Deadline Date: Tuesday 25 August 2026

Requirement: Principal Contracting Assistant

Location: Brussels, BE

Full Time On-Site: Yes

Time On-Site: 100%

Total Scope of the request (hours): 560

Required Start Date: 30 September 2026

End Contract Date: 31 December 2026

Required Security Clearance: NATO SECRET

Duties & Role:  

Under the direction of the Principal Contracting Officer, the incumbent will perform duties such as the following:

• Performs all contractual duties relating to the competitive and sole source procurement process, including; drafting, coordination and release of solicitations, evaluation and analysis of bids, discussions with bidders, and award of contracts in accordance with the Agency's procurement procedures;
• Coordinates and liaises with contractors to ensure compliance and timely performance of contract tasks;
• Manages and processes a high volume of Request for Quotations (RFQs) and Purchase Orders (POs) under some urgency
• Performs contract administration tasks including processing changes and amendments,
• Reviews business cases (requirements, potential benefits and options) and determines appropriate procurement routes. e.g., open market or collaborative framework;
• Investigates, resolves or escalates procurement related issues and problems;
• Implements supplier service improvement actions and programmes;
• Supports the local internal Customers with procurement related issues;
• Provides high quality and timely contribution to ACQ and NCI Agency reporting;
• Keeps line manager informed of problems and concerns;
• Performs any other duties as may be required
• Occasional business travel to NCIA The Hague office when required – not more than 4 times within a calendar year. The associated costs shall be included in the offer and covered by the respective rate.

Requirements

Skills, Knowledge & Experience:

• The candidate must have a currently active NATO SECRET security clearance
• Higher vocational training in a relevant discipline with 4 years post-related experience. Or a secondary educational qualification with 6 years post-related experience.
• Knowledge of monitoring and maintaining all required financial records for compliance and audit to all agreed requirements;
• Knowledge of using appropriate procurement methods; Experience with high value, high volume framework type contracts for services;
• NATO Procurement Knowledge and experience is desirable

Desirable Experience and Education:

• Working in the public sector.
• Prior experience of working in an international environment comprising both military and civilian elements.
• Knowledge of NATO responsibilities and organization
• Vocational training at a higher administrative level, or equivalent combination of appropriate national qualifications and experience, supplemented by basic level contracting training courses.
• At least eight years' experience at a responsible level in contracting, finance or business.
• Demonstrated knowledge of competitive and sole source procurement procedures, price analysis techniques, contract law, contract administration and industrial practices.
• Experience with the procurement of software licenses; knowledge of different software models (perpetual and subscriptions).
• Ability to work responsibly and independently.
• Language Proficiency: Most of the work of the NCI Agency is conducted in the English language.