Branch Head (Purchasing & Contracting)

Post Context

ACT contributes to preserving the peace, security and territorial integrity of Alliance member states by leading, at Strategic Command level, Warfare Development required to enhance NATO’s posture, military structures, forces, capabilities and doctrines.

The Finance and Acquisition Directorate is the executive agent for HQ SACT, JALLC, JWC, JATEC, JFTC and subordinate SACT elements (STRE and SEE) in all matters of budget, finance and acquisition policy and execution.

The Head (Purchasing and Contracting) is responsible for all procurement functions for all ACT Headquarters, agencies and programmes. The postholder leads the ACT Purchasing and Contracting Branch and provides functional oversight and professional leadership of a wider Contracting workforce in subordinate Commands.

Principal Duties:

• On behalf of the ACT Financial Controller, exercise day-to-day strategic oversight and technical supervision of the procurement function at all ACT headquarters.
• Represent ACT in meetings on purchasing and contracts with senior officials from NATO, nations and industry.
• Translate NATO procurement policy and instructions from the resource committees into directives and procedures applicable to all ACT Headquarters and Bodies.
• Develop and/or approve bidding instructions and contractual clauses and determine ACT-wide implementation and enforcement of these, in close co-ordination with the ACT Legal Advisor.
• Harmonise procurement practices on an ACT-wide basis, monitor the performance of the ACT P&C offices and take appropriate measures to ensure that the highest quality of support is provided. Provide liaison/co-ordination with other Military Budget Holders, NATO agencies and ACT subordinate commands in the improvement/harmonisation of working methods and procurement policies.
• Develop, co-ordinate and implement common Bi-SC acquisition rules and procedures.
• Negotiate procurement support agreements with other NATO nations and decide on the eligibility of potential beneficiaries of these.
• On behalf of the ACT Financial Controller and SACT, provide representation before the nations as represented on the funding committees on procurement issues.
• Direct the development, co-ordination, and publication of doctrine (i.e. GOPs, JLPs, AJP etc.) relating to procurement support of peacetime, crisis, and non-Article 5 operations and exercises.
• Review requests for exceptions to normal bidding procedures and provide expert advice to the ACT Financial Controller on preparing appropriate responses.
• Establish the ACT-wide criteria for the recruitment of civilian P&C officers and, as a member of Selection Boards, participate in their selection.
• Review proposals for Contracting Officer appointments and endorses warrant proposals.
• Organise and chair professional development workshops and seminars for the NATO procurement community.
• In response to tasking, 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 as necessary. Perform ad-hoc analyses and administers special projects as tasked.
• 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, including the following tasks:
  • Obtains waivers from procurement directives in order to meet mission requirements.
  • Co-ordinates appropriate staffing of deployed contracting offices, maintaining liaison with NATO and national workforce officials.

As HQ SACT Head of Contracts, he/she:

• Directs and administers all procurement activity at HQ SACT, irrespective of the funding source.
• Oversees 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, personally executing sensitive procurement actions as required.
• Monitors HQ actively to detect instances of unauthorized procurements. Investigates alleged incidents, and makes recommendations regarding ratification and disciplinary action, if appropriate.
• In co-ordination with the ACT Financial Controller and the HQ SACT Legal Advisor, determines appropriate courses of action involving contract disputes. Negotiates out-of-court settlement of disputes with contractors or national support organisations. Initiates legal action as required and supports the HQ SACT legal staff during case proceedings.
• Reviews proposed customer funded taskings to external agencies and identifies commercial alternatives.
• Acts as HQ SACT Customs Liaison Officer, oversees international importation activity on behalf of the HQ.
• Screens all requests from commercial firms for sales presentations and briefings at HQ SACT and makes recommendations regarding which presentations should be authorised.
• 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 for contracts originated in the area of responsibility.
•  Maintains Invitation for International Competitive bidding and Notification of Intent database for annual submission to BC.

 Essential Qualifications / 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.
• You should have an intimate knowledge of and experience with negotiation, award and administration of contracts, negotiated procurement, competitive bidding procedures, and resolution of claims/disputes.
• A minimum of 6-8 years managerial and supervisory experience

Language:

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

Desirable Qualifications / Experience:

• Knowledge of NATO Financial Regulations and associated procurement directives.
• Experience in contracting involving military or international organizations.
• Knowledge of Host Nation contract law.
• Previous staff experience in joint and/or multi-national HQ.
• Resource Management Education Programme (RMEP) Course provided by NATO - School Oberammergau (NSO)
• French SLP 2222 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). 

Attributes/Competencies:

Personal Attributes:

• Well organised.
• Self-starter.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• High standards of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently in an international environment. Personal qualities of good judgement, tact and adaptability. Required sense of diplomacy and propriety in order to work harmoniously with military and civilian staff of various NATO nations and industrial organizations. Ability to resolve conflicts in a conciliatory manner. Incumbent must be in good health willing to work flexible hours as required and be willing to travel occasionally.
• The Head (Purchasing and Contracting) is the senior contracting specialist in the Headquarters, and is therefore is the subject matter expert to provide advice to the Financial Controller. As such, must have broad experience, training and technical knowledge in order to oversee these critical functions.
• Must have an intimate knowledge of, and experience with, negotiation, award, and administration of contracts, negotiated procurement, competitive bidding procedures, and resolution of claims / disputes.
• The Head (Purchasing and Contracting) actions must be in the highest regard for safeguarding the Nation’s financial interests, ensuring the best value for their resources, and accomplishing the mission of the Strategic Command.

Managerial Responsibilities:

• You will be required to supervise, direct and coordinate work priorities of the branch, providing professional guidance and instruction to assigned staff. Duties include leading and coaching; explaining or demonstrating work functions; counselling and motivating, assigning and reviewing work; ensuring health and environmental safety; maintaining and adjusting work schedules; assessing performance and initiating disciplinary action, and/or implementing new or changed work procedures

Professional Contacts:

• The Head (Purchasing and Contracting) must often represent SACT and the ACT Financial Controller on procurement issues with senior officials from NATO, the Nations and Industry. The Head of Purchasing and Contracting also serves on Technical Review Boards, selection boards, Bi-SC procurement meetings, development workshops, seminars, and representation to military committees on procurement issues.

Contribution To Objectives:

• The success of the Headquarters directly relies on the execution of the Purchasing and Contracting Division., All ACT requirements are procured through the Purchasing and Contracting process. The ability to accomplish the Commands’ goals, objectives and priorities rests with the ability of the Purchasing and Contracting Office to execute its mission in the most efficient manner possible. The Head of Purchasing and Contracting’s actions must be in the highest regard for safeguarding the Nation’s financial interests, ensuring the best value for their resources, and accomplishing the mission of the Strategic Command.

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.

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 HQ SACT web site 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 G20 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 13 September 2025 @ 17:59hrs (EDT)/11:59hrs (CEST).