At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and manage procurement strategies while ensuring compliance with regulations.
- Company: Join NATO's Allied Maritime Command, a leader in maritime operations.
- Benefits: Tax-free salary, excellent health insurance, generous leave, and retirement plan.
- Other info: Limited duration contract with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a difference in international operations while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in contracting, degree in relevant field, and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 74459 - 74459 £ per year.
Post Number: OMC BXPX 1010
NATO Grade: NATO GRADE 15
NATO Body: Headquarters Allied Maritime Command (HQ MARCOM)
Location: Northwood, Middlesex, UK
Security Clearance Level: NATO Secret
Basic Monthly Salary: £6,204.99 (tax free)
Closing Date: 26 July 2026
ABOUT MARCOM
Allied Maritime Command is the Maritime Theatre Component Commander delivering 360-degree maritime focused awareness and connectivity while planning and commanding the full range of maritime operations. The working language of MARCOM HQ is English.
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Finance professional with a background in procurement and supplier relationship management to work in the Purchasing and Contracting Branch of the N8 Directorate. The N8 Directorate is responsible for overseeing all financial and budgetary activity within HQ MARCOM.
MAIN DUTIES
- Develop purchase and contracting strategies.
- Evaluate purchase requests.
- Conduct market research when required.
- Publicise competition and invite bidders or process requests for deviations to normal procurement procedures.
- As part of a CAC or independently evaluate bid proposals to assess prices and contractor reliability; negotiate contract terms and conditions when necessary.
- Prepare the contract for award.
- Award contracts to successful bidders independently or countersigned by the Financial Controller in accordance with the established limits.
- Ensure contractors adhere to regulations by periodically evaluating their performance.
- Train and supervise work delegated to Contracting Officer's Technical Representatives.
- Take appropriate actions such as making related determinations and findings: changes, modifications, issuing cure notices, suspension of work, stop work orders, terminations, assessment of liquidated damages, and issuance of final contracting officer determinations.
- Close out contracts verifying all administrative matters are concluded.
- Exercise the aforementioned in such a manner to safeguard the interests of MARCOM, SHAPE and NATO in all assigned contractual relationships.
YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Essential:
- At least 3 years of prior contracting experience at a contracts management level.
- Proven experience in contract management, contract negotiation, contract law, business knowledge, contracting for military or international organisations, using e-commerce tools.
- Educated to university degree level in supply chain management, commercial and mercantile law, logistics, inventory management, procurement or related discipline and 2 years function-related experience, or higher.
- Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training in that discipline leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 4 years post-related experience.
Desirable:
- Experience in contracting for military or international organisations, as a Buyer and/or Contracting Officer.
- Experience with use of the NATO Financial System, Oracle Financials, or other automated accounting systems and purchasing application software.
- Experience in evaluating complex, urgent and sensitive requisitions for a wide variety of goods, services and engineering works.
- Experience in translating complex, urgent and sensitive technical or operational requirements into commercially adequate invitations for bids.
- Experience in executing the full cycle of procurement activities, from conducting market surveys, devising acquisition strategies, issuing solicitations, and evaluating proposals to awarding, administering and closing out contracts.
- Demonstrated ability to negotiate, execute competitive bidding procedures, award and administer contracts, and effectively prosecute contractor claims and related disputes.
COMPETENCIES
- Organisational awareness: understands organisational politics.
- Analytical thinking: sees multiple relationships.
- Impact and influence: uses indirect influence.
- Initiative: is decisive in a time-sensitive situation.
- Flexibility: adapts to unforeseen circumstances.
CONTRACT
Project-Linked-NIC (PLN) - This position is linked to a specific NATO project and is for a limited duration of 3 (three) years only. Salary values indicated in this vacancy notice are based on NATO Single Salary Spine scale; the salary is tax free including (where eligible) expatriation, family and children’s allowances and additional privileges for expatriate staff; education allowance for children (where appropriate) and an excellent private health insurance scheme; generous annual leave and home leave (if eligible); retirement pension plan.
Contracting Officer in London employer: NATO
Allied Maritime Command (HQ MARCOM) is an exceptional employer located in Northwood, Middlesex, UK, offering a unique opportunity to work within a prestigious NATO environment. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, MARCOM provides comprehensive benefits including tax-free salary, generous leave, and excellent health insurance, fostering a supportive work culture that values initiative and flexibility. Join us to contribute to vital maritime operations while enjoying a rewarding career in a dynamic international setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracting Officer in London
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Contracting Officer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show NATO that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, NATO can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows NATO that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let NATO know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at NATO
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
