Principal Procurement Officer (Team Leader) - NATO Support and Procurement Agency (Capellen Luxembourg Or Taranto Italy)

About this position

The summary below is published by NATO Support and Procurement Agency on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Administration and management of government/military type contracts for acquisition of materials
• Management of maintenance and repair services of equipment contracts
• Creating and developing diverse, inclusive and high-performing teams
• Developing resourceful and effective solutions to problems
• Conducting complex operational, compliance and performance assessments
• Team leadership, management and supervision of procurement personnel
• Contracting and pricing activities

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: Master's degree in relevant field of study, or Bachelor's level qualification with 8 years' post-related experience in a governmental, intergovernmental or military environment, or equivalent education combined with appropriate relevant professional experience
• Experience: Minimum eight years' experience in procurement activities; thorough experience in administration and management of government/military type contracts at senior staff or management level preferably in an international organisation, national public administration (civil or military), or private sector; sound experience in defence contract operations in the procurement division of a sizeable organis…
• Key skills: Multi-tasking and time management, Working effectively under pressure, Inclusive leadership principles and practice, Problem-solving, Analytical skills, Writing and communication skills, Contracting and pricing, Team leadership and supervision, Knowledge of contracting in international defence projects/programmes, Knowledge of various international procurement regulations and procedures
• Eligibility: Nationals from all Member States; security clearance required; if currently holding a military or administration post, must decide whether to retire, resign, or apply for special leave from national authorities

Selection process

The notice describes the following selection steps:

• Screening process
• Interviews expected approximately six weeks after application closing date

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Initial three year contract.

Working arrangements: Capellen (LUX) or Taranto (ITA); selected candidates can choose their working location.

Hiring unit: NSPA (NATO Support and Procurement Agency).

Position details

Reference

PP540

Directorate-General

PP2-S

Last Verified

18 October 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Principal Procurement Officer (Team Leader) at NSPA based in Capellen Luxembourg Or Taranto Italy. The vacancy reference is PP540. It is hosted by PP2-S, the Directorate-General responsible for this policy area.

Post No PP540/ Ref. No 2025_00580

JOB DESCRIPTION (See link to the full job description in the blue box)

- Master's degree in relevant field of study or relevant professional experience. Acceptable alternatives: Bachelor’s level qualification with 8 years' post-related experience in a governmental, intergovernmental or military environment, or an equivalent education combined with an appropriate amount of relevant, professional experience. - Thorough experience in both the administration and management of government/military type contracts for acquisition of materials and maintenance and repair services of equipment at senior staff or management level preferably in an international organisation, a national public administration (civil or military), or the private sector. - Ability to multi-task, manage time and work effectively under pressure while producing high-quality products under short-notice deadlines. - Demonstrated ability and experience in creating and developing diverse, inclusive and high-performing teams through the application of inclusive leadership principles and practice. - Ability to develop resourceful and effective solutions to problems (including personnel), focus on team performance goals and track metrics to measure performance improvements. - Thorough training in procurement methods and price analysis. - Sound experience in defence contract operations in the procurement division of a sizeable organisation. - Very good analytical, writing, communication skills and the ability to conduct complex operational, compliance and performance assessments. - Minimum eight years' experience in procurement activities. - Demonstrated skill in contracting and pricing, team leadership, management and supervision of a dedicated team of procurement personnel varying in number. - Knowledge of contracting in international defence projects/programmes and various international procurement regulations and procedures. - Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) certification in Public Procurement or equivalent.

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

- Multicultural environment - Initial three year contract with competitive monthly tax-free salary (subject to Article 19 of the Ottawa agreement on exemption of Taxation) - Additional benefits for expatriate staff including expatriation and education allowances (where applicable) and additional home leave - Excellent health coverage - Great work/life balance - Generous annual leave of 6 weeks plus official holidays - Pension Scheme

POST DETAILS

- Capellen (LUX) - Basic monthly salary:EUR 11 231.51, tax free - before insurance and pension contributions. - Taranto (ITA) Basic monthly salary: EUR 8 412.64, tax free - before insurance and pension contributions.

The selected candidates will be able to choose their working location between NSPA HQ in Capellen (LUX) OR the SOC base in Taranto (ITA) and related salaries and contractual conditions will apply accordingly; Dropdown menu: (Capellen (LUX), Taranto (ITA), Both locations are viable.

HOW TO APPLY?

All candidates (internal and external)should refer to the FAQs before applying.

NSPA internal candidates must submit additionally their latest completedperformancereport.

NSPA staff members of the same grade can submit a transfer request till 21st October 2026.

Applications sent via e-mail will be automatically rejected.

All application deadlines are based on the Central European Time (CET) zone.

IMPORTANT NOTES

Qualified redundant NATO civilian candidates of the same grade will be considered in priority.

Interviews are expected to be held approximately six weeks after the application closing date.The Talent Acquisition and Development Office shall let you know in due course the outcome of the screening process.

Moreover, due to the broad interest in NSPA and the large number of potential candidates, telephone or email enquiries cannot be dealt with.

The Agency would appreciate it if addressee countries could provide their support by submitting candidates whose security clearance can be effected (or confirmed) rapidly and who could report for duty as soon as possible after selection.

NSPA as an employer values diverse backgrounds and perspectives and is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and talented workforce. NSPA welcomes applications of nationals from all Member States and strongly encourages women to apply.

EMPLOYMENT STATUS REQUIREMENT FOR CURRENT MILITARY OR ADMINISTRATION POST HOLDERS: Please note that if you currently hold a military or administration post, you will be required to decide, in accordance with your national authorities' regulations, whether to retire or resign from your post, or apply for special leave from your national authorities. If you are invited to a preliminary interview, you will be asked to indicate your preference at that time as well.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Your application should be submitted in one go and you will not be able to modify your data once submitted.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 8 October 2026, 10 days ago.

The application deadline is 4 November 2026, 16 days from today. Late applications are not accepted, so submit through the official EU Careers portal well in advance.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 18 October 2026.

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at NSPA see the NSPA institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Capellen Luxembourg Or Taranto Italy see our Capellen Luxembourg Or Taranto Italy location page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.