Senior Contracting & Procurement Officer

Spektrum supports apex purchasers (NATO, UN, EU, and National Government and Defence) and their Tier 1 supplier ecosystem with a wide range of specialist services. We provide our clients with professional services, specialised aerospace and defence sales, delivery, and operational subject matter expertise. We are looking for personnel to join our team and support key client projects.

Who we are supporting 

The NATO Communication and Information Agency (NCIA) is responsible for providing secure and effective communications and information technology (IT) services to NATO's member countries and its partners. The agency was established in 2012 and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

The NCIA provides a wide range of services, including:

• Cyber Security: The NCIA provides advanced cybersecurity solutions to protect NATO's communication networks and information systems against cyber threats.
• Command and Control Systems: The NCIA develops and maintains the systems used by NATO's military commanders to plan and execute operations.
• Satellite Communications: The NCIA provides satellite communications services to enable secure and reliable communications between NATO forces.
• Electronic Warfare: The NCIA provides electronic warfare services to support NATO's mission to detect, deny, and defeat threats to its communication networks.
• Information Management: The NCIA manages NATO's information technology infrastructure, including its databases, applications, and servers.

Overall, the NCIA plays a critical role in ensuring the security and effectiveness of NATO's communication and information technology capabilities.

The program

Assistance and Advisory Service (AAS)

The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) is NATO’s principal C3 capability deliverer and CIS service provider. It provides, maintains and defends the NATO enterprise-wide information technology infrastructure to enable Allies to consult together under Article IV, and, when required, stand together in the face of attack under Article V.

To provide these critical services, in the modern evolving dynamic environment the NCI Agency needs to build and maintain high performance-engaged workforce. The NCI Agency workforce strategically consists of three major categorise's: NATO International Civilians (NIC)'s, Military (Mil), and Interim Workforce Consultants (IWC)'s. The IWCs are a critical part of the overall NCI Agency workforce and make up approximately 15 percent of the total workforce.

Role ID – C005468

Role Background

• The role manages tender, evaluation, and acquisition processes for complex, high-value procurement programs, working across supplier negotiation, contract compliance, and KPI-driven performance oversight, with roughly 30% on-site presence between Brussels and The Hague.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage tender, evaluation, and acquisition processes
• Research suppliers and markets to inform commercial strategy and sourcing plans
• Advise on business cases for alternative sourcing models
• Advise on tendering policy, supplier selection, and procurement procedures
• Negotiate with partners and suppliers, developing acceptance criteria
• Oversee and measure fulfilment of contractual obligations using KPIs
• Develop strategies to address under-performance and compliance failures
• Ensure compliance with organizational and legal policies/procedures
• Work across complex procurement programs and activities
• Build key relationships with other business functions and providers
• Record purchasing documentation (orders, bidding)
• Use available procurement systems/tools; ensure compliance with regulations and contract specs

Essential Skills, Experience and Certifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university (related discipline) + 3 years post-related experience — or 10+ years' progressive equivalent expertise in lieu of a degree
• Demonstrated experience leading complex Acquisition, Procurement, and Contracts matters in a large international institution (NATO, UN, EU, national MoD) or large international company
• Significant experience in pre- and post-award contracting for high-value, complex systems acquisitions (e.g., Contracts Manager, Procuring Contracting Officer level)
• Strong grasp of competitive/sole-source procurement, negotiation, cost/price analysis, contract law, contract administration, and logistics principles
• Ability to work independently on complex, large systems-level acquisitions
• Strong written/verbal communication, including presenting to senior management
• Experience with e-procurement/ERP/P2P automation tools
• Desirable: public/private commercial sector experience, prior international military/civilian environment exposure, NATO organizational knowledge
• Highly desirable: experience in ICT, AI, cloud capabilities, secure data environments, next-gen digital services (candidates should describe relevant experience, max 100 words per category, in application)
• Working language: English

Working Location

• Brussels, Belgium (primary); The Hague as secondary

Working Policy

• Estimated approximately 30% on-site work (participation to meetings, workshops, as required and with 1 day advance notice); remaining 70% can be delivered off-site from any Belgium neighbouring country.

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required (see above)

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance