Contracting Specialist - (U.S. Embassy Mogadishu located in Nairobi )

Overview

Announcement Number: Nairobi-2021-034

Hiring Agency: Embassy Nairobi

Position Title: Contracting Specialist - (U.S. Embassy Mogadishu located in Nairobi ) - All Interested Applicants

Open Period: 03/09/2021 - 03/23/2021

The U.S. Embassy Mogadishu (located in Nairobi) is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Contract Specialist.

Responsibilities

Serves as a Procurement Contract Specialist for Embassy Mogadishu. Prepares formal complex contracts (some possibly valued as high as $10M USD) and construction contracts with written scopes of work using Office of the Procurement Executive (A/OPE) models in accordance with complex regulations contained in the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Department of State Acquisition Regulations (DOSAR).

Utilizes the Integrated Logistics Management System (ILMS) ARIBA Contracting Module to prepare, execute and monitor contracts.

Liaise with Contracting Officer’s Representatives (COR) on issues pertaining to contracts and contracts maintenance.

The incumbent shall serve as Contracting Agent responsible for providing a full-service range of contracting and procurement services and will be the Mission's de facto expert on commercial item contracts, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), and Information Technology (IT) contracts.

The incumbent will back up Embassy Mogadishu Procurement Agent to provide a variety of supplies and services in support of Embassy Mogadishu using purchase orders, purchase cards, blanket purchase agreements, delivery orders, and against existing GSA, Dept of State or other USG contracts. The position will be supervised by Procurement Supervisor.

Education

• Bachelors degree

Additional education

• A bachelor’s degree in law, business administration or Contracts Management is required.

LANGUAGE: Level IV English (Fluent, reading/writing/speaking) is required (This may be tested) and Level III Somali is required; Interpretation of law and contracts in English and Somali (Good working knowledge reading/writing/speaking) is required.

Experience

Additional experience

• At least six (6) years in the field of formal contracting or acquisition management and construction contracting is required.

JOB KNOWLEDGE: Must have extensive commercial contacts and in-depth knowledge of the local market. Incumbent must have a thorough knowledge of the U.S., U.N., or similar Government acquisition and assistance practices and regulations, including but not limited to the FAR, DOSAR, associated agency procurement regulations, instructions and procedures, GSA catalogues and instructions, and relevant sections of the Code of Federal Regulations including U.S. Federal Specification and Standards, and contracting procedures and practice.

Additional skills

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Ability to work calmly, tactfully, and effectively under pressure and demonstrate flexibility to manage more than one activity at a time. In addition, strong interpersonal skills and communication skills are required to maintain an excellent working relationship with colleagues in the Procurement Section and with other Mission personnel. Strong computer skills (Windows, Word, Excel, and Outlook) are required. Incumbent will be expected to occasionally travel to Mogadishu.

(i) The ability to tactfully and firmly present the positions of the U.S. Embassy in contract negotiations is required

(ii) Must have the verbal and mental acuity to elicit information from the other side during negotiations without unnecessarily sharing information that, in the best interests of the USG, should be withheld for the moment or the longer term.

(iii) Must be able to review lengthy and complex contract materials and assess their strengths and shortcomings, both in terms of technical requirements and in practicality, given USG, post and local considerations.

(iv) Ability to advise post management up to the Ambassador on sensitive matters related to specific contracting process and must exercise extreme discretion when dealing with contacts inside and outside the Embassy.

(v) Must have the ability and determination to incorporate and develop newest technology and practices (currently ILMS ARIBA).

Terms and conditions

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO): The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.

All applications to be submitted through the link before 23rd March 2021 https://erajobs.state.gov/dos-era/vacancy/viewVacancyDetail.hms?_ref=revonw5rpt0&returnToSearch=true&jnum=22099&orgId=25