The European Defence Agency (EDA) was established on 12 July 2004, and is governed by Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1835 defining the statute, seat and operational rules of the European Defence Agency. The Agency has its headquarters in Brussels.
The main task of EDA is to support the Council and the Member States in their effort to improve the Union's defence capabilities in the field of crisis management and to sustain the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) as it currently stands and as it develops in the future.
The Agency is structured into four directorates. The Corporate Services Directorate (CSD) and three operational directorates: Industry, Synergies and Enablers (ISE); Capability, Armament & Planning (CAP); Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI).
The Agency is an “outward-facing” organisation, constantly interacting with its shareholders, the participating Member States, as well as with a wide range of stakeholders. It works in an integrated way, with multi-disciplinary teams representing all of the Agency’s functional areas, to realise its objectives. Its business processes are flexible and oriented towards achieving results. Staff at all levels need to demonstrate the corresponding qualities of commitment, flexibility, innovation, and team-working; to work effectively with shareholders and stakeholder groups, formal and informal; and to operate without the need for detailed direction.
The Corporate Services Directorate (CSD) provides critical business support to EDA operations by delivering high-quality corporate services under seven dedicated organizational elements, namely: Human Resources; Procurement and Contract Management; Finance; IT and Information Management, Security, Legal and Infrastructure. Additionally, the Record Manager is responsible for the effective management of information produced and/or received by the organisation.
CSD processes are geared towards efficient and optimal use of resources, leveraging good practice and technological solutions while ensuring sound financial management, transparency and accountability; outward focus and commitment to continuous improvement are the hallmarks of CSD.
The Senior Procurement and Contract Officer for Collaborative Procurement coordinates a portfolio of collaborative procurement initiatives covering a broad range of military equipment and defence services, ensuring their efficient implementation in full compliance with the applicable legal and regulatory framework. The role is strongly coordination-oriented and hands-on, directly supporting procurement and contract files, preparing and conducting procedures, following contracts throughout their lifecycle, and facilitating day-to-day cooperation with Project Officers and relevant stakeholders. It also contributes to the development of suitable sourcing approaches and governance arrangements, in full respect of the distribution of roles and responsibilities with the Project Officers. Stakeholder management and reporting constitutes a key element of the post. Through close coordination, negotiation, risk management, and continuous improvement, the role contributes to informed decision-making, value for money, and the achievement of the Agency’s collaborative procurement objectives. The role does not entail managerial responsibility.
Under the supervision of the Head of Procurement and Contract Unit, the Senior Procurement and Contract Officer for Collaborative Procurement will contribute in particular to the following activities:
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coordinate the day-to-day implementation of the collaborative procurement portfolio, covering a broad range of military equipment and defence services;
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coordinate the work of the procurement and contract officers supporting the portfolio, ensuring effective day-to-day cooperation and follow-up;
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prepare, handle, and follow up procurement and contractual files in close cooperation with Project Officers and relevant stakeholders;
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contribute to the development of appropriate procurement approaches and governance arrangements, ensuring alignment with Member States’ capability requirements and Agency priorities;
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ensure coherence with broader EU defence initiatives and funding programmes;
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provide close coordination and hands-on support for the preparation, launch, and conduct of procurement procedures and contracts, ensuring consistency with operational requirements and compliance with the applicable rules and regulations;
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provide hands-on support for the administration of complex and high-value contracts throughout their lifecycle, including reporting on the portfolio;
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support the resolution of complex issues arising from collaborative procurement initiatives by proposing practical and workable solutions;
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identify, follow up, and help address procurement and contract risks in close coordination with Project Officers and relevant stakeholders;
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contribute to the integration of development, production, test and evaluation considerations into collaborative procurement processes;
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identify and leverage synergies between collaborative procurement and innovation procurement initiatives within the Agency;
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integrate policy, legal, financial, and project-related inputs and prepare a variety of written material to support informed decision-making;
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negotiate with Member States, EU institutions and other external stakeholders in the context of collaborative procurement initiatives, programmes/projects;
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contribute to relevant working groups and committees;
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promote best-practice and contribute to the development and continuous improvement of procurement policies, standard operating procedures, and tools within the Agency;
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participate in relevant meetings, working groups, and external fora on behalf of the Agency;
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provide regular follow-up and reporting on the progress of the activities under coordination;
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provide practical support to audit activities and coordinate the related follow-up actions;
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adapt to evolving priorities and operational demands in a dynamic, multinational environment;
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take on additional tasks as required in the interest of the service.
