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Working at ESO
Are you interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment? Do you feel your profile matches our requirements? Learn more about our current vacancies and apply online. Read more..
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 ground-based astronomical observatory. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries.
ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in northern Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor (home to ALMA and APEX), and the ESO Headquarters are located in Garching, near Munich, Germany.
At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope, the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory, and will host and operate the southern array of the Cherenkov Telescope Array, the world's largest and most sensitive high energy gamma-ray observatory. ESO is a major partner in ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky" and whose operations will be fully integrated into the Paranal Observatory.
Due to the need for additional resources to cover a parental leave of absence, its Contracts and Procurement Department, within the Directorate of Administration at its Headquarters in Garching, near Munich, Germany, ESO is advertising the position o f
Internship: Contracts & Procurement Department
Garching
Deadline 16/03/2020
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 as specified in the Financial Rules and Regulations and in the Procurement Rules and Regulations.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will, for the foreseen period, become part of the Contracts and Procurement Department in Garching. The successful candidate will, after an initial training period:
- 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 providing requested goods and services;
- Prepare the procurement documentation (Order or Price Inquiry etc.) and coordinate and document the procurement process through evaluation of the offers, negotiation of the terms and conditions with the bidders, and award of the orders/contracts;
- Participate in the development of the Statement of Work and technical requirements of a possible E-procurement tool.
The above responsibilities are not exhaustive and a flexible approach and willingness to adapt to unexpected needs is required.
Reports to:
Head of Contracts and Procurement
Key Competences and Experience:
- Formal past experiences is beneficial but not essential as training will be provided on the job;
- 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 Purchase Requests and requirements with the user in a constructive way;
- Ability to work in an organised and accurate manner;
- Ability to work both independently and also to contribute further to a positive team spirit;
- Good knowledge of MS Word and MSs Excel.
Qualifications:
A higher technical certification or diploma in a relevant field eg. administration, commercial or business. A bachelors degree, or nearing the completion of obtaining this qualification, in such relevant fields would be considered an asset.
Language skills:
The position requires an excellent working knowledge of English and German.
Remuneration and Contract:
ESO offers a monthly allowance to cover some living expenses in combination with or without accommodation. For any questions please contact vacancy@eso.org. The initial contract is for a fixed term duration of three months with the possibility of a fixed-term extension of an additional three month subject to individual performance and organisational requirements.
Duty Station:
Garching near Munich, Germany
Application:
If you are interested in working in areas of frontline science and technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit http://www.eso.org for further details. Applicants are invited to apply online at http://jobs.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV.
Deadline for applications is 16 March 2020.
Possible start date is 1 April 2020.
Interviews are expected to start soon after the deadline date.
No nationality is in principle excluded, however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Chile irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, race or religion.