For further information - the complete position description listing all of the duties, responsibilities, required qualifications, etc. may be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Office at [email protected].
Make Your Mark on a Mission-Critical Team
Are you ready to take the next step in your procurement career? The U.S. Mission to France is seeking an experienced, motivated professional to join our high-impact Procurement Section as Senior Procurement Agent—a role that combines technical expertise, leadership, and the opportunity to serve as deputy to the Procurement Supervisor.
Why This Role Matters
Our Procurement Section is the engine behind the U.S. Mission's operations, supporting 59 agencies and offices across France. Each year, the team executes approximately 3,500 orders worth an average of $51 million in commodities and services. As Senior Procurement Agent you will play a central role in ensuring the Mission has what it needs to succeed—handling some of our most complex and high-value acquisitions.
What You'll Do
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Serve as the most Senior Procurement Agent in the section, leading acquisitions exceeding $350,000
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The incumbent prepares primarily contracts for a variety of complex requirements for review and approval by the Procurement Supervisor and the Contracting Officer; prepares contracts for supplies
and services of a broad variety for the American Embassy, Paris.
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Works on complex and difficult procurement actions e.g. Medical Insurance, Transportation Services, Construction, Security, VIP related requirements and other high dollar, complex projects.
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Act as deputy to the Procurement Supervisor, stepping in to manage all contracting matters in their absence
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Provide expert advice and mentorship to colleagues across the section
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Exercise independent judgment and resourcefulness in applying procurement regulations and procedures
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Partner closely with the Contracting Officer and Procurement Supervisor on high-visibility acquisitions
What You'll Bring
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Strong knowledge of procurement regulations, contracting procedures, and compliance standards
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Proven ability to manage complex, high-dollar-value contracts independently
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Leadership skills to guide and support fellow contract specialists
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Sound judgment and the confidence to represent the Procurement Supervisor when needed
Why Join Us
This is more than a job—it's an opportunity to grow into greater leadership responsibility, sharpen your expertise on high-stakes acquisitions, and be recognized as a go-to expert within one of the Mission's most vital sections. If you're ready to elevate your career while making a tangible impact on Mission operations, we want to hear from you.
Requirements:
All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a: Non-Sensitive-Low Risk Public Trust security clearance.
All selected candidates will be subject to a background investigation and may be subject to a pre-employment medical exam.
Selected candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time [12 weeks] upon receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.
Education Requirements:
A Bachelors in Commercial/Business, Legal or Engineering Fields is required.
Please address this factor in your ERA application under Education.
Evaluations:
You will be evaluated against the qualifications and requirements in this vacancy announcement.
You may be asked to complete a pre-employment language or skills test.
You must complete the application form and provide the required documents. Your application must address all the position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, language, and any knowledge/skills/abilities listed. If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position.
Qualifications:
Experience:
At least five years of progressively responsible experience in Commercial/Business, Legal or Engineering Fields is required.
Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.
Language: These will be tested
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French: Fluent - speaking/reading/writing, may include the ability to translate.
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English: Fluent - speaking/reading/writing, may include the ability to translate.
Please address this language requirement in your ERA application.
Job Knowledge:
Excellent knowledge of local laws and regulations governing commercial transactions in France and also market practices and pricing customs.
Excellent knowledge of established principles and practices of contracting work including the application of complex laws and regulations.
A thorough knowledge of price and cost analysis techniques sufficient to evaluate cost proposals and price adjustment claim.
A thorough knowledge of technical engineering norms for a variety of construction requirements.
Excellent knowledge of a variety of complex contracts
Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.
Skills And Abilities:
Computer literacy required. Ability to use word-processing and spreadsheet programs required.
Ability to analyze the essential elements of requests for goods and services and to summarize them cogently.
Good mathematical and accounting skills as well as good judgment required.
Strong negotiating skills, to obtain optimum goods and services on behalf of the customers.
Ability to identify and establish accurate technical data for varying specifications.
Ability to comprehend technical language and relate and discuss post requirements with prospective vendors.
Ability to accomplish multiple tasks or work on more than one project at a time.
Ability to work calmly under pressure.
Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.
Benefits:
Agency Benefits:
- SALARY: the annual gross salary includes: the profit-sharing allowance, the vacation allowance, the bonus allowance and the “Comité d’Entreprise” allowance.
MEAL TICKETS: Meal tickets have a face value of EUR 8.25/day. 60% of the daily amount is paid by the U.S. Government. An employee contribution of EUR 3.30 per ticket will be deducted in payroll. The number of meal tickets is limited to 202 workdays per year.
TRANSPORTATION: Employees are eligible for a reimbursement of 50% of the cost of public transportation passes purchased for commuting purposes.
HOLIDAYS: The U.S. Missions in France observe eleven U.S. holidays per year and up to ten French holidays.
WE ALSO OFFER:
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A rewarding work environment at the heart of bilateral relations
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The opportunity to contribute to meaningful and diverse projects
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An inter-agency awards program to recognize outstanding contributions
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Real opportunities at the crossroads of commitment and skills provided employees have the required qualifications, relevant experience, and the motivation to grow
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Special leave: 5 days per year dedicated to caring for a sick family member (with supporting documentation)
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Employee onboarding program
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 SELECTION PROCESS:
A hiring preference is extended to eligible and qualified applicants in the order listed below. It is essential you accurately describe your status in your application, failure to do so may result in a determination that you are not eligible for a hiring preference.
HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER
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Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM) / U.S. citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM) who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
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Foreign Service (FS) on Leave without Pay (LWOP) and Civil Service (CS) with reemployment rights **
IMPORTANT: US citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM) 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”) preferably Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs which indicates the present existence of a service-connected disability, 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 appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given.
** This level of preference applies to all FS employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau.
For complete definitions of AEFM, USEFM, EFM, Member of Household, etc., please visit the 3 FAM 7210 Definitions.
ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT CONSIDERATIONS
The following apply to EFMs, USEFMs, and AEFMs only:
Current employees who used a hiring preference to gain employment who are within their first 90 calendar days of employment are not eligible. This does not apply when the hiring mechanism is TEMP or the work schedule is intermittent or irregular.
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- Candidates with a hiring preference who have already accepted a conditional offer of employment may NOT be extended a second conditional offer of employment unless and until they withdraw their candidacy for the first position in writing.
The following apply to Locally Employed (LE) staff only:
- Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible.
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Current employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs Improvement, Unsatisfactory, or an MBC score of less than 100 points on their most recent Employee Performance Report are not eligible.