All of the above activities shall be carried out in support of, and in close coordination with, Project Officers, in full respect of the respective distribution of roles and responsibilities.
The duties associated with this post may evolve in line with the development of EDA’s structure and activities, as well as the Agency’s organisational needs.
To be considered eligible to take part in this selection procedure, on the closing date for the submission of applications candidates must satisfy all the eligibility criteria as specified below:
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be a national of a Member State participating in the Agency;
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be entitled to their full rights as citizens;
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have fulfilled any obligations imposed on them by the laws concerning military service;
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produce the appropriate character references as to their suitability for the performance of their duties (extract from the “judicial record” or certificate of good conduct will be requested prior to recruitment);
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be physically fit to perform their duties;
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have a thorough knowledge (minimum level C1 oral and written) of one of the languages of the participating Member States and a satisfactory knowledge (minimum level B2 oral and written) of another of these languages to the extent necessary to discharge their duties;
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have no personal interest (financial, family relationship, or other) which could be in conflict with disinterested discharge of their duties within the Agency;
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hold, or be in a position to obtain, a valid Personnel Security Clearance Certificate (national or EU PSC at SECRET UE/EU SECRET level). Personnel Security Clearance Certificate (PSCC) means a certificate issued by a competent authority establishing that an individual is security cleared and holds a valid national or EU PSC, and which shows the level of EUCI to which that individual may be granted access (SECRET UE/EU SECRET), the date of validity of the relevant PSC and the date of expiry of the certificate itself. Note that the necessary procedure for obtaining a PSCC can be initiated on request of the employer only, and not by the individual candidate;
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have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is four years or more, or a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma and appropriate professional experience of at least one year when the normal period of university education is at least three years or be a graduate of a national or international Defence College; or where justified in the interests of the service, professional training of an equivalent level.
Only diplomas that have been awarded in EU Member States or that are the subject of equivalence certificates issued by the authorities in the said Member States shall be taken into consideration. In the latter case, the authority authorised to conclude contracts of employment reserves the right to request proof of such equivalence.
For diplomas awarded in non-EU countries, a NARIC recognition is required: https://www.enic-naric.net/
Qualifications/diplomas awarded until 31/12/2020 in the United Kingdom are accepted without further recognition. For diplomas awarded after this date (from 01/01/2021), a NARIC recognition is required.
For native English speakers, your ability to communicate in another EU language will be tested during the selection process. To assess your foreign language levels, see: https://europa.eu/europass/en/common-european-framework-reference-language-skills
A. ESSENTIAL
(1) Professional
The candidate will be required to demonstrate that he/she has:
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a University degree (or equivalent academic degree) in a field relevant to the post;
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at least eight (8) years of relevant professional experience, acquired after the award of the minimum qualification required as a condition of eligibility;
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at least six (6) years of experience in defence and/or EU/international public procurement;
- extensive knowledge of relevant EU rules and regulations, incl. Regulation 2024/2509, Directives 2014/24/EU and/or 2009/81/EC;
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experience in coordinating complex and high-value procurement procedures from planning through implementation, across multiple procurement methods and contract types;
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experience in coordinating complex contracts and/or projects, including in relation to export control, intellectual property rights, security requirements, technical complexity, industrial considerations, and multi-stakeholder environments;
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experience in coordinating multicultural teams;
- a very good command of written and oral English.
(2) Personal
All staff must be able to fit into the Agency's way of working (see par. 2). Other attributes important for this post include:
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ability to work in a team and independently in his/her area of responsibility;
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ability to work effectively in a multinational environment;
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reliability and capacity to work under pressure with little supervision;
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sound communication and organisational skills;
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strong problem-solving skills, including creativity within the applicable rules and framework;
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excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills;
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strong goal orientation, with a sense of end-to-end accountability for the tasks under his/her responsibility;
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flexibility and innovativeness;
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genuine commitment to the Agency's objectives;
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a well-developed sense of judgement and discretion, combined with full respect for the roles and responsibilities of others.
B. DESIRABLE
The following will be considered an advantage:
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hold a degree in EU public procurement law;
- military experience and familiarity with EU defence national environments/ministries of defence;
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previous deployments in military and/or civilian missions & operations;
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experience in collaborative procurement of military equipment and/or defence services;
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hold an internationally recognised project management qualification;
- familiarity with EU-funded programmes in defence industry and grants.
