Senior Contracting Officer

Spektrum supports apex purchasers (NATO, UN, EU, and National Government and Defence) and their Tier 1 supplier ecosystem with a wide range of specialist services. We provide our clients with professional services, specialised aerospace and defence sales, delivery, and operational subject matter expertise. We are looking for personnel to join our team and support key client projects.

Who we are supporting

The NATO Communication and Information Agency (NCIA) is responsible for providing secure and effective communications and information technology (IT) services to NATO's member countries and its partners. The agency was established in 2012 and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

The NCIA provides a wide range of services, including:

• Cyber Security: The NCIA provides advanced cybersecurity solutions to protect NATO's communication networks and information systems against cyber threats.
• Command and Control Systems: The NCIA develops and maintains the systems used by NATO's military commanders to plan and execute operations.
• Satellite Communications: The NCIA provides satellite communications services to enable secure and reliable communications between NATO forces.
• Electronic Warfare: The NCIA provides electronic warfare services to support NATO's mission to detect, deny, and defeat threats to its communication networks.
• Information Management: The NCIA manages NATO's information technology infrastructure, including its databases, applications, and servers.

Overall, the NCIA plays a critical role in ensuring the security and effectiveness of NATO's communication and information technology capabilities.

The program

Assistance and Advisory Service (AAS)

The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) is NATO’s principal C3 capability deliverer and CIS service provider. It provides, maintains and defends the NATO enterprise-wide information technology infrastructure to enable Allies to consult together under Article IV, and, when required, stand together in the face of attack under Article V.

To provide these critical services, in the modern evolving dynamic environment the NCI Agency needs to build and maintain high performance-engaged workforce. The NCI Agency workforce strategically consists of three major categorise's: NATO International Civilians (NIC)'s, Military (Mil), and Interim Workforce Consultants (IWC)'s. The IWCs are a critical part of the overall NCI Agency workforce and make up approximately 15 percent of the total workforce.

Role ID – C004681

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• Manages tender, evaluation and acquisition processes.
• Researches suppliers and markets, and maintains a broad understanding of the commercial environment, to inform and develop commercial strategies and sourcing plans.
• Advises on the business case for alternative sourcing models.
• Advises on policy and procedures covering tendering, the selection of suppliers and procurement.
• Negotiates with potential partners and suppliers, developing acceptance criteria and procedures.
• Oversees and measures the fulfilment of contractual obligations.
• Uses key performance indicators to monitor and challenge performance and identify opportunities for continual improvement.
• Develops strategies to address under-performance and compliance failures, including the application of contract terms.
• Reviews and ensures compliance with relevant organizational and legal policies and procedures.
• Works with various complex procurement programs and activities in the organization.
• Builds key relationships and dependencies with other business functions and providers.
• Records documents of purchasing tasks and activities, such as orders, bidding.
• Uses available procurement systems and tools.
• Ensures compliance with procurement regulations and contract specifications.

Essential Skills, Experience and Certifications

• A demonstrated passionate interest and experience on leading and optimizing complex Acquisition, Procurement and Contractual matters, acquired in a large International Institution (such as NATO, UN, EU, National MoD(s) etc…) or a large International private company
• Appropriate level experience at a significant level of responsibility (e.g., Contracts Manager, Procuring Contracting Officer) in performing both pre-award and post-award contracting functions for high value contracts for complex systems level acquisitions;
• Thorough understanding of, competitive and sole source procurement principles and practices, negotiation skills, cost and price analysis techniques, contract law, contract administration, industry practices and fundamental logistic principles and their applications;
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision directly with a project manager on a complex, large systems level acquisition;
• Proven ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with experience in providing presentations and briefs to upper management.
• Experience in use of automated tools (e.g. E-procurement applications, Procurement ERPs, automation tools and Procure to Pay processes).

Desirable Skills, Experience and Certifications

• Working in the Public / Private Commercial environment sector;
• Prior experience of working in an international environment comprising both military and civilian elements.
• Knowledge of NATO responsibilities and organization

Highly Desirable

• ICT,
• AI,
• Cloud capabilities,
• Secure data environments,
• Next-generation digital services.
• If you answered "yes" to the Categories above, please briefly describe your experience (max 100 words) per Category in your application.

Education

• A minimum requirement of a Bachelor's degree at a nationally recognised/certified University in a related discipline and 3 years post-related experience or exceptionally, the lack of a university/college degree may be compensated by the demonstration of a candidate's particular abilities or experience that is/are of interest to NCI Agency; that is, at least 10 years extensive and progressive expertise in the duties related to the function of the post.

Language Proficiency

• Most of the work of the NCI Agency is conducted in the English language.

Working Location

• Brussels, Belgium

Working Policy

• On-site

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance