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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 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. 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.
The ESO Contracts and Procurement Department, within the Directorate of Administration at its Headquarters in Garching, near Munich, Germany is advertising the following opportunity:
Within the Directorate of Administration, the Contracts and Procurement (CP) 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 ESO Procurement Rules and Regulations. Our dynamic and highly multicultural department consists of 18 staff members, 9 of which are based in Garching, and 9 in Vitacura, Santiago .
After two decades, ESO is embarking on an evolutionary journey to replace its longstanding ERP system with a modern, sustainable platform that will enhance our operational efficiency, adaptability, and ability for ESO to remain competitive and at the forefront of ground-based astronomy. From Human Resources to Finance, Procurement to Project Management, this transformation will impact every corner of our organisation.
Although a temporary role you will be joining us at an exciting time as we look to introduce a new ERP system. Working with colleagues in the CP team you will enable us to provide the necessary expertise to take the ERP project forward through supporting colleagues and releasing them for the project. You may also be involved in elements of the process including testing the new system. We expect you to gain valuable experience across the range of procurement activities and would see this as an excellent development role.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
As part of the Contract and Procurement (CP) Department, you 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 the Headquarters to technical and scientific equipment and services for construction, operation and maintenance of ESO's Observatories. You will work in close collaboration with the Divisions, Departments and Project Teams of ESO Headquarters 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 you will:
- Review and discuss with the requesters the 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 tendering documentation (price inquiry, etc.) and coordinate and document the procurement process through evaluation of the offers, negotiation of the conditions with the bidders where appropriate and award of the orders/contracts;
- Participate in the follow-up of orders/contracts in case of contractual issue.
The above responsibilities are not exhaustive and a flexible approach and willingness to adapt to unexpected needs is required.
Reports to:
Supervisor of the Procurement team.
Key Competences and Experience
Essential Competences and Experience:
- Relevant experience in procurement
- Good communication skills, being able to discuss and clarify with the requesters the requirements in an efficient and constructive way;
- Good knowledge of MS Word and Excel;
- Positive and flexible attitude to look into solutions for the presented problems taking into account the rules and boundaries of the Organisation;
- Service- and customer-oriented attitude;
- Good sense of judgment as to when cases need to be discussed with or escalated to a more senior level;
- Ability to work in an organised and accurate manner;
- Ability to work autonomously after training and to contribute to a positive team spirit.
Desirable Competences and Experience:
- Recent experience in a similar procurement role in an international setting.
- Experience in an entity applying the public procurement principles;
- Ability to understand technical and operational issues at a general level, i.e. why a product or service is needed and what the consequences are if it is not on time and of in the right quality, etc;
- Experience working with an electronic tendering tool;
- Experience working with any common ERP (e.g. MS NAV, Oracle, SAP).
Qualifications:
Higher technical diploma or equivalent
Bachelor degree or equivalent diploma in Procurement, Business Management, Business Engineering, Economics applied science or Law would be a distinct advantage
Language skills:
Full command of English is essential (written as well as spoken).and with German a distinct advantage
Remuneration and Contract:
We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family and the possibility to place your child/children in daycare.
Our Salary Structure
ESO's salary structure is based upon a range of career paths which reflect the nature and level of our jobs. Each career path is made up of two or three grades which are used to further reflect experience.
Please follow this attached link for more details https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/salary-structure/
ESO aims to support members of personnel in maintaining a good work-life balance (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#work-life-balance) between their professional and private life. ESO is also committed to offering family-friendly support (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#family-friendly-support), creating a work environment and policies which allow staff to balance their professional and private responsibilities through flexible working arrangements and financial support for families.
The contract is for a fixed term duration of two years, and is subject to successful completion of the probation period. For any further information, please visit ESO's conditions of employment. Please note that the contract policy and in particular the regulations concerning fixed-term and indefinite contracts are currently under review which may lead to changes in the contractual conditions applicable to this position. This fixed term contract is tied specifically to the running of our project to introduce a new ERP system. There is no possibility of extension or consideration for a further contract beyond the life of the project.
Duty Station:
Garching near Munich, Germany.
Career Path: III
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 https://jobs.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV. Within your CV, please provide the names and contact details of three persons familiar with your work and willing to provide a recommendation letter upon request. Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent.
Deadline for applications is 7 January 2025.
Interviews are expected to start soon after the deadline date.
ESO Values
An important element in any successful employment relationship is harmony in values between an organisation and its people.
The ESO Values are:
ESO strives for excellence through innovation.
ESO provides outstanding services to its communities.
ESO fosters diversity & inclusion.
ESO believes in the key role of sustainability for its future.
Achieving the above are recognized as only possible on the basis of personal values and attitudes that we expect from our employees: respect, integrity, accountability, commitment, collaboration, and clear & open communication.
Applicants to any ESO role are asked to reflect on their affinity with these values and advised they may be asked about them if called for interview.
Diversity
ESO has established diversity as an important value of the Organisation, is committed to providing an equal opportunities environment and is actively seeking to promote a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Please visit https://www.eso.org/public/about-eso/sustainability/dei-at-eso/ for further details.
Nationality
No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO, however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of our Member States, host states and strategic partners: 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, ethnicity or religion.