- SHAPE
- Brussels, Belgium (Remote)
- Full-time
Contracting Officer
- SHAPE
Brussels, Belgium
Full-time
Published:
Application Deadline: April 16, 2025
- SHAPE
Brussels, Belgium
Full-time
Published:
Application Deadline: April 16, 2025
POST CONTEXT/POST SUMMARY:
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) provides an integrated Strategic Effects framework, employing a multi-domain and multi-region focus to create a 360- degree approach, with the flexibility to enable, upon direction, a seamless transition from Baseline Activities and Current Operations (BACO) up to the Maximum Level of Effort (MLE). SHAPE supports SACEUR in fulfilling his terms of reference, as directed by the North Atlantic Council.
The Finance and Acquisition Directorate Is responsible for all international and multinational appropriated and non-appropriated funds in ACO. The responsibility encompasses supervision and oversight of subordinate ACO commands and development of financial and acquisition policies. The Directorate represents SHAPE/ACO in the Budget Committee, participates in the development of international agreements and the annual Consolidated Resource Plan (CRP), and advises/assists the SHAPE Command Group with respect to Military Budget-funded requirements. The Directorate plans and executes the annual ACO military budget with the contracting, finance and accounting, and cash management it entails whilst ensuring coordination with external entities is observed.
The ACO Acquisition Management Branch performs delegated financial controller functions for the SHAPE HQ installation, ACO centralised budgets, ACO-wide programmes.
The SHAPE Contract Management Section competes, awards and administers local contracts in support of base support activities and specific SHAPE customer requirements.
The incumbent functions as a Contracting Officer with an unlimited warrant, providing acquisition support to the SHAPE Headquarters.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES:
The incumbent's duties are:
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.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND ADDITIONAL DUTIES:
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 180 days. The employee may be required to perform a similar range of duties elsewhere within the organization at the same grade without there being any change to the contract.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Essential
Professional/Experience
Education/Training
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.
Language
Desirable
Professional Experience
Education/Training
ATTRIBUTES/COMPETENCIES:
Personal Attributes
The incumbent will need to display a high degree of professionalism and technical expertise in performance of his acquisition duties. As the incumbent’s decisions and actions are financially and legally binding to SHAPE, he/she must exercise excellent judgement, while acting with persuasion and diplomacy, in order to achieve results which safeguard NATO’s financial interests and image.
He/she will need to be aware of the legal and economic aspects of every potential transaction. In his/her work, the incumbent must demonstrate a high energy level, hgfdhpersonal integrity, and a sense of loyalty to the organisation. He/she must have strong ethics and sound business judgement for working in a P&C Office.
Professional Contacts
The incumbent carries the overall responsibility for the assigned procurement actions; this responsibility is not transferable. He/she will however, transfer the authority for general administration to selected buyers, contract administrators and accounting clerks, and supervise these in the execution of their specific duties.
Contribution To Objectives
It is the incumbent’s responsibility to contribute to ensuring that in peacetime and crisis situations, appropriate goods and services required for SACEUR’s missions are obtained in the most economical and timely manner. Failure to achieve this not only impacts the capability of others to perform their tasks, but also results in the lapse of critically needed funds. Displays for SHAPE the image of a recommendable contracting party, through fair negotiations and strict adherence to the contractual provisions.
REMARKS:
Duration of contract: Serving staff members will be offered a contract according to the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations (NCPR). Newly recruited staff will be offered a definite duration contract of three years normally followed by an indefinite duration contract.
The salary will be the basic entry-level monthly salary defined by the NATO Grade of the post, 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.
NATO is committed to diversity and inclusion, and strives to provide equal access to employment, advancement, and retention, independent of gender, age, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, cultural background, sexual orientation, and disability. NATO welcomes applications of nationals from all member Nations.
Building integrity is a key element of NATO’s core tasks. As an employer, NATO values commitment to the principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability in accordance with international norms and practices established for the defence and related security sector. Selected candidates are expected to be role models of integrity, and to promote good governance through ongoing efforts in their work.
Applicants who prove to be competent for the post but who are not successful in this competition may be offered an appointment in another post of a similar nature, which might become vacant in the near future, albeit at the same or lower grade, provided they meet the necessary requirements.
We believe that all people are capable of great things. Because of this, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all of the criteria listed within this job description.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A NATO CIVILIAN POST AT SHAPE:
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.
More information to be found on these links:
Shortlisted candidates will be requested to provide original documentary evidence and a set of copies supporting statements in their applications. Appointment is subject to obtaining a security clearance and a medical certificate.
Remarks
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) provides an integrated Strategic Effects framework, employing a multi-domain and multi-region focus to create a 360- degree approach, with the flexibility to enable, upon direction, a seamless transition from Baseline Activities and Current Operations (BACO) up to the Maximum Level of Effort (MLE). SHAPE supports SACEUR in fulfilling his terms of reference, as directed by the North Atlantic Council.
The Finance and Acquisition Directorate Is responsible for all international and multinational appropriated and non-appropriated funds in ACO. The responsibility encompasses supervision and oversight of subordinate ACO commands and development of financial and acquisition policies. The Directorate represents SHAPE/ACO in the Budget Committee, participates in the development of international agreements and the annual Consolidated Resource Plan (CRP), and advises/assists the SHAPE Command Group with respect to Military Budget-funded requirements. The Directorate plans and executes the annual ACO military budget with the contracting, finance and accounting, and cash management it entails whilst ensuring coordination with external entities is observed.
The ACO Acquisition Management Branch performs delegated financial controller functions for the SHAPE HQ installation, ACO centralised budgets, ACO-wide programmes.
