TITLE: Staff Officer (Contracting)

DIVISION: J8 - Purchasing and Contracting Branch

GRADE : G15 (A-2)

SECURITY CLEARANCE : NATO S E C R E T

Duty Location: Headquarters Allied Joint Force Command Naples, Italy

1. POST SUMMARY

Headquarters Allied Joint Force Command Naples is a Joint Headquarters, operating at the Operational Level, capable of executing effective command and control over assigned forces in order to achieve Operational effects in an assigned Joint Operating Area. As a Joint Force Command the relationships with other NATO Command Structure and NATO Force Structure Component Command Headquarters will change between baseline activities, crisis and conflict. It also provides Joint competencies to assigned NATO Force Structure Headquarters tasked to deploy as Joint Task Force Headquarters

The Finance Directorate (J8) develops financial, budgetary, accounting and procurement policies and procedures. It coordinates Budget prioritisation processes for the Commander (COM) and performs accounting, contracting, disbursing and budgetary/financial management and provides travel arrangements.

The Purchasing and Contracting Branch (P&C) is responsible for the full spectrum of the contracting activities at JFCNP in accordance with Articles III and XXXII of the Financial Rules and Procedures in support of the JFCNP led operations, activities, missions and exercises.

The Alliance Operations, Missions and Exercise Section provides accounting and financial management and/or support to operational missions, to deployable/deployed operations and exercises.

The J8 Directorate supports the Joint Force Command Naples (JFCNP) Financial Controller (FC) in the execution of the role of principal financial management advisor to the JFCNP Commander (COM) in line with Article 6 of the NATO Financial Regulations (NFRs). The Financial Controller is responsible for the Risk Management and Internal Control activities of the JFCNP, BALKANS and NS2AU organisations, in accordance with Article 11 and 12 of the NFRs. The J8 Directorate is responsible for ensuring proper financial and acquisition management throughout JFCNP AOR encompassing policy development, implementation and oversight in all aspects of the budgetary, accounting and contracting activities of JFCNP AOR commands. The JFCNP FC directs and oversees all financial management, budget, accounting and contracting activities across JFCNP AOR Operations, and establishes/implements financial policies and procedures for all subordinate organizations. Under the direction of the Financial Controller, the J8 Directorate is represented at the Budget Committee on all matters with financial implications. The Directorate develops financial, budgetary, accounting and procurement policies and procedures. Additionally it participates in the development of International Agreements, Medium Term Resource Plans (MTRPs), Consolidated Resource Proposals (CRPs) and Consolidated NMA Impact Statements (CNIS). The Financial Controller provides liaison with financial elements of NATO Force Structure (NFS) headquarters and support to external NATO bodies, Multinational Organizations and NATO agencies, as required on NATO Financial Rules and Procedures. The J8 Directorate develops and executes plans for the financial support of operations, exercises and activities to include those tied to Fight Against Terrorism (FAT) and the Readiness Action Plan (RAP). The J8 Directorate is responsible for supporting the JFCNP Financial Controller (FC) in execution of his roles as the Financial Advisor to JFCNP and as J8 Directorate. Within the branch the incumbent serves as Section Head, leading and directing all purchasing and HQ Support related contracting activity for JFC Naples and also deputises for the Branch Head.

First line supervisor for OF-3 (BCX 0030), B-5 (BCX 0080), 3X B-4 (BCX 0090, BCX 0100, BCX 0140).

This post reports to:OJS BXCA 0010 - Section Head (Alliance Operations, Missions and Exercise) - OF-3.

2. DUTIES

The incumbent’s duties are:

- Serves as Section Head, directly supervises 4 NATO civilians and one NATO officer, directing and prioritizing requirements for base support contracting actions

- Serves, if necessary and as required, as Deputy Branch Chief for 11 Person Purchasing and Contracting Branch

- Serves as lead Morale and Welfare Activity (MWA) Contracting officer, responsible for developing and negotiating all JFC Naples concessionaire agreements and consignment agreements

- Manages purchase order taskings to other NATO organizations/agencies on behalf of JFC Naples

- Leads contract solicitation preparation, evaluation, negotiations and administration for all MWA Non-Appropriated Funds contracts

- Reviews and approves all purchase orders for all JFC Naples International Store inventory purchases

- Provides subject matter expertise to the FINCON, COS, and COM on contractual matters

- Supervises and administers bid solicitations, negotiations and awards, certifies vendor compliance.

- Negotiates settlement of disputes.

- Contributes in developing technical specifications and contracts for procurement actions, and co-ordinates bidding activities.

- Develops procurement policy and procedures, and contracting acquisition strategies.

- Coordinates with the legal office on all assessments and interpretation of laws pertaining to contractual activities.

- Reviews and evaluates NATO service support provided by other NATO agencies and national agreements.

- Performs comprehensive Contracting Officer responsibilities.

Legal authority is held: In accordance with NATO Financial Rules and Procedures Article III 1)f, Purchasing and Contracting Officers have exclusive legal authority for the procurement of goods and services on behalf of the NATO body. On the basis of the warrant covering their responsibilities and any limitation on the scope of authority to be exercised, this post requires the incumbent to be suitably qualified to be appointed with an unlimited warrant in order to exercise the legal authority authorised by the Command

Budget authority is held: Budget authority is held: Holds an unlimited authority to negotiate and award contracts on behalf of the organization. Authorized to negotiate settlement of contractual disputes.

