Overview
The Head (Purchasing and Contracting) is responsible for all procurement functions for ACT Headquarters, agencies, and programmes, providing functional oversight and professional leadership.
Key Responsibilities
- Exercise day-to-day strategic oversight and technical supervision of the procurement function.
- Represent ACT in meetings on purchasing and contracts.
- Translate NATO procurement policy into directives and procedures.
- Develop and/or approve bidding instructions and contractual clauses.
- Harmonise procurement practices and monitor performance.
- Provide liaison/co-ordination with other Military Budget Holders and NATO agencies.
- Develop, co-ordinate and implement common Bi-SC acquisition rules and procedures.
- Negotiate procurement support agreements.
- Provide representation before nations on procurement issues.
- Direct the development, co-ordination, and publication of doctrine relating to procurement support.
- Review requests for exceptions to normal bidding procedures.
- Establish ACT-wide criteria for the recruitment of civilian P&C officers and participate in selection.
- Review proposals for Contracting Officer appointments and endorse warrant proposals.
- Organise and chair professional development workshops and seminars.
- Provide technical training for personnel from subordinate Headquarters and external agencies.
- Contribute technical expertise to support courses provided at NATO schools.
- Provide technical training to PfP nation staff officers, and theatre Headquarters during operations and exercises.
- Provide technical advice and functional support to ACT Financial Controller and other members of the ACT Command Group.
- Perform ad-hoc analyses and administers special projects.
- Direct the development of the procurement aspects of ACT automated financial management systems and control the general integrity of the ACT procurement system.
- Exercise overall technical supervision of the NATO contracting function during operations and exercises.
- Obtain waivers from procurement directives.
- Co-ordinate appropriate staffing of deployed contracting offices.
- Direct and administer all procurement activity at HQ SACT.
- Oversee the effective personnel management within the P&C Branch.
- Determine HQ requirements and allocates tasks to Sections.
- Functions as a Contracting Officer with unlimited warrant.
- Monitor HQ actively to detect instances of unauthorized procurements.
- Investigate alleged incidents, and makes recommendations regarding ratification and disciplinary action.
- Determine appropriate courses of action involving contract disputes.
- Negotiate out-of-court settlement of disputes.
- Initiate legal action as required and supports the HQ SACT legal staff during case proceedings.
- Review proposed customer funded taskings to external agencies and identifies commercial alternatives.
- Acts as HQ SACT Customs Liaison Officer, oversees international importation activity.
- Screens all requests from commercial firms for sales presentations and briefings.
- Liaisons with internal and external auditors, reviewing observations, determining concurrence, and directing implementation of auditor recommendations.
- Serves as the Chair of the Headquarters’ Contract Awards Board.
- Maintains Invitation for International Competitive bidding and Notification of Intent database.
Required Experience
- University Degree and 6 years post related experience, or Higher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 6 years post related and 2 years function related experience.
- Minimum of five years’ experience in management of a government or commercial contracting office and/or an acquisition program.
- 6-8 years’ experience in the field of contracting, supply, financial management, or related field.
- Possess DAWIA level II or higher accreditation or hold Chartered Membership with the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) or similar international accreditation.
- Experienced in the interpretation of laws, directives and the formulation of policies and implementation rules and procedures on matters of procurement.
- Sufficient legal knowledge to determine when legal aspects are material to procurement decisions and procedures.
- A minimum of 6-8 years managerial and supervisory experience.
- Experience in contracting involving military or international organizations.
- Previous staff experience in joint and/or multi-national HQ.
Qualifications
- University Degree or Higher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation.
- DAWIA level II or higher accreditation or Chartered Membership with the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) or similar international accreditation.
- Resource Management Education Programme (RMEP) Course provided by NATO - School Oberammergau (NSO).
