Senior Buyer

Post Context

Headquarters Allied Joint Force Command Norfolk (JFCNF) provides a resilient, static Joint headquarters to plan, prepare and conduct operations across all domains in peacetime, crisis and conflict, in order to support NATO’s three core tasks, at the Joint Operational level, as directed by SACEUR.

The Finance Directorate (J8) is responsible for all financial management operations and the correct application of all appropriated and non-appropriated funds approved for use by JFCNF.

The Purchasing Contracting and Budget Branch is responsible for the full spectrum of contracting activities in accordance with Articles III and XXXII of the Financial Rules.

The incumbent functions as a Contracting Officer with an unlimited warrant, providing acquisition support to JFCNF.

Principal Duties:

• Purchases, rents or hires services and merchandise for the Base and support elements. (Supplies can be routine or unique-one-of-a-kind-items that require finding of source to develop the product or unusual security enforcement items and foreign-made items)
• Upon receipt of purchase requests, decides on the proper course of action, including identifying the supplier source, drafting shipping instructions, general provisions and legal clauses needed for the full processing of contract award.
• Analyses market trends, negotiates favourable terms, and maintains current knowledge of a wide variety of dissimilar products and services.
• Researches items nationally and abroad.
• Advises customers on cost effectiveness of materials/services required.
• Reports to possible concerned parties on new productions/services proposed to the branch.
• Undertakes work as part of a project team or working group as directed or assigned.
• Provides reach-back effective contracting support to NATO Council-Approved mission, when required.
• Proactively participates in defining, mitigating and managing the risks within the functional area of responsibility in the Finance Directorate/J8 and actively contributes to implement and maintain the internal control framework of the Finance Directorate/J8.

Essential Qualifications / Experience:

• Higher Secondary education and completed higher vocational training  in accounting, finance, management, business administration, public administration, engineering, economics, operations research, business process engineering or related discipline  leading to a formal technical or professional certification with 3 years function related experience, or Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training  in that discipline leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 5 years post related experience.
• At least three years professional experience in acquisition processes and contracting.
• Wide experience in office communication and information systems.
• High level of organisational, coordination and communication skills.

Language:

English - SLP 3333 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

Desirable Qualifications / Experience:

• A comprehensive understanding of operational logistics.
• Experience includes financial management, supply management, or logistics.
• CNAFS/FinS Purchasing training – SHAPE Financial Management Systems (BE).

Attributes/Competencies:

Personal Attributes:

• Inter-personal sensitivity, diplomacy, courtesy and tact, along with strong good communication skills, are essential to interaction at all levels, within and without the organisation. Fluency and clarity of expression, both oral and written, characterise the incumbent. Professional judgement and initiative is required to develop and propose policy in new areas of professional competence.
• In addition to integrity, flexibility, and discretion, the incumbent must possess planning and organising, and critical thinking skills, and commitment. Must be able to set priorities. Frequently works under pressure, works long/irregular hours, and carries high workload. Exercises judgment in determining appropriate procurement methodology, in advising activities on acceptable courses of action, in making award recommendations.

Managerial Responsibilities:

• Performs key roles in directing, guiding and leading staff towards achievement of assigned tasks and responsibilities, which includes the assignment of priorities for contract formulation, execution and administration and the planning and execution of the section for exercises and real world contingencies.

Professional Contacts:

• Executes duties and functions requiring frequent internal and external high-level contact including co-ordination and negotiation with senior civilian and military.
• Deals with a variety of staff involved in procurement activities like Fund Managers, Companies and Sale Department Managers, national elements of all countries represented at HQ and collocated and subordinate commands. 
• Interacts with national representatives during the negotiation of reimbursable procurement agreements and associated payments. When dealing with suppliers or commercial firms the incumbent should prove sound communication skill and mastery of commercial practices ranging from custom procedures to cost effectiveness.

Contribution To Objectives:

• Contributes to effective and efficient procurement management, participating in solving financial problems of international funds on behalf of NATO nations and military commanders.
• Contributes to mission objectives by establishing, monitoring and improving the supply and procurement procedures, in monitoring and simplifying internal procedures, in carrying out cost effective commitments which meet funds approved limits. The purchasing and contracting branch also provides direct supports of smooth, daily operational mission objectives through support to various peace-time and deployed Headquarters activities, exercises activities, which frequently are contacted out of country. Failure to fully achieve success in all aspects of this effort would have a negative effect on achievement of the Commander’s plans, policies, and objectives

Security Clearance

The successful applicant will be required to apply for and receive a NATO Secret Security Clearance prior to final confirmation of contract and commencement of employment.

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. Such operational deployment may exceed 30 days duration up to 183 days in any period of 547 days and may be on short notice. For NATO International Civilian staff, acceptance of an employment contract linked to this post constitutes agreement to deploy in excess of 30 days if required.

Contract

• Serving NATO International Civilian staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations. 
• Newly recruited staff will be offered a three year definite duration contract.

Notes for Candidates

The JFC Norfolk Website gives full details on the eligibility criteria and application processes to be adopted by all candidates.  However, candidates should particularly note:

Please answer each of the pre-screening questions completely in English. Expressions such as: “please see attached CV, please see annex, please see enclosed document, etc” are not acceptable; this is a cause of immediate rejection of the application.

Particular attention should be given to Education and Experience section of your application form, which should be populated with details of your career to date and educational achievements and certifications as they relate to your application.

The candidature of NATO redundant staff at grade G12 will be considered with priority.

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.

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 and strongly encourages women to apply.

This vacancy will close on 4 July 2025 @ 17:59hrs (EDT)/11:59hrs (CEST).