Overview
Hiring Path: • Custom Announcement (not open to the public)
Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency: This position is open to:
In-house applicants
For USEFM - FP grade is FP-06. Actual FP salary authorized by Washington D.C. Security Clearance Required: Public Trust - Background Investigation Appointment Type Permanent Appointment Type Details: Indefinite subject to successful completion of initial one-year contract. Marketing Statement:
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO): The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.
Summary:
The U.S. Mission in Belgium is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Procurement Agent in the General Services Office.
Supervisory Position: No Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No
Duties
This position is part of a two-person Contracting Unit and together they execute approximately 50 contracts worth $20 million annually for the Brussels Tri-Mission. In addition, this position is responsible for acquisitions on behalf of 55 ICASS agency subscribers and works with the Procurement Unit to prepare purchase orders, delivery orders, and blanket purchase agreements as needed.
As a contracting agent the incumbent serves as the knowledgeable source for defining the method of acquisition and the type of contract to be used; prepares contracts, establishing the contract terms, conditions, and provisions for pricing, paying, and financing; suggests individuals to serve as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or to participate on a technical evaluation panel or other advisory role; develops a Funding Opportunity Announcement; and reviews bidding applications, supplemental awards, and requests for extensions. Handles multiple contracts for the Tri-Mission, including, but not limited to life and medical insurance, copiers, cell phones, painting, fuel, VIP car rental services, and gardening, to name a few. This position also handles hybrid contracts, such as group medical insurance. Acts as consultant to Washington elements and other Posts on hybrid and/or complex contracts.
Uses the Integrated Logistics Management (ILMS) Ariba software system and procurement mechanisms, such as purchase requisitions (PRs), purchase card, BPAs, and delivery orders, handles standard local and offshore procurements for Embassy and all serviced agencies as needed and in compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Department of State Acquisition Regulations (DOSAR), and corresponding FAM, FAH, and A/OPE regulations and guidance. Reviews procurement requests, gathering any missing information needed from the requestor, as well as clarifying ambiguous requests. Complies with all reporting and record keeping requirements.
Qualifications and Evaluations
Requirements:
All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) certification.
All selected candidates will be subject to a background investigation and may be subject to a pre-employment medical exam.
Selected candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time (15 weeks) upon receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.
Education Requirements:
Two years of post-secondary education required.
Please address this factor in your ERA application under Education.
Evaluations:
You will be evaluated against the qualifications and requirements in this vacancy announcement.
You may be asked to complete a pre-employment language or skills test.
You must complete the application form and provide the required documents. Your application must address all the position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, language, and any knowledge/skills/abilities listed. If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position.
Qualifications:
Experience:
Three (3) years of experience in procurement, purchasing, or other commercial activities in private companies or governmental organizations involving purchasing of supplies or commodities required.
Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.
Language:
Fluency in English.
Fluency in Dutch.
Fluency in French.
(This may be tested.)
Please address this language requirement in your ERA application.
Job Knowledge: Very strong writing in English, French, and Dutch is essential to this position because of the legal nature of contracts. Translation skills between all three languages. Strong verbal communication, negotiation skills, and persuasive argument skills. Ability to maintain well-documented files for each purchase and contract. Microsoft Office proficiency, familiarity with online platforms and systems, proficiency with data management and analysis.
Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.
Skills And Abilities: Must exercise sound judgment in ensuring full and open competition, negotiation for lowest-price, technically acceptable, terms and conditions. Judgment must include critical analysis of good/services to be acquired to meet Embassy’s budget constraints and when adjudicating contract performance in relation to contractor delinquency and corrective action.
(This may be tested.)
Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.
Benefits and Other Info
Benefits: Agency Benefits:
The U.S. Mission offers a competitive compensation and benefits package for local employees that may include: life insurance, hospitalization insurance (family included), meal tickets, transportation reimbursements, seniority leave, special holidays, training, Employee Assistance Program, etc.
For Eligible Family Member (EFM) applicants, benefits should be discussed with the HR Office. The pay plan is assigned by the HR Office and confirmed by Washington, D.C.
Other Information:
HIRING PREFERENCE SELECTION PROCESS:
A hiring preference is extended to eligible and qualified applicants in the order listed below. It is essential you accurately describe your status in your application, failure to do so may result in a determination that you are not eligible for a hiring preference.
HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER
1. Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM) / U.S. citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM) who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
2. AEFM / USEFM
3. Foreign Service (FS) on Leave without Pay (LWOP) and Civil Service (CS) with reemployment rights **
* IMPORTANT: US citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM) applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”) preferably Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs which indicates the present existence of a service-connected disability, equivalent documentation, or certification. A “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given.
** This level of preference applies to all FS employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau.
For complete definitions of AEFM, USEFM, EFM, Member of Household, etc., please visit the
ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT CONSIDERATIONS
The following apply to EFMs, USEFMs, and AEFMs only:
4. Current employees who used a hiring preference to gain employment who are within their first 90 calendar days of employment are not eligible. This does not apply when the hiring mechanism is TEMP or the work schedule is intermittent or irregular.
5. Candidates with a hiring preference who have already accepted a conditional offer of employment may NOT be extended a second conditional offer of employment unless and until they withdraw their candidacy for the first position in writing.
The following apply to Locally Employed (LE) staff only:
6. Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible.
7. Current employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs Improvement, Unsatisfactory, or an MBC score of less than 100 points on their most recent Employee Performance Report are not eligible.