NMI Consultant - Staff Officer (Contracting)

LOCATION:  HQ JFC Naples, Italy

 BRANCH: NMI J8

TITLE: NMI Staff Officer (Contracting)

GRADE:  A-2 equivalent  

SECURITY CLEARANCE: NATO  S  E C  R   E T 

A.  INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND 

NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) Headquarters (HQ) is subordinated to Joint Force Command Naples (JFCNP) HQ.  The JFCNP Financial Controller/Director of Finance (J8), in his role of NMI Operational Financial Controller, directs, oversees, and has the responsibility of all financial management, budget, accounting, and contracting activities in support of NMI.  Under the direction of the Financial Controller, the appointed NMI Staff Officer (Contracting), will be responsible to the NMI Commander on all matters with procurement implications.  The NMI J8 Branch is responsible to the NMI Commander for ensuring advise on all financial matters. 

The NMI J8 Branch is responsible for identifying, implementing and sustaining resources requirements, in coordination with military and non-military actors, in support of operations.

Following the approval of NMI CE 22.0, a new NMI J8 structure was implemented to face the incremental requirements of the future expanded NMI (eNMI) mission.

The in-theatre NMI J8 Organization is to be supported by an ad-hoc NMI J8 Contingency Operations Cell, established at HQ JFCNP, to provide the bond between the Strategic, Operational, and Tactical level HQs to grant a smooth application of the NATO Financial rules.  The NMI Contingency Operations Cell is designed to cover Budget, Procurements, and Fiscal activities in full and to directly support the NMI Mission. 

The Cell reports to the NMI Operational Financial Controller through the respective JFCNP Financial Directorate (J8) Branches. 

B.  OBJECTIVE

There is a requirement to engage one Consultant, Grade A-2 equivalent, to perform duties as NMI Staff Officer (Contracting).

C.  PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The NMI Staff Officer (Contracting) will be required to work as a Consultant for a period of approximately six months.

D.  PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The NMI Staff Officer (Contracting) will be required to perform his/her consultancy duties at HQ JFCNP, based in Lago Patria.

E.  REPORTING LINE

The NMI Staff Officer (Contracting) reports to NMI Operational Financial Controller through JFCNP FINDIR (J8) Purchasing and Contracting Branch Head.

F.  WORK DUTIES

• Provides functional direction and guidance and continuity to the following NMI P&C Staff:  1 x OF-3; 1 x OR-9; 2 x OR-8.
• Administers International and Sealed bid solicitations, negotiates and awards contracts, administers contract actions, certifies vendor compliance, and processes payments.
• Manages Purchase Orders tasking to other NATO Organizations/Agencies.
• Contributes in developing technical specifications and contracts for procurement actions, and coordinates bidding activities.
• Coordinates with the Legal Office on all assessments and interpretations of laws pertaining to contractual activities.
• Negotiates settlements of disputes, assists requirement holders to develop technical specifications and contracts for procurement actions, and coordinates bidding activities.
• Reviews and evaluates NATO service support provided by other NATO Agencies and National agreements.
• Performs comprehensive Contracting Officer responsibilities.
• Finalize and approve Contract Purchase Agreement and Purchase Orders within the automated NATO Financial System (FINS).

G.  ADDITIONAL DUTIES

The incumbent may be required to deploy on operational tasks or to undertake operational TDY assignments elsewhere.  The work is normally performed in a normal NATO office-working environment.  Normal working conditions apply.  The risk of injury is categorized as NO RISK.  Risk might increase when deployed.

Additional Managerial Responsibilities

The incumbent will be expected to manage the financial implications of tasks assigned in support of NMI.

Budget Authority

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.

Legal Authority

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 required the incumbent to be suitably qualified to be appointed with an unlimited warrant in order to exercise the legal authority as authorized by the Command.

Decision Authority

Decision authority is held: In the exercise of a warrant, a duly appointed NMI Staff Officer (Contracting), 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.

H.  ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

University Degree in procurement, commercial law, supply chain management, inventory management logistic or related discipline, and 4 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 6 years post related and 3 years function-related experience.

The management of, or provision of, advice on the procurement of goods and services.

Professional experience in acquisition processes in a senior management position.

Professional experience in placing contracts, implementing, maintaining and disseminating procurement strategies, policies, standards and processes.

Professional experience in drafting contract terms and conditions, and developing acceptance procedures.

Experience in a financial management position, supply management or logistics.

Availability to travel to NMI Theatre (Iraq) on a frequent basis.

Must have English Standard Language Proficiency level of “Professional” in listening, speaking, reading, and writing (SLP 3333 based on NATO standards). 

  DESIRABLE ASSETS

 University Degree or certificate in Business Administration, Management, or related field.

 Prior contracting experience

Comprehensive understanding of operational logistics

Formal Training in the technical aspects of acquisition and logistics.

Experience in NATO organization and knowledge of NATO procurement directives.

Experience in NATO Financial System (FINS) automated process.

 Italian Standard Language Proficiency level of “Functional” in speaking, reading, writing listening, (SLP 2222 based on NATO standards). 

NATO Courses:

P8-141 NATO-ACO Contingency Contracting course;

ADL 116 Resource Management Education Programme (NU) course;

ADL 171 Gender Focal Point

ADL 169 Improving Operational Effectiveness by integrating gender perspective (JKO new version).

ADL 336 NATO Building Integrity Awareness

M5-32 NATO Staff Officer Orientation course.

Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR)

  .  CANDIDATE PROFILE 

 The Consultant must have analytical skills and broad experience in NATO procurement and contracting. 

Independent judgment is required in the analysis of non-recurring and changing issues.

The incumbent must have leadership qualities and the ability to foster teamwork.

He/She must be aware of management concerns and be able to appreciate and exercise the appropriate control to ensure that assigned goals are reached.

 Professional contacts 

The Consultant maintains regular internal professional contacts at all managerial levels of the command, ranging from Division Heads and up to COS level. 

 Contribution to the objectives 

 The Staff Officer (Contracting) plays a major role in the successful execution of the international budget through the contracting tools providing an important contribution to the achievement of the Command’s objectives

J. SECURITY

 The incumbent must possess a valid proof of a nationally issued and NATO acceptable security clearance to the minimum level of NATO SECRET.  Applicants are not required to possess a Security Clearance at the time of applying, but they must be eligible for a Clearance. HQ JFCNP will take action to obtain the required security clearance from the successful applicants’ national authorities. 

K.  HOW TO APPLY 

 In order to apply for the role of Consultant, Staff Officer (Contracting), please visit the platform at: https://nato.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en, and search for “vacancies” within HQ JFC Naples with primary duty location HQ JFC Naples, Italy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

A NATO security clearance and approval of the applicant’s medical file by the NATO Medical Advisor are essential conditions for engagement with this role.

The basic fee is €6261.59, which is not exempt from taxation. 

The basic fee may be increased, based on the incumbent’s personal status.