort Bragg, NC; Fort Hood, TX; and locations in Hawaii, Germany, Korea, and elsewhere.  

UAP SMEs will work in close coordination with a large, multi-disciplinary team of MCTP government and contractor staff consisting of exercise designers & planners, tech & media experts, military operations & logistics SMEs, and others.

UAP SMEs will also plan and deliver occasional “academics” or similar training events to MCTP staff or exercise participants in their respective areas of expertise, ensuring Army exercises represent sector-specific best practices, principles, and protocols.  

If you are passionate about improving civil-military coordination in large-scale contingency or crisis environments, this role offers the opportunity to directly influence how Army leaders engage in and mitigate modern conflict.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Serve as a lead subject matter expert within the Unified Action Partners Cell (UAPC) at MCTP.
• Develop and refine operational environment (OE) scenarios, storylines, and training stimuli that realistically portray the complexity of joint military and civilian operations.
• Integrate civilian equities into Corps and Division-level Warfighter Exercises by collaborating with Maneuver Control Cell (MCC) and other MCTP elements to ensure accurate integration and portrayal of military and non-military elements.
• Participate in the execution of 4-6 on-site and off-site exercises per year as a SME role player/advisor contributing to the realism and training value of events.
• Support exercise assessment and post-exercise evaluations.
• Develop and deliver trainings and briefings on Unified Action Partner roles and Civil-Military Operations (CMO) and related topics during Training Audience Academics and Senior Mentor Academics phases.
• Participate in exercise battle rhythm events, conferences, and meetings as required to support program objectives.
• Maintain up-to-date subject matter expertise through ongoing training to meet and exceed exercise support requirements.
• Identify opportunities to integrate Motive’s unique AI-powered exercise support capabilities into the MCTP program and exercise events.
• Represent Motive International, our mission, values, and equities to the Government, other contractors, and relevant enablers in the context of this program.

Required Qualifications:

• U.S. citizen with SECRET clearance eligibility
• Master’s degree in relevant field
• Min. 5 years of recent (within last 8 years) and relevant real-world experience in your respective domain of expertise, preferably including leadership roles:
  • Diplomacy – prior work at Dept. of State or UN/major IGO
  • Humanitarian assistance – prior work at USAID, State/PRM, INGO, UNOCHA, etc.
  • Intelligence – prior work at CIA, DIA, NGA, NSA, ODNI, etc.
• Experience on ground (or at the policy or management level) in a real-world, large-scale contingency or crisis such as war, natural disaster, political transition, or refugee crisis
• Experience designing, planning, or supporting military exercises (preferably at the division or higher level)
• Based in, or able to relocate to, Fort Leavenworth, KS
• Ready, willing, and able to travel, including overseas, up to 10 days/trip x 4-6 times/yr
• Exceptional communications skills and strong mentality of teamwork
• Experience with generative AI and comfort with innovative technology (preferred)

To Apply:

We are looking for candidates who are not just technically qualified, but who have a genuine passion for Motive's mission to mitigate global conflict (which we often advance in the context of civil-military coordination), and who share our organizational values. Because our work is fast-paced, dynamic, and tackles big global dilemmas, we value colleagues who thrive when presented with the opportunity to tackle a problem for which no clear standards exist. We place a premium on mission-first mindsets, teamwork, proactive and candid communication, and maturity. If this sounds like you or someone you know, we'd love to hear from you. 

Applications will be processed on a rolling basis but must be received by the deadline listed above. Please apply early. We’d like to fill this position quickly. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

1. First, please spend some time on our website (www.motiveinternational.com) getting a sense of who we are and what we do, and make sure you understand the context of this position.
2. Next, prepare your CV and write a custom statement of interest addressing the following:

In 1-2 pages, clearly state the UAP SME domain position(s) for which you are applying, then briefly tell us why you're the right person for the role. Show us the “real you,” not generic statements AI could generate or a list of your past jobs. We're eager to hear about your unique qualifications but also why this is the right opportunity for you at this point in your career.  

Note: Your statement of interest will be reviewed for content and as a sample of your writing skills. Applicants who do not submit a tailored written statement will not be considered. 

3.     Submit a complete application, which contains:

• Completed application questionnaire
• Up-to-date CV with contact info
• 1–2-page statement of interest