Job Summary:

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 will lead or supervise other staff 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.

Accountabilities:

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.

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Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• 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.

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.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or International Equivalent in Business Administration or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5+ 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, 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.

Typical Physical Demands:

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift/move up to 5 lbs.

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Technology to be Used:

• Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.

Travel Requirements:

• Less than 10%

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

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

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