Are you an experienced purchasing and contracting leader looking for a challenging opportunity to apply your expertise in an international organization Join us at NATOs Joint Warfare Centre (JWC) as the Section Head (Purchasing and Contracting) where you will lead a dedicated team in a dynamic multinational environment driving all purchasing and contracting activities. This key role places you at the core of financial management within the JWC providing an opportunity to shape and guide all procurement matters while supporting the delivery of its mission. If youre a proactive leader with at least six years of experience and a passion for international collaboration and financial stewardship we want to hear from you!

SUMMARY

The JWC plans prepares and executes static and distributed joint operational level training in support of Warfare Development and Warfighting readiness.

The Office of Budget & Finance (BUDFIN) is responsible for supervising the application and propriety of fiscal budgetary and procurement policies and controls across all organisational elements of the JWC.

The Purchasing and Contracting Section is responsible and exclusively authorized to conduct Procurement and Contracting activities including Travel Services for the JWC budgets and for funds delegated by other NATO bodies.

The incumbent has prime responsibility for all procurement and contracting activities at Joint Warfare Centre (JWC) and the NEC CCIS SSC at Kolsaas as well as responsibility for training and instruction within these addition this post is the prime BUDFIN representative for Service Level Agreements including with NCIA and the Host Nation.

REPORTS TO

Head (Budget and Finance)

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

The incumbents duties are:

The incumbent is responsible for all activities of Purchasing and Contracting at JWC. Specifically:

Leads and manages the Purchasing & Contracting office which provides purchasing and contracting services advice on all procurement matters financial management supplier contact and evaluation training market surveys and travel services.

Directs and supervises the daily work of the staff in the Purchasing & Contracting office fostering a collaborative high performing and adaptive team environment that supports innovation and continuous improvement.

Manages and executes Purchasing processes in the NATO Financial Management System including but not limited to requisitions purchase orders Blanket Purchase Agreements invoices reports.

Functions as a Contracting Officer with unlimited warrant as explicitly authorized by formal JWC Commander and Financial Controller approval personally executing sensitive procurement actions as required.

As the senior contracting advisor provide expert advice on acquisition strategies competitive sourcing and agile procurement approaches to meet evolving operational needs.

Co-ordinates user requirements by early engagement with stakeholders and assists with developing clear and measurable specifications.

Invites tenders from appropriate suppliers. Assists in the evaluation of tenders and leads negotiations with vendors when appropriate.

Acts as Secretary of the Contracts Award Committee and convenes this Committee as necessary. Prepares papers and briefings for committee to evaluate purchasing options.

As a Warranted P&C Officer the incumbent approves Purchase Orders issued on behalf of JWC.

Monitors contractor performance in terms of quality price and delivery and recommends appropriate action to protect the commercial interests of JWC.

Provides BUDFIN/P&C expertise in the development of various cooperation agreements e.g. Local Agreements Service Level agreements and Technical Agreements.

In all aspects of JWC procurement activities ensures full compliance with NATO Financial Regulations (NFR) BI-SC Directives JWC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and applicable Host Nation regulations in coordination with the Financial Controller and Legal Advisor.

Drafts local supplements to higher-level directives on purchasing and contracting operations.

Appoints Authorised Requesters (ARs) and Contracting Officers Technical Representatives (COTRs).

Responsible for the function as Credit Card Coordinator (CCC).

Contracts removal services for international civilian personnel.

Legal Authority Details: Legally accountable for obligations resulting from contracts signed in the name of the HQ.

Budget Authority Details: Holds the unlimited authority to negotiate and award contracts on behalf of the organisation. Authorised to negotiate settlement of contractual disputes.

Decision Authority Details: Authority to make decisions within the assigned sub-functional area. Such decisions should be also coordinated within the functional area of the HQ and with the same sub-functional area in lateral subordinate and superior HQs. Such decisions may affect the commitment of the command within NATO to a course of action.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Training

University Degree in supply chain management commercial and mercantile law logistics inventory management procurement or related discipline and 6 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 6 years post related and 2 years function related experience.

Experience

At least six years of experience in a financial position with professional and managerial responsibilities.

