NSATU - TEMPORARY POST - Contract Officer

SHAPE is looking for employing a qualified and suitable candidate to fill this post as a temporary staff for 6 months with a possibility of extension. If you meet the requirements described in the job description below and wish to work in a fast-paced international environment, this post is for you.

In view of the nature and of the urgency of this temporary position, it is important for candidates to be available for temporary employment. In practice, this implies being in possession of valid NATO security clearance at the time of application, or having been in possession of such a clearance with the possibility to reactivate it swiftly.  We therefore only encourage applications for this post if you are already, or have previously been, in possession of a valid NATO security clearance.

1. POST CONTEXT

During the initial establishment of NSATU (NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine), the incumbent of this post is responsible to perform all duties and assume all responsibilities listed in the Principle Duties, and Special Requirements/Additional Duties sections of this job description. Using the Statement of Functions described above for context, the incumbent is responsible to review the Organizational Structure of NSATU, and identify and understand how this position fits into the organization. The incumbent will then develop the initial Post Context for this position. As NSATU matures as an organization, and especially as SOPs and processes are established, the incumbent will be responsible for the regular refinement of this post context.

2. PRINCIPAL DUTIES

General Purchasing and Contracting: Exercise the functions associated with being a Senior Contracting Officer in accordance the limitations of a warrant responsible for the execution of all pre-award, award and post award functions to include but not limited to:

a. procurement planning;

b. developing purchase and contracting strategies;

c. evaluating purchase requests;

d. conducting market research when required, solicitation planning and source selection;

e. publicizing competition and inviting bidders or processing requests for deviations to normal procurement procedures;

f. as part of a CAC or independently evaluating bid proposals to assess prices and contractor reliability by applying evaluation criteria on cost and technical proposals;

g. negotiating contract terms and conditions when necessary;

h. preparing the contract for award to execute the contract award strategy;

i. awarding contracts to successful bidders independently or countersigned by the Financial Controller in accordance with the established limits;

j. ensuring contractors adhere to regulations by periodically evaluating;

k. measuring and reporting contractors’ performance;

l. training and supervising work delegated to Contracting Officer’s Technical Representatives;

m. taking appropriate actions, such as making related determinations and findings such as but not limited to, changes, modifications, issuing cure notices, suspension of work, stop work orders, terminations, assessment of liquidated damages, and issuances of final contracting officer determinations;

n. exercising the aforementioned in such a manner to safeguard the interests of the Insert HQ name here, SHAPE and NATO in all assigned contractual relationships;

o. contract close-out including verifying all administrative matters are concluded.

3. ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

a) Professional/Experience

1. 2 years professional acquisition experience, within a position leading and improving the procurement activity, negotiating complex contracts associated with extensive knowledge of international contract and business law.

2. Experience in executing the full cycle of procurement activities, i.e., from conducting market surveys, devising acquisition strategies, issuing solicitations, and evaluating proposals to awarding, administering and closing out contracts.

3. 2 years of experience in the procurement/contracting field, with demonstrated ability to negotiate, execute competitive bidding procedures, award and administer contracts, and effectively prosecute contractor claims and related disputes.

b) Education/Training

University Degree in supply chain management, commercial and mercantile law, logistics, inventory management, procurement or related discipline and 2 years post related experience, or Higher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training in that discipline leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 4 years post related experience.

c) Language

English  (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)  3333

4. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

1. Experience in evaluating very complex, urgent and sensitive requisitions (requirements and costs) for a wide variety of goods, services and engineering works.

2. Experience in translating very complex, urgent and sensitive technical or operational requirements into commercially adequate invitations for bids.

3. Proven experience in the use of modern office automation applications (MS OFFICE), including the use of Internet, e-commerce and an Automated Accounting/Purchasing Application System.

4. Experience in contracting for military or international organizations, preferably as a warranted contracting officer.

5. Prior contracting experience at the management level, and an understanding of management oversight of contracts.

6. Knowledge of NATO procurement directives.

7. Knowledge of Host Nation contract law.

8. Knowledge of multinational logistics principles and procedures, as well as experience in contingency contracting.

WHAT WE OFFER

-       38 hours per week schedule;

-       2.5 paid days of leave per month worked;

-       Fulfilling working atmosphere in an international and military community;

-       Contract period: the position is approved until 31 December 2027;

-       Salary: 6,713.06 Euros, it is exempt from taxation in the Host Nation;

-       Benefits package: temporary personnel are covered by a benefits package which consists of an additional sum of 12% of basic salary for pension purposes basic medical and accident insurance provided under the NATO Group insurance contract (death and invalidity). The cost for insurance amounts to 2.57% of basic salary (2/3 payable by the Organisation and 1/3 payable by staff);

-       For staff eligible under NATO rules, there is also a dependent child allowance and coverage for dependent children for medical benefits.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Candidates possessing a valid NATO or National security clearance will be given priority consideration.

Applications are to be submitted using NATO Talent Acquisition Platform (NTAP) (https://nato.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobsearch.ftl?lang-en).  Applications submitted by other means (e.g. mail, e-mail, fax, etc) are not accepted.

NTAP allows adding attachments.  A copy of the qualification/certificate covering the highest level of education required by the job description must be provided as an attachment.

Essential information must be included in the application form. Particular attention should be given to Education and Experience section of the application form. Each question should be answered completely.  Expressions such as “please see attached CV, please see annex / enclosed document” or invitations to follow links to personal webpages are not acceptable and will be disregarded. All answers should be in English.

Shortlisted candidates will be requested to provide original documentary evidence and a set of copies supporting statements in their applications.

Remarks:

A.   Only nationals from the 32 NATO member states can apply for vacancies at SHAPE.

B.   Applications are automatically acknowledged within one working day after submission. In the absence of an acknowledgement please make sure the submission process is completed, or, re-submit the application.

C.   Candidates’ individual telephone, e-mail or telefax enquiries cannot be dealt with. All candidates will receive an answer indicating the outcome of their application.