The SHAPE Contract Management Section competes, awards and administers local contracts in support of base support activities and specific SHAPE customer requirements.
The incumbent functions as a Contracting Officer with an unlimited warrant, providing acquisition support to the SHAPE Headquarters.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES:
The incumbent's duties are:
- As a NATO Contracting Officer with an unlimited Warrant for portfolios as assigned by the ACO Head of Contracts;
- Reviews, edits, and ultimately approves the wording of technical specifications to be used in solicitations performed within his/her portfolio;
- Screens requests for deviations from standard procurement procedures, and arranges appropriate approvals as required to support mission requirements;
- Approves bidding instructions and contract clauses to be applied to all solicitations performed - Chairs bidders’ conferences, site surveys, inspections, progress review meetings, and other contractual events;
- Leads the execution of formal and international competitive bidding procedures;
- Coordinates and oversees inputs to the Contract Award Committee (CAC) and facilitates contractor selection decisions;
- Is responsible for the evaluation of bids and execution of Contract Award Committee’s decisions;
- Enters into contractual obligations on behalf of SHAPE;
- Settles contractor disputes/claims in a manner consistent with contractual obligations, and in keeping with SHAPE’s best (financial and “end-user”) interests. Coordinates with the Legal Office as required;
- Is responsible for the management and maintenance of the relationship between the organization and the supplier.
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.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND ADDITIONAL DUTIES:
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 180 days. The employee may be required to perform a similar range of duties elsewhere within the organization at the same grade without there being any change to the contract.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Essential
Professional/Experience
- At least 2 years of prior contracting experience at the contracts management level;
- 2 years professional acquisition experience in a position leading and improving the procurement activity, negotiating complex contracts associated with basic knowledge of international contract and business law.
Education/Training
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.
Language
- English - SLP 3333 (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing);
- French - SLP 3322 (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).
Desirable
Professional Experience
- Acquisition management, Contract law, Contract administration;
- Experience in processing complex, urgent and sensitive requisitions (requirements and costs) for a wide variety of goods, services and engineering works coupled with demonstrated ability to negotiate, execute competitive bidding procedures, award and administer contracts, and effectively prosecute contractor claims and related disputes;
- Experience in contracting for Cyber related services would be highly desirable;
- Experience in translating complex, urgent and sensitive technical or operational requirements into commercially adequate invitations for bids;
- 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.
Education/Training
- Formal training or experience in automated acquisition management systems, purchasing application software (ORACLE or SAP).
ATTRIBUTES/COMPETENCIES:
Personal Attributes
The incumbent will need to display a high degree of professionalism and technical expertise in performance of his acquisition duties. As the incumbent’s decisions and actions are financially and legally binding to SHAPE, he/she must exercise excellent judgement, while acting with persuasion and diplomacy, in order to achieve results which safeguard NATO’s financial interests and image.
He/she will need to be aware of the legal and economic aspects of every potential transaction. In his/her work, the incumbent must demonstrate a high energy level, hgfdhpersonal integrity, and a sense of loyalty to the organisation. He/she must have strong ethics and sound business judgement for working in a P&C Office.
Professional Contacts
The incumbent carries the overall responsibility for the assigned procurement actions; this responsibility is not transferable. He/she will however, transfer the authority for general administration to selected buyers, contract administrators and accounting clerks, and supervise these in the execution of their specific duties.
Contribution To Objectives
It is the incumbent’s responsibility to contribute to ensuring that in peacetime and crisis situations, appropriate goods and services required for SACEUR’s missions are obtained in the most economical and timely manner. Failure to achieve this not only impacts the capability of others to perform their tasks, but also results in the lapse of critically needed funds. Displays for SHAPE the image of a recommendable contracting party, through fair negotiations and strict adherence to the contractual provisions.
REMARKS:
Duration of contract: Serving staff members will be offered a contract according to the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations (NCPR). Newly recruited staff will be offered a definite duration contract of three years normally followed by an indefinite duration contract.
The salary will be the basic entry-level monthly salary defined by the NATO Grade of the post, 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.
NATO is committed to diversity and inclusion, and strives to provide equal access to employment, advancement, and retention, independent of gender, age, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, cultural background, sexual orientation, and disability. NATO welcomes applications of nationals from all member Nations.
Building integrity is a key element of NATO’s core tasks. As an employer, NATO values commitment to the principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability in accordance with international norms and practices established for the defence and related security sector. Selected candidates are expected to be role models of integrity, and to promote good governance through ongoing efforts in their work.
Applicants who prove to be competent for the post but who are not successful in this competition may be offered an appointment in another post of a similar nature, which might become vacant in the near future, albeit at the same or lower grade, provided they meet the necessary requirements.
We believe that all people are capable of great things. Because of this, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all of the criteria listed within this job description.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A NATO CIVILIAN POST AT SHAPE:
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.
More information to be found on these links:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoP9YmLG7k8;
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FIWZGpLHUM.
Shortlisted candidates will be requested to provide original documentary evidence and a set of copies supporting statements in their applications. Appointment is subject to obtaining a security clearance and a medical certificate.
Remarks
- Only nationals from the 32 NATO member states can apply for vacancies at SHAPE;
- 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;
- Qualified redundant staff of the same grade interested in this post should inform this office, via their HR/Personnel Office by not later than vacancy’s closing date;
- NATO will not accept any phase of the recruitment and selection prepared, in whole or in part, by means of generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots, such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (Chat GPT), or other language generating tools. NATO reserves the right to screen applications to identify the use of such tools. All applications prepared, in whole or in part, by means of such generative or creative AI applications may be rejected without further consideration at NATO’s sole discretion, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.
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