Of these six years at least three years must be in purchasing with responsibilities for negotiating commercial contracts/prices and not more than five years ago.

Hands-on experience of using a computerised financial system such as Oracle or SAP.

Language

English Upper Intermediate/Advanced

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Professional Experience

Extensive knowledge of procurement procedures in an international organisation.

Knowledge of Host Nation and/or international contractual law.

Knowledge of basic accounting and costing techniques.

Extensive training in the use of the NATO Financial System (FinS) as it relates to the P&C function in particular processing Purchase Orders.

ATTRIBUTES/COMPETENCIES

Personal Attributes: Very good interpersonal communication and negotiation skills are required and in dealing with commercial suppliers a high degree of personal integrity is essential. Maturity firmness and balanced behaviour are required. Good professional judgement is required in balancing price quality and delivery factors. Must be a skilful communicator both verbally and in writing and be able to argue diplomatically and convincingly on sensitive issues with officials of same and higher rank and to convey highly complex and technical matters. As an instructor the incumbent must be able to both produce and present information to a training audience. Good health. The incumbent must be able to work under pressure. Must be able to travel regularly on temporary duty.

Managerial Responsibilities: Enters into legal obligations on behalf of JWC when placing contracts. Provides procurement advice to the Commander managers and the staff. Provides procurement decisions on behalf of the Head of NATO body in accordance with delegated authority. Directs the operation of the Purchasing & Contracting Section. Immediate supervisory responsibility for three Procurement Assistants and their output. Manages all procurement input into NAFS. Leads supplier negotiations or other special projects as directed. Represents JWC views and policies when participating in external meetings and conferences. Assists with the growth and development of his/her staff.

Professional Contacts: Represents JWC to a broad range of commercial companies. Receives functional guidance and responds to tasks from HQ SACT Head of Contracts and coordinates regularly with P&C staff at other HQs. Exchanges information with Host Nation defence procurement agencies to obtain economies of scale for -ordinates work closely with ARs COTRs Fund Managers and BUDFIN staff. Deals with a wide range of JWC staff who have identified procurement requirements. Represents the JWC view at the Bi-SC P&C Conference.

Contribution to Objectives: Directly impacts the sustainability of JWC operations by enabling agile procurement through effective purchasing of goods and services. Assists the efficient use of international resources by skilful and cost-effective contract negotiations.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Directs and supervises the work priorities of a major unit in the HQ providing professional guidance and instruction to the staff of the organisational element. Provides general guidance and advice within the assigned sub-functional area. Dependent on requirements may be required to direct and supervise the work priorities of one or more HQ multifunctional teams.

There are first line reporting responsibilities for the following numbers of staff: 1 OF -3; 1 OR-7; 1 OR-6; 2x A2/G15; 2 B-4/G10

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work is normally performed in an office environment.

NOTE: The work both oral and written in this post and in this headquarters as a whole is conducted mainly in English.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A NATO CIVILIAN POST AT JWC:

JWC as an equal opportunities employer values diverse backgrounds and perspectives and is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and talented workforce. We welcome applications from nationals of all NATO Member States and strongly encourage women to apply.

Applications are to be submitted in English using the NATO Talent Acquisition Platform (NTAP) ( Applications submitted by other means (e.g. mail e-mail fax etc) will not be accepted.

NTAP allows for the adding of attachments. Candidates are to attach a copy of the qualification(s)/certificate(s) covering the highest level of education and vocational qualifications held to support their application.

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

Applications will not be accepted after the deadline.

Remarks:

Notes for candidates: The candidature of NATO redundant staff at grade G17 / A-3 will be considered before any other candidates.

Notes for NATO Civilian Human Resources Managers: if you have qualified redundant staff at grade G17 / A-3 who wish to be considered for this post please advise JWC Civilian HR no later than the closing date.

Contract:

The successful applicant will be offered a three year definite duration employment contract after which a further contract may be offered. Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations.

Salary:

Starting basic salary is NOK 111740.00 per month (tax-free). Additional allowances may apply depending on the personal circumstances of the successful candidate. For further details see NATO Terms & Conditions.

For any queries please contact the Joint Warfare Centre Recruitment Team at .