Contract Specialist (Agile)

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

The Joint, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Interagency Division (JOID) provides expert support services to a range of customers spanning across the Department of Defense, Federal Civilian, and international markets. JOID provides a diverse portfolio of analytical and programmatic capabilities to help our customers make informed decisions on their most challenging issues.

SPA's NATO Allied Command Transformation Group, within JOID, provides capability development, portfolio management, program management, quality management, cost estimation analysis, standardization, reporting, software solutions and information management, and capability management support. We also provide an improved capability requirements capture process, including the generation, documentation and tracing of user requirements, with appropriate technical scrutiny, over the entire lifecycle of the requirements from capability definition through capability realization and capability usage.

We have a near-term need for a Contract Specialist (Agile) to provide onsite support out of Norfolk, VA.

The Contract Specialist will support NATO ACT with the following specific tasks: identify opportunities to align with, or recommend changes to, policies that govern the operations of the ACT Innovation laboratory. Work with NATO Contracting, Budget, and Finance (BUDFIN) mechanisms to identify the best acquisition solutions that meet ACT Innovation requirements. Track and manage ACT Innovation software applications and infrastructure to ensure the environment supports agile software development. Collaborate with ACT Innovation Team members and NATO BUDFIN to ensure agile methodologies apply to all product development and enabling functions as defined during onboarding. Support drafting, management, and execution of acquisition strategies, RFPs, SOWs, and evaluation criteria tailored for agile, modular, and outcome-based contracts. Promote modern technologies and approaches to inspire compliance with NATO's acquisition processes while enabling innovation. Facilitate vendor engagement and support transparent evaluation processes in line with NATO acquisition rules. Perform additional acquisition or contracting-related tasks as directed by the COTR.

Required:

• Citizenship of one of the NATO member countries.
• Bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours of business or management-related courses, OR DAWIA certification in Contracting/Acquisition or equivalent.
• 3+ years of experience working in contract/acquisition-related fields.
• Familiarity with NATO-specific acquisition publications, regulations, and requirements documents.
• Proven experience managing acquisition and contract strategies in defense/government institutions.
• Demonstrated understanding of Agile practices and ability to translate and apply them in NATO or national defense environments.
• Experience working closely with cross-functional teams and facilitating collaboration across technical, financial, and operational domains.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate meetings and drive outcomes.
• Ability to break down complex acquisition/contracting problems into measurable, manageable parts.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to adapt communication style to audience.
• Experience promoting modern technologies in acquisition approaches to achieve creative compliance with NATO processes.
• Some experience with modern software technologies and cloud-based infrastructure.
• Fluent in English (written and oral).
• Active NATO Secret-level security clearance or valid national Secret clearance.