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Working at ESO
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The European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive astronomical observatory. ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in the Atacama Desert region of Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. The ESO headquarters are located in Garching, near Munich, Germany. ESO is the focal point for Europe's participation in the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) consortium, which is currently constructing a large submillimetre array in the Chilean Andes. The concept and design of a 39-m European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) is also currently underway at ESO.
Within its Contracts and Procurement Department in Santiago, Chile ESO is opening a Local Staff member position as:
Procurement Officer
Santiago
Deadline 16/12/2016
Within the Directorate of Administration the Contracts and Procurement Department is responsible for and executes the procurement process. This is done within the framework of the Organisation's policy for awarding contracts for supplies and services, specified in the Financial Rules and Regulations and in the Procurement Rules and Regulations.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The selected candidate will become part of the Contract and Procurement Group in Santiago (Chile) and will be responsible for the management of the entire procurement cycle for a very broad range of goods and services, from items and services of common use for ESO sites in Chile to technical and scientific equipment and services for construction, operation and maintenance of ESO's Observatories. He/she will work in close collaboration with the users in the Departments and Project teams of ESO in Chile to identify and implement the most efficient procurement solutions in compliance with the procurement rules and regulations of the Organisation. The main focus will be on the lower value/less complex procurements. In particular he/she will:
- Review and discuss with users requests for purchases (including the requirements contained therein) to determine their adequacy and completeness and the appropriate procurement strategy;
- Identify the suppliers capable to supply the requested goods and services;
- Prepare the procurement documentation (Price inquiry etc.) and coordinate and document the procurement process through evaluation of the tenders, negotiation of the terms and conditions with the bidders, and award of the orders/contracts;
- Participate in the follow-up of orders/contracts; and
- Participate, as required, in the development of procedures and practices for procurements within the Organisation.
Reports to:
The Supervisor Procurement Officers.
Experience:
At least 3 years of experience in a procurement role or commercial function (or similar function), e.g. buyer, sales desk officer, procurement role (issuing orders), preferably experience in an international setting and/or in public procurement.
Key Competences:
- Positive and flexible attitude to look into solutions for the presented problems taking into account the boundaries;
- Service and customer oriented attitude;
- Good communication skills, being able to clarify PR's and requirements with the user in a constructive way;
- Ability to work in an organised and accurate manner;
- Negotiation skills, being able to persuade the counterpart to agree on ESO favorable conditions at an operational level;
- Ability to understand technical and operational issues at a general level - why is a product or service needed and what are the consequences if it is not on time - in the right quality or else;
- Good judgment to know when the next higher level needs to be informed; and
- Good knowledge of Ms Word and Ms Excel.
Qualifications:
Complete Professional/Technical studies (of at least six semesters) or equivalent level (proven by experience) in a Business or Commercial field
Language Skills:
Full command of English and Spanish (written as well as spoken).
Remuneration and Contract:
The initial contract is for a period of two years with the possibility of an indefinite extension, subject to evaluation. The title or grade may be subject to change according to qualification and the number of years of experience.
Duty Station:
Santiago Chile, with incidental duty trips to all ESO sites in Chile.
Career Path:
III
Application:
If you are interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit http://www.eso.org for further details. Applicants are invited to apply online at http://recruitment.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and your CV.
Closing date for applications is 16 December 2016.
No nationality is in principle excluded, however applicants, Chilean or of foreign nationality, must have the pertinent working permit, according to Chilean regulations.
The post is equally open to suitably qualified female and male applicants.