Project Officer Contracted Services

4. DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Head of Sector for Contracted Services, the Project Officer Contracted Services will be responsible for / contribute to the following activities:

• manage the EDA AIRMEDEVAC project and related contracted services in support of participating Member States and Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations, ensuring effective project governance and service delivery;
• manage the full lifecycle of framework and specific contracts, from the identification and consolidation of user requirements to the preparation of procurement documentation, evaluation support, contract implementation, performance monitoring and administrative closure;
• coordinate the operational, contractual and financial implementation of specific contracts, including budget planning and monitoring, calls for funds, allocation of funds, verification of supporting documents, invoice processing and reporting;
• maintain close working relationships with contributing Member States, end users, relevant European Union stakeholders, service providers and other partners, acting as a focal point for the timely resolution of contractual and operational issues;
• prepare and coordinate project governance activities, including Project Management Group meetings, briefings, decision documents, presentations, minutes, action tracking and follow-up with stakeholders;
• monitor service delivery and contractual performance, identify risks and corrective actions, and coordinate EDA follow-up in the event of operational changes, incidents or other unplanned developments affecting contract execution;
• contribute to the development of new contracted solutions in support of operations and missions, including market engagement, business-case development, requirements definition and coordination with the relevant EDA support functions;
• ensure accurate, traceable and up-to-date project records and contribute to lessons learned, process improvement, knowledge management and internal coordination across the Contracted Services function;
• ensure timely support to end users and the effective resolution of issues affecting contract performance, including those encountered by service providers, and provide support outside standard working hours when required by operational needs;
• take on additional tasks as required in the interest of the service.

Duties may evolve according to the development of EDA’s structure and activities, and the decisions of EDA management.

 

SELECTION CRITERIA

IMPORTANT: Confirmation of sponsorship is required at the latest by the deadline for applications and in any case before a decision on a candidate selected for secondment is taken by EDA.

A. Essential

Only applications meeting all essential selection criteria will be assessed.

(1) Professional

The candidate will be required to demonstrate that he/she has:

• a university degree (or equivalent academic degree) in a field relevant to the post;
• at least seven (7) years of relevant professional experience;
• proven experience in the management of complex projects and service contracts involving multiple stakeholders in an international or multinational environment;
• proven experience in procurement and contract management, including the preparation of tender specifications or equivalent contractual documentation and the monitoring of contract implementation;
• proven experience in financial management, including budget planning and monitoring, verification of invoices or supporting documents, and financial reporting;
• good understanding of aeromedical evacuation, aviation support services or comparable operational support services, including the challenges associated with service delivery in operational environments;
• good knowledge of the EU security and defence environment, including CSDP and the wider international defence environment, and a good understanding of EDA’s role and activities relevant to the post;
• a very good command of written and spoken English, with strong drafting and briefing skills.

(2) Personal

All staff must be able to fit into the Agency's way of working (see para. 2). Other attributes important for this post include:

• ability to work in a team and independently in his/her area of responsibility;
• ability to work effectively in a multinational environment;
• reliability and capacity to work under pressure with little supervision;
• good communication, coordination and organisational skills;
• strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills;
• results-orientation and strong motivation;
• flexibility and innovativeness;
• genuine commitment to the Agency's objectives.

B. Desirable

The following will be considered an advantage:

• hold a recognised project management or contract management qualification;
• professional experience related to AIRMEDEVAC, fixed-wing or rotary-wing aviation services, medical support to operations, or comparable contracted operational services;
• understanding of EDA activities relating to contracted services in support of military and civilian operations and missions, or knowledge of European public procurement rules;
• experience of supporting organisational or process change and of developing new service-delivery solutions.