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The Senior Contracting Officer is a senior procurement and contract management role responsible for independently managing the full lifecycle of complex acquisition and contracting processes. Operating under the general direction of the Principal Contracting Officer, the incumbent exercises significant autonomy in developing commercial strategies, sourcing plans, and advising on alternative procurement models. The role encompasses end-to-end tendering, supplier evaluation, negotiation, contract administration, and performance monitoring, ensuring compliance with organizational policies, legal requirements, and best practices. The Senior Contracting Officer builds strategic relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers, oversees high-value and systems-level acquisitions, and drives continuous improvement in procurement operations.

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 Qualifications & Experience:

• 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.

• 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 Experience and Education:

• Public/Private Practitioner experience/evidences covering: ICT, AI, Cloud capabilities, Secure data environments, Next-generation digital services.

• Prior experience of working in an international environment comprising both military and civilian elements.

• Knowledge of NATO responsibilities and organization

If you've read the description and feel this role is a great match, we'd love to hear from you! Click "Apply for this job" to be directed to a brief questionnaire. It should only take a few moments to complete, and we'll be in touch promptly if your experience aligns with our needs.