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Contracting Officer I

This job is no longer available

Durham, NC, USA
Full-time

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in Health, Education, Nutrition, Environment, Economic Development, Civil Society, Gender, Youth, Research and Technology; creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states and all U.S. territories.

A Contracting Officer is primarily responsible for managing the administrative processes for contract administration from pre-award to contract close-out. He/she will provide professional expertise in contract administration to ensure full compliance with donor rules and regulations. The functions of the position include: a) 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; b) Expert interpretation of donor (USG and non-USG) rules and regulations; c) Standardization of administrative procedures for efficient award and sub award management; d) Development of contractual documents including templates and ancillary business forms; and e) Capacity building and replication of contract portfolio management systems and best practices in award and sub award management. A Contracting Officer may lead or supervise other staff (as needed) in the efficient operation and maintenance of an effective contracts portfolio management system.

Contracting officers will work in partnership with operations staff and other enterprise services staff 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.
  • Reviews and negotiate critical award terms and conditions.
  • Identify significant risks and recommend plan for mitigation including justification of working at risk.

Post-award:

  • Manages contract set-up in the contract management and/or financial management system.
  • 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 the work of contract specialists before submission to donors. These will include contract add-ons, budget realignments, cost extensions, and other transactions requiring donor approval such as sub awards, salaries, consultant rates, waivers, etc. The contracting officer will handle the more complicated or business-sensitive transactions.
  • 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 advocate for the organization’s position on matters of regulation and other contractual issues.
  • Collaborates with operations staff and other enterprise services staff 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 input to contract close-out.

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.
  • Erroneous decisions or recommendations or failure to achieve results may cause the organization to incur additional costs and suffer delays that can have a negative impact on its record of performance.

Supervision Given/Received:

  • Performs work with a high degree of independence to determine practical methods and procedures for effective performance.
  • Supervises the work of associate contract staff (as assigned).
Skills/Experience: 
  • Advanced knowledge of donor (USG and non-USG) rules and regulations, various mechanisms of funding and types of award of acquisition (contracts) and assistance (cooperative agreements and grants).
  • Strong and solid command of professional theory, techniques, practices and procedures requiring comprehensive knowledge of contracting principles.
  • Effective skills in negotiations, sub award management and procurement.
  • Improve upon the work of contract specialists (e.g., written products of greater complexity) to ensure high quality and compliance with contract rules and regulations.
  • 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 either 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.
  • Advanced knowledge of donor (USG and non- USG) rule and regulations including but not limited to USAID, DHHS (NIH and CDC), DOE, etc.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Excellent organizational skills and strong ability to manage and meet multiple tasks. Read, write and speak English. Fluency in a foreign language is desired.
  • International development, healthcare, or consulting industry experience preferred.
  • Prior experience in a Team Leader capacity preferred.
Compensation/Benefits: 

FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.

Job Function: 

Organization Info

Fhi 360

Overview
Headquarters: 
Washington, DC, United States
Annual Budget : 
More than $500M
Founded: 
1974
About Us
Mission: 

To improve lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions for human development.

Why Work For Us?: 

We Believe…

…the key to improving the lives of the world's most vulnerable people lies in generating, sharing, and applying knowledge.

…sustainability comes from improving the capacity of individuals and countries to address their needs.

…in partnerships with governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, and communities.

…in approaches that address human needs as a whole

Connect With Us

Listing Stats

Post Date: 
Apr 12 2019
Active Until: 
May 12 2019
Hiring Organization: 
Fhi 360
industry: 
Nonprofit