Sr Contracting Officer – Complex Services (2030 P&C)

NATO Joint Warfare Centre; Stavanger; On-site; NOK 954,000 - 1,143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

International NATO environment

Contracting expertise support

Job summary

NATO Joint Warfare Centre seeks an experienced Senior Contracting Officer for complex services. The role focuses on selecting contractual instruments, leading negotiations, and defending procurement decisions within a multinational NATO framework.

The position emphasizes pre‑award documentation, acquisition planning, and advisory support to the Exercises, Training and Innovation Directorate in a high‑pressure, detail‑oriented environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in contracting with complex pricing schemes.
• Ability to prepare acquisition plans and approvals for non‑competitive procedures.
• Ability to lead negotiations and defend contracting decisions.

Responsibilities

• Determine proper contracting instrument and lead negotiations for complex requirements.
• Prepare pre-award documentation and acquisition plans.
• Act as Senior Contracting Officer with potential unlimited warrant.
• Advise Exercises, Training and Innovation Directorate on contracting.
• Maintain broad professional contacts internal and external to JWC.
• Conduct cost/price analysis of complex high‑value requirements.
• Coordinate with negotiation team members to form a business case.

Skills

Contracting

Negotiation

Cost/Price analysis

Leadership

Project management

Documentation

English (proficient)

Education

University degree in related field

Post-graduate degree

Tools

NATO procurement systems

Job description

Primary Location

Norway-Stavanger

Schedule

Full-time

Application Deadline

22-Nov-2026, 11:59:00 PM

Grade

NATO Grade G15

Job Title

Senior Contracting Officer – Complex Services (2030 P&C)

Vacancy Notice

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.

Note

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

• A role in an international NATO environment.
• The opportunity to support JWC’s mission through contracting expertise.
• Work with experienced multinational colleagues.

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

• Responsible 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.
• Responsible 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.
• Functions as a Senior Contracting Officer and may receive an unlimited warrant, in support of all JWC activities.
• Functions as the primary point of contact and acquisition advisor to Exercises, Training and Innovation Directorate on innovation requirements, development and associated issues.
• Maintains 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.
• Conducts 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.
• Coordinates, 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.
• Tracks and reports status of assigned actions to ensure the Programme priorities of JWC are properly addressed.
• Provides assistance to technical program officers on matters such as application of acquisition laws/regulations, proper use of contractual instruments, and competition/source selection problems.
• Makes 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.
• Acts as Chief Purchasing and Contracting as required.
• Contractual Project Supervisory over JWC 2030 related contracts.
• Authorised to negotiate contracts subject to approval (Expectation is Unlimited Warrant). Consistent co‑ordination with Budget team for oversight and future contract authority planning.
• Authorised to execute purchases within delegated authority.

Essential Qualifications

Education/Training

• University Degree in supply chain management, commercial and mercantile law, logistics, inventory management, procurement or related discipline and 5 years post related experience, or
• Higher 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

• Minimum of five years’ experience in a managerial position performing government contracting functions including negotiation, evaluation, and award of contracts.
• Working 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.
• Significant 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.
• Proven ability to motivate, lead, train, and mentor peers, customers, and trainees in contracting processes.
• Ability 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

• Extensive experience in contracting involving military or international organizations.
• Significant knowledge of NATO procurement directives.
• Knowledge of Norwegian contract law.
• Project Management Experience (PRINCE2 or PMP) in relation to contractual activity.
• Extensive training in the use of NATO Financial Systems as it relates to the P&C function, in particular, entering Purchase Orders and invoices.
• Knowledge 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.
• Knowledge 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.
• Norwegian – Upper Intermediate/Advanced

Education/Training

• University 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.

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 see NATO Terms & Conditions.

For any queries, please contact the Joint Warfare Ce ntre Recruitment Team at [e-mail] .