Job Title: Senior Contracting Officer – Complex Services (2030 P&C)
This vacancy notice is for a NATO-2030 agenda project-linked NATO International Civilian (PLN) post.This post is limited to a 15-month definite duration project. It will be filled as soon as possible. In view of the urgency of this project, qualified candidates who hold or have recently held a valid NATO or National security clearance will be given priority consideration.
Please note that the JWC is currently trialling a new organizational structure. Consequently, reporting lines, job titles, functional alignments and some duties may differ slightly from those outlined in the vacancy notice.
Description
The Joint Warfare Centre (JWC) is looking for an experienced and pro-active senior contracting specialist. The successful candidate will have a comprehensive set of skills in contracting, preferably in an international environment such as NATO, excellent attention to detail and will be able to work under pressure whilst still producing high-quality results.
What we offer:
ØA role in an international NATO environment.
ØThe opportunity to support JWC’s mission through contracting expertise.
ØWork with experienced multinational colleagues.
If you are a skilled contracting professional ready to contribute in a dynamic NATO environment, we encourage you to apply.
NATO Body: Joint Warfare Centre (JWC)
Primary Location: Stavanger, Norway
Schedule: Full-Time
Salary (Pay Basis): 93,933.00 NOK Monthly
Grade: G15 / A-2
Clearance Level: NATO Secret (NS)
Application Deadline: 22 November 2026
Principal Duties
ØResponsible for determining the proper contractual instrument and leading negotiations in support of unusual requirements with complex pricing schemes that support Exercises, Training and Innovation and all activities for all JWC’s large complex acquisition support needs. Such contract arrangements may be characterized by one or more of the following: Short-term or emergency driven lead times, major new initiatives, contract specific policy development, jointly funded and managed programs in collaboration with other nations, services or agencies, highly complex programs involving multiple subcontractors and/or pricing schemes, and actions requiring the development of new or specialized terms and conditions.
ØResponsible for preparation of all pre-award documentation including any required Acquisition Plans, Justifications & Approvals for the use of non-competitive procedures, and deviation requests from normal methods of procurement. The incumbent is responsible for defending proposed contracting decisions before appropriate NATO officials to obtain all required approvals.
ØFunctions as a Senior Contracting Officer and may receive an unlimited warrant, in support of all JWC activities.
ØFunctions as the primary point of contact and acquisition advisor to Exercises, Training and Innovation Directorate on innovation requirements, development and associated issues.
ØMaintains a wide range of professional contacts within and outside JWC.Internal contacts include all levels up to and including the Division Chiefs.External contacts include a broad range of commercial companies. Exchanges information with Host Nation defence procurement agencies. Coordinates closely with Fund Managers and BUDFIN staff.
ØConducts extensive cost/price analysis of complex and/or high-value requirements, and analysis of subcontractor efforts to ensure reasonableness, accuracy and eligibility of proposed contractor costs.
ØCoordinates, plans, and seeks out advice and/or the participation of other negotiation team members (technical, legal and audit representatives) where necessary to complete assigned work. Where there is conflicting advice, the incumbent is responsible for distilling this input into a business case with recommendations for resolution during negotiations. It is the incumbent’s responsibility to negotiate the final product within the approved framework and to justify the results when seeking final approval by the JWC/ACT FC.
ØTracks and reports status of assigned actions to ensure the Programme priorities of JWC are properly addressed.
ØProvides assistance to technical program officers on matters such as application of acquisition laws/regulations, proper use of contractual instruments, and competition/source selection issues.
ØMakes a significant direct contribution to the objectives of all JWC organisational elements for which funds and contractual activity are required. Directly impacts the sustainability of the JWC Mission through effective procurement of goods and services, by ensuring best use of financial resources.Incumbent’s success in identifying and defending contractual elements has a substantial impact upon the ability of JWC to accomplish its mission.
ØActs as Chief Purchasing and Contracting as required.
ØContractual Project Supervisory over JWC 2030 related contracts.
ØAuthorised to negotiate contracts subject to approval (Expectation is Unlimited Warrant). Consistent co-ordination with Budget team for oversight and future contract authority planning.
ØAuthorised to execute purchases within delegated authority.
Essential Qualifications
Education/Training
ØUniversity Degree in supply chain management, commercial and mercantile law, logistics, inventory management, procurement or related discipline and 5 years post related experience, or
ØHigher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training in that discipline leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 5 years post related experience.
