Purchasing Agent

Hiring Path:

- Open to the public

Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:
For USEFM - FP is 07. Actual FP salary determined by Washington D.C.
All Interested Applicants / All Sources
Post policy update: Inbound USEFM applicants DO NOT have to wait until they are within 90 days of arriving at post to apply.

Security Clearance Required:
Public Trust - Background Investigation

Appointment Type

Permanent

Appointment Type Details:
Marketing Statement:
We encourage you to read and understand the Eight (8) Qualities of Overseas Employees before you apply.

Summary:
The work schedule for this position is Full Time (38 hours per week)

Supervisory Position:
No

Relocation Expenses Reimbursed:
No

**Duties**:
Incumbent is one of four Purchasing Agents responsible for acquisitions on behalf of the 45 agencies and offices that comprise the U.S. Tri-Missions. The Procurement section prepares and administers approximately 6,000 procurement transactions annually, with a total average value of roughly $14,000,000. The incumbents prepare contracts, purchase orders, delivery orders, and blanket purchase agreements (BPAs) for a variety of commodities for review and approval by the Procurement Supervisor and the Contracting Officer.

**Qualifications and Evaluations**:

- Requirements:
EXPERIENCE:
**Option A**: Minimum of two years of university studies required and 2 years of experience in procurement, or in related work in commercial, legal, or accounting fields.

**Option B**:Completion of secondary school and 4 years of experience in procurement, or in related work in commercial, legal, or accounting fields.

JOB KNOWLEDGE: Must quickly acquire a good working knowledge of Department of State and associated agency procurement regulations, instruction and procedures, GSA Catalog, U.S. Federal Specifications and Standards, and of contracting procedures and practice. Must have an excellent knowledge of local market practices and of the capability and reliability of local suppliers. Must understand local and foreign pricing customs and practice. Must have a good knowledge of local and overseas market conditions, and host country's law and policies. Must possess familiarity with business and accounting practices in the Belgian, European Union, and U.S. marketplaces.
- Education Requirements:
**Option A**: Minimum of two years of university studies required and 2 years of experience in procurement, or in related work in commercial, legal, or accounting fields.

**Option B**:Completion of secondary school and 4 years of experience in procurement, or in related work in commercial, legal, or accounting fields.
- Evaluations:
LANGUAGE: Good working knowledge in English. Fluency in French or Dutch. This may be tested.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks required. Good interpersonal skills in order to deal with a variety of Embassy personnel and external contacts. Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office. Must possess good oral and written communication skills, as well as the ability to interact with and confidently advise the Contracting Officer, Embassy section heads, and post management. Must be customer-service oriented and be able to deal tactfully and effectively with a variety of local and overseas vendors and U.S. citizen clients. Must have exceptional interpersonal and negotiating skills.

**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.
- Qualifications:
All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.

**Benefits and Other Info**:

- Benefits:

- Agency Benefits:
Locally Employed Staff, including Members of Household (MOHs), and Third-Country Nationals (TCNs), working at the U.S. Mission in Brussels may receive a compensation package that may include health, separation, and other benefits.

For EFMs, benefits should be discussed with the Human Resources Office.

The pay plan is assigned at the time of the conditional offer letter by the HR Office.
- Other Information:
HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER:

- AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
- AEFM / USEFM
- FS on LWOP and CS with reemployment rights**
- IMPORTANT: 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”), 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 ap