EDA, whose staff are governed by its own Staff Regulations, offers specific conditions of employment with regards to contract duration and pension arrangements.
CONTRACT DURATION
Subject to budget availability, the Senior Procurement and Contract Officer for Collaborative Procurement will be appointed by the Chief Executive. Recruitment will be as a member of the temporary staff of the Agency for a 4-year period. Renewal is possible only once for an additional period of 4 years, within the limits set out in the EDA Staff Regulations. The successful candidate will be recruited as Temporary Agent, grade AD9. In line with EDA's Staff Regulations, the Agency does not offer inter-Agency mobility.
FINANCIAL ENTITLEMENTS
The pay for this position consists of a basic salary of 10.082,77€ supplemented with various allowances including, as applicable, expatriation or family allowances. Successful candidates are graded on entry into service according to the length of their professional experience. Salaries are exempted from national tax, instead an Agency tax is deducted at source.
PENSION ARRANGEMENTS SPECIFIC TO EDA
Prospective staff members considering a career at the European Defence Agency (EDA) should be aware that EDA has its own pension provisions and is not part of the EU institutions' pension scheme (PSEUI).
In addition, EDA staff have several flexible options regarding their pension contributions at the end of their contract, under certain conditions, such as:
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transfer to a public pension scheme;
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transfer to a private pension scheme;
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direct payment as a severance grant.
For further information on working conditions please refer to: https://eda.europa.eu/jobs/what-we-offer
The selected candidate will be required to make a declaration of commitment to act independently in the Agency’s interest and to make a declaration in relation to interests that might be considered prejudicial to their independence.
EDA is an equal opportunities employer and accepts applications without distinction on the grounds of age, race, political, philosophical or religious conviction, sex or sexual orientation and regardless of disabilities, marital status or family situation.
Applications are invited with a view to establish a reserve list for the post of Senior Procurement and Contract Officer for Collaborative Procurement at EDA. This list will be valid until 31/12/2027, and may be extended by decision of the Chief Executive. During the validity of the reserve list, successful candidates may be offered a post in EDA according to their competences in relation to the specific requirements of the vacant post. Inclusion on the reserve list does not imply any entitlement of employment in the Agency.
Candidates must submit their application electronically solely via the EDA website. Applications by any other means (hard copy or ordinary e-mail) will not be accepted. Applications must be submitted no later than midnight. Candidates are reminded that the on-line application system will not accept applications after midnight (Brussels time, GMT+1) on the date of the deadline. Please note that once you have created your EDA profile, any correspondence regarding your application must be sent or received via your EDA profile. For any prior enquiry, please refer to the FAQ (Frequently asked questions) section, or send an e-mail to [email protected].
When applying, candidates from Ministries of Defence or other governmental entities are encouraged to inform their national administration.
A selection panel will be appointed. Please note that the selection panel's internal proceedings are strictly confidential and that any contact with its members is forbidden. Each application will be screened based on the requirements of the job profile stated in the vacancy notice. The most suitable applicants will be called for an interview and a written test. Candidates may also be requested to take part in an assessment centre, participating in a number of individual and group activities related to the competences required for the post.
EDA will not accept any phase of the selection & recruitment process prepared or assisted, in whole or in part, by means of generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots, such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (Chat GPT), or other language generating tools. EDA reserves the right to screen applications to identify the use of such tools. All applications prepared, in whole or in part, by means of such generative or creative AI tools may be rejected without further consideration at EDA’s sole discretion, and EDA reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.
If recruited, candidates will be requested to supply documentary evidence in support of the statements made in their application. They should not send any supporting or supplementary information until asked to do so by the Agency. Candidates are advised that part of the recruitment process includes medical analyses and physical check-up with the Agency’s Medical Adviser.
Staff members employed at EDA require a Personnel Security Clearance Certificate (PSCC). The process to obtain a PSCC can be initiated only by EDA on behalf of the staff member. Failure to obtain the requisite security clearance certificate before the expiration of the probationary period may be cause for termination of the contract.
Please note that EDA will not return applications to candidates. The personal information EDA requests from candidates will be processed in line with Regulation (EU) N° 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) 45/2001 and Decision No. 1247/2002/EC.
The purpose of processing personal data which candidates submit is to manage applications in view of possible pre-selection and recruitment at EDA. More information on personal data protection in relation to selection and recruitment can be found on the EDA website: http://www.eda.europa.eu/jobs/dataprotection
