A Contracting Officer is primarily responsible providing professional expertise in contract administration to ensure full compliance with contractual clauses, terms and conditions, and client rules and regulations. The Contracting Officer is responsible for managing the administrative processes for contract administration from pre-award to contract close-out.
The functions of the position include:
- Comprehensive analysis of contract terms and conditions to ensure that the organization has the organizational capacity or is able to acquire the necessary capacity to successfully perform and meet contractual obligations;
- Provide professional expertise in contract administration and interpretation of donor terms or condition, rules and regulations;
- Standardize administrative procedures for efficient award and sub award management;
- Develop contractual documents including templates and ancillary business forms; and
- Provide capacity building and replication of contract portfolio management systems and best practices in award and sub award management.
A Contracting Officer will work in partnership with staff who are responsible for implementing on the scope and terms of the contract, along with any relevant partnering staff or organizations to achieve successful and compliant contract performance. The scope of contract administration may include contract interpretation, compliance with regulatory requirements and restrictions, sub award administration, and donor relations among others.
Areas of Responsibility:
Pre-award:
- Serves as a technical resource to proposal development units (Business Planning and Proposal and Cost and Pricing) by analyzing solicitations, interpreting regulations and award provisions, clarifying compliance issues, etc.
- Expeditiously reviews and negotiates critical award terms and conditions, acknowledging the impact of this step on rapid start-up and revenue generation.
- Identify significant risks and recommend plan for mitigation.
Post-award:
- Manages contract set-up in relevant systems and with other corporate services (e.g., Finance).
- Advises senior management on matters of concern and elements of risk that can be detrimental to successful contract performance. Recommend alternative approaches to overcome any negative impact.
- Reviews contract add-ons, budget realignments, cost extensions, and other transactions requiring donor approval such as sub awards, salaries, consultant rates, waivers, etc. before submission to clients.
- Conducts complex negotiations requiring senior staff engagement.
- Develops and maintain strong relationships with counterparts (internal and external).
- Responds to audit matters (internal and external).
- Articulates and advocates for the organization’s position on matters of regulation and other contractual issues.
- Collaborates with implementing staff and partners to monitor prime contract and subcontract performance.
- Negotiates substantive provisions in lower- tier subcontracts.
- Trains other staff in standardized procedures for efficient award and sub award management.
- Manages entire process from pre-award stage to contract close-out, including necessary modifications.
Problem Solving & Impact:
- Analyze highly complex situations (e.g., high risk conditions or business-sensitive issues) and alert leadership to impact on performance.
- Recommend options to overcome the above based on careful and thoughtful evaluation of facts and well-informed interpretation of applicable regulations.
- Ensure that contracts are administered according to the highest standards of ethics and compliance.
Supervision Given/Received:
- Performs work with a high degree of independence to determine practical methods and procedures for effective performance.
- May supervise the work of associate contract staff.
Educational Background:
Bachelor's degree or International Equivalent in Business Administration or related field.
Skills/Experience:
- Advanced knowledge of client (USG and non-USG) rules and regulations, various mechanisms of funding and types of award of acquisition (contracts) and assistance (grants).
- Familiarity and expertise within the life sciences / pharmaceutical industry, preferably in a contract research organization.
- Strong and solid command of professional theory, techniques, practices and procedures requiring comprehensive knowledge of contracting principles.
- Effective skills in negotiation, sub award management and procurement.
- Develop contacts and grow relationships with counterparts to promote specific unit and larger organizational goals.
- Effective oral communication and business/technical writing skills.
- Independently use technology to perform work. Ensure integrity of systems, internal controls and data, including recommending modifications for further strengthening as indicated.
- Apply updated technology to facilitate procedures and achieve unit goals and objectives.
- Adaptable to work environments in diverse cultural settings.
- Minimum of 5-8 years’ experience in a contracting position in a foundation, the Federal Government acquisition system, or a Non- governmental Organization (NGO) – domestic or international.
- At least 3 years of negotiating experience and direct management of contracts and other agreements.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and strong ability to manage and meet multiple tasks. Read, write and speak English.
- International development, healthcare, or consulting industry experience preferred.
- Prior experience in a Team Leader capacity.
Job Function:
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Jan 14 2019
Active Until:
Feb 14 2019
Hiring Organization:
Fhi 360
industry:
Nonprofit