Decision authority is held: In the exercise of a warrant, a duly appointed Purchasing and Contracting Officer, subject to any limitations imposed, in accordance with NATO Financial Rules and Procedures Article XXXII will exercise decision authority and award all purchases under the simplified procurement procedures within the financial limits established by the Budget Committee. Authority to make decisions within the assigned sub-functional area. Such decision should be coordinated within the functional area of the HQ and with the same sub-functional area in lateral, subordinate and superior HQs. Such decision may affect the commitment of the command within NATO to a course of action.

The employee may be required to perform a similar range of duties elsewhere within the organisation at the same grade without there being any change to the contract

The incumbent may be required to undertake deployments in support of military operations and exercises, and/or TDY assignments, both within and without NATO boundaries up to 30 days.

The work is normally performed in a Normal NATO office working environment.

Normal Working Conditions apply.

The risk of injury is categorised as: No Risk

3. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential Requirements

University Degree in supply chain management, commercial and mercantile law, logistics, inventory management, procurement or related discipline and 2 years function 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 .

Extensive experience in management of, or provision of advice on, the procurement of goods and services.

Professional experience in acquisition processes in a senior management position.

Experience in negotiating with suppliers.

Experience in reviewing, managing and approving purchase orders.

Experience in supervising and administering bid solicitations, negotiations and awards.

Must have an English Standard Language Proficiency level of “ “professional” in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing (SLP 3322 based on NATO standards).

Desirable Requirements

A university degree or certificate in business administration, management, or a related field.

Prior contracting experience at management level.

A comprehensive understanding of operational logistics.

Experience in financial management positions, supply management, or logistics.

Formal training in the technical aspects of acquisition and logistics.

NATO-ACO Contingency Contracting Course

Joint Operations Logistics Course

Resource Management Education Programme (RMEP) Course

NATO Staff Officer Orientation Course

4. POSITION AND CANDIDATE PROFILE

Personal attributes

Although ample guidance is available from the chain of command as well as from the NATO Financial Regulations, ACO directives, precedent and official policy, the incumbent of this post must have analytical skills and a broad experience in NATO procurement and contracting, in order to recommend optimum solutions to a variety of contract releated issues. Independent judgement is required in the analysis of non-recurring and changing issues. The formulation of recommended solutions includes the application and modification of existing procedures, as well as the development of new procedures and directives/supplements. An effective supervision of the contract preparation cycle for JFC HQ, collocated commands, multinational, operational and JFC HQ, requires the incumbent to have leadership qualities and the ability to foster teamwork. He/she must be aware of management concerns (management identification) and be able to appreciate and exercise the appropriate controls to ensure that assigned goals are reached within the parameters established by applicable regulations and policy (management control).

Managerial Responsabilities

Incumbent will be expected to manage the financial implications of tasks assigned to the Host Nation Contractors and to elements of this Headquarters deployed in support of NATO Operations.

Professional contacts

Internal contacts at all managerial levels of the command ranging inclusive of Division Head and up to Chief of Staff level. Contacts with higher Headquarters, Host Nation Govermental Agencies and various Representative of major Companies.

Supervisory Responsabilities

Performs key roles in directing, guiding and leading staff towards achievement of assigned tasks and responsibilities, which includes the assignment of priorities.

Contribution to the objectives

The incumbent plays a major role in the successful execution of the international budgets throught the Contracting tools providing an important contribution to the achievement of the Command’s objectives.

5. CONTRACT

The successful candidate will receive a three-year definite duration contract which may be followed by an indefinite duration contract. NATO-serving staff members will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations (NCPRs).

The basic entry-level monthly salary for a NATO Grade G15 in Italy is Euro 5378.03 which may be augmented by allowances based on the selected staff member’s eligibility, and which is subject to the withholding of approximately 20% for pension and medical insurance contributions.

6. HOW TO APPLY:

1. HQ JFC Naples uses NATO Talent Acquisition Platform (NTAP), TALEO.

In order to apply for this vacancy, please visit the platform at: https://nato.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en , and search for vacancies within the Headquarters of interest.

2. Essential information must be included in the application form. Each question should be answered thoroughly. Expressions such as “please see attached CV”, or invitations to follow links to personal webpages, are not acceptable, and will be disregarded. Application forms must be filled out in English.

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

4. Shortlisted candidates invited to the interview phase, will be requested to provide, where applicable, copies of University diplomas listing the exams sustained, transcripts (that is, list of courses with grades and dates), for all pertinent university and vocational training courses.

5. Candidates’ individual telephone or email enquiries about the submission of their applications cannot be dealt with. All candidates will receive a message indicating the outcome of their application.

Note that once you create your profile, you will be able to use it on NTAP to apply for other vacancies within NATO.

Employment pre-requisites :

Candidates are invited to submit their applications only if:

· They are nationals of a NATO member country

· They are over 21 and under 60 years of age at the time of taking up their appointments. Appointments of definite duration may be offered to candidates of 60 years of age or more, provided that the expiry date of the contract is not later than the date at which the candidate attains the age of 65.

Additional information:

A NATO security clearance and approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser are essential conditions for appointment to this post. Applicants are not required to possess a clearance at the time of applying, but they must be eligible for a clearance. HQ JFC Naples/NAGSF Sigonella will take action to obtain the required security clearance from the successful candidates’ national authorities.