Graduate Contract Management Business Analyst - Copernicus
Graduate Contract Management Business Analyst - Copernicus
ECMWF - European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
Reading, United Kingdom
1. Position information
Vacancy No.: VN19-03
Department: Copernicus
Grade: A1
Section: Contract Management
Job Ref. No.: STF
Reports to: Head Copernicus Contract Management Section
Closing Date: 18 March 2019
2. About ECMWF
ECMWF is both a research institute and a 24/7 operational service, producing and disseminating numerical weather predictions to its Member States. ECMWF carries out scientific and technical research directed to the improvement of its forecasts, collects and processes large amounts of observations, and manages a long-term archive of meteorological data. Satellite and in situ observations provide the information for up-to-date global analyses and climate reanalyses of the atmosphere, ocean and land surface.
For details, see www.ecmwf.int.
ECMWF has been entrusted to operate the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) and the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) on behalf of the European Commission until the end of 2020. Copernicus is the European Union (EU) flagship Earth-observation programme. The programme ensures operational monitoring of the atmosphere, oceans, and continental surfaces, and will provide reliable, validated information services for a range of environmental and security applications.
ECMWF is issuing competitive calls to procure most elements of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) and the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) operational services.
The Copernicus Contract Management Section is responsible for the negotiations of new contracts and to ensure compliance with the contractual arrangements of signed contracts. The Section is managing more than 100 active service contracts focusing on data and information services delivery, studies and use cases, IT development services and communication and training activities. Contracts involve a wide range of private and public entities from most of the EU and ECMWF Member States.
Between Q2 2019 and Q2 2020, the Copernicus Contract Management Section aims to select and implement novel contract management software tools to streamline and automate administrative processes and reporting tasks, respecting specific requirements linked to ECMWF’s internal regulations and ECMWF’s obligations towards the European Commission as entrusted entity on Copernicus.
3. Summary of the role
This new position for a Graduate Contract Management Business Analyst for a period of 12 months sits in the Contract Management Section of ECMWF’s Copernicus Services Department.
The Graduate Contract Management Business Analyst will support the Head of the Contract Management Section in creating and implementing solutions together with input from the team of Contract Management Officers and other colleagues from within the Administration Department, who are responsible for procurement, legal and financial aspects. Furthermore, s/he will provide support in the negotiations and management of a small portfolio of selected C3S and CAMS contracts. This unique opportunity will provide essential insight and hands-on experience of contract management workflows and processes within an international organisation with a world-leading reputation, as well as gaining substantial knowledge in dealing with a variety of European contractors.
The position would suit an individual with excellent analytical skills, with the ability to create and formulate solutions. S/he must have excellent written and verbal communication skills together with a strong desire to develop his/her professional skills and embrace software technology in a business management context.
4. Main duties and key responsibilities
- Gaining in-depth knowledge of specific Copernicus contract management workflows, procedures and reporting requirements;
- Analysing findings and assessing potential solutions based on a market analysis and interactions with senior management and peer contract management officers;
- Making suggestions for the implementation of a contract management software tool and eventual changes in the workflows and processes, considering opportunities and potential risks attached to suggestions made;
- Supporting the procurement process of a contract management software tool;
- Supporting the implementation of the selected contract management software tool and other changes in the contract management workflow;
- Producing written documentation and producing internal and external guidance documents;
- Supporting the Contract Management Officers in the negotiation process for competitive procurements of C3S and CAMS bids, including following-up on contractual milestones and deliverables, implementation of the contract performance verification process and linked payments.
5. Personal attributes
- Excellent analytical skills;
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong workingrelationships, both internally and with external contractor’s;
- Excellent attention to detail;
- Self-starter with initiative and the ability to learn quickly;
- Ability to work with people from different backgrounds;
- Dedication and enthusiasm to work in a multi-national team;
- Excellent planning and organisation skills.
6. Qualifications and experience required
Education
- A university Master degree in either business management, economics, business information systems, finance, law, public administration or similar is required.
Experience
Applicants for this position may be:
- Current students - in the last year of their Master’s Degree with completion expected between now and early Summer 2019;
- Or recent Master’s Graduates;
- Some experience in contract administration/management, tender documentation or other legal or financial business aspects would be advantageous.
Knowledge and skills (including language)
- Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and interviews will be conducted in English;
- A good knowledge of one of the Centre’s other working languages (French or German) would be an advantage.
7. Other information
Grade remuneration
The successful candidate will be recruited at the A1 grade, according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations and the annual basic salary will be £46,353.96 net of tax. This position is assigned to the employment category STF-PS as defined in the Staff Regulations.
Full details of salary scales and allowances are available on the ECMWF website at www.ecmwf.int/en/about/jobs, including the Centre’s Staff Regulations regarding the terms and conditions of employment.
Starting date: As soon as possible but not later than Summer 2019.
Length of contract: One-year non-renewable fixed term contract.
Location: The role will be based in the Reading area, in Berkshire, United Kingdom.
8. How to apply
Please apply by completing the online application form available at www.ecmwf.int/en/about/jobs.
ECMWF has an Equal Opportunities Policy and applications from all suitably qualified candidates are welcome.
To contact the ECMWF Recruitment Team, please email jobs@ecmwf.int.
Staff are usually recruited from among nationals of the Member States and Co-operating States.
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Staff from non-ECMWF States may be considered in exceptional cases where there is a strong need for a particular competency.