Experience
ØMinimum of five years’ experience in a managerial position performing government contracting functions including negotiation, evaluation, and award of contracts.
ØWorking technical knowledge of the field of government contracting to include:
·Working knowledge of the interpretation and application of regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to contracts and assistance arrangements for market research, solicitation development and innovation requirements.
·Knowledge of factors used to determine the appropriate instrument and/or contract type to meet various requirements.
ØSignificant knowledge of business systems, pricing policies & techniques and related fields to include:
·Knowledge of and proficiency in employing techniques used to analyze data and perform mathematical/financial calculations associated with cost and price analysis.
·Knowledge of various alternative-pricing techniques that can be used to analyze contract prices and costs.
ØProven ability to motivate, lead, train, and mentor peers, customers, and trainees in contracting processes.
ØAbility to demonstrate a thorough understanding of competitive and sole source acquisition procedures, negotiation skills, cost and price analysis techniques, contract law, contract administration and industry practices.
Language
English – Upper Intermediate/Advanced
Desirable Qualifications
Professional Experience
ØExtensive experience in contracting involving military or international organizations.
ØSignificant knowledge of NATO procurement directives.
ØKnowledge of Norwegian contract law.
ØProject Management Experience (PRINCE2 or PMP) in relation to contractual activity
ØExtensive training in the use of NATO Financial Systems as it relates to the P&C function, in particular, entering Purchase Orders and invoices
ØKnowledge of Contractor business and financial systems and techniques such as the categorization and calculation of direct and indirect costs, accounting practices and procedures, and eligibility of costs in NATO contracts.
ØKnowledge of commercial business practices for adaptation to NATO contracting. This includes the ability to enable non-traditional NATO contractors to participate in programs to ensure that the broadest possible performer base is involved in high value complex service contracts.
ØNorwegian – Upper Intermediate/Advanced
Education/Training
ØUniversity Post-graduate degree (e.g. master’s in business administration or equivalent qualification).
Personal Attributes:
Proven ability to motivate, lead, train, and mentor peers, customers, and trainees in contracting processes. Very good interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills are required, and, in dealing with commercial suppliers, a high degree of personal integrity is essential.Maturity, firmness and balanced behaviour are required. Good professional judgement is required in balancing price, quality and delivery factors. Must be a skilful communicator, both verbally and in writing, and be able to argue diplomatically and convincingly on sensitive issues with officials of same and higher grade and to convey highly complex and technical matters. Good health. The incumbent must be able to work under pressure. Must be able to travel regularly on temporary duty.
Work Environment
The work is normally performed in an office environment.
NOTE: The work both oral and written in this post and in this headquarters as a whole is conducted mainly in English.
How to apply for a Project Linked NATO Civilian Post at JWC:
JWC, as an equal opportunities employer, values diverse backgrounds and perspectives and is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and talented workforce. We welcome applications from nationals of all NATO Member States and strongly encourage women to apply.
Applications are to be submitted, in English, using the NATO Talent Acquisition Platform (NTAP) (https://nato.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobsearch.ftl?lang-en). Applications submitted by other means (e.g. mail, e-mail, fax, etc.) will not be accepted.
NTAP allows for the adding of attachments. Candidates are to attach a copy of the qualification(s)/certificate(s) covering the highest level of education and vocational qualifications held to support their application as well as a copy of a diploma/certificate which confirms any relevant professional status.
Applications are automatically acknowledged within one working day after submission. In the absence of an acknowledgement please make sure the submission process is completed or re-submit the application.
Remarks:
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.
Notes for candidates: The candidature of NATO redundant staff at grade G15 / A-2 will be considered before any other candidates.
Notes for NATO Civilian Human Resources Managers: if you have qualified redundant staff at grade G15 / A-2, who wish to be considered for this post, please advise JWC Civilian HR no later than the closing date.
Contract:
This project post is limited to a definite duration of 15 months. There is no guarantee that this post will continue beyond that period.Successful applicants will be offered a 15-month definite duration employment contract. Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations.
Salary:
Starting basic salary is NOK 93,933.00 per month (tax-free). Additional allowances may apply depending on the personal circumstances of the successful candidate. For further details seeNATO Terms & Conditions.
For any queries, please contact the Joint Warfare Centre Recruitment Team atjwc.recruitment@nato.int.