The Secretariat of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA 2006) was established in Brussels, Belgium, on 8 September 2008.

The Secretariat supports the Joint Committee and all CEFTA bodies established by the Joint Committee, in accordance with the mandate of the Secretariat. The CEFTA Parties and the European Commission currently finance the Secretariat and its activities.

In recent years, the CEFTA Joint Committee has agreed on an ambitious agenda to further contribute to economic growth. This includes additional liberalisation and trade facilitation, as well as advancing investment-related issues outlined in the Agreement.

CEFTA plays an important role in delivering the regional economic integration agenda set out in the Common Regional Market (CRM) Action Plan 2025-2028 and translated each year into annual chairmanship priorities and working programmes of the CEFTA bodies. CEFTA activities have three important pillars: trade in goods (free movement of goods), trade in services (free movement of services), and horizontal trade measures relevant to both goods and services. These include, but are not limited to, trade dispute settlement, competition, public procurement, statistics, trade-related aspects of environmental policies, intellectual property rights, and transparency.

Furthermore, the CEFTA Secretariat plays an important role in securing and managing additional financing for the functioning of the Secretariat and for CEFTA-related activities. To date, the Secretariat has secured substantial funding under the European Commission’s IPA programme. Much of these funds are used to provide technical assistance and targeted expertise to assist the CEFTA Parties in implementing the Agreement and the various decisions of the Joint Committee. Thus, the Secretariat has an important role to play in the project management of technical assistance activities.

As the number of CEFTA structures has expanded, so too has the scope of the work programmes. The Secretariat has adapted accordingly to support this broader mandate. In line with the Joint Committee Decision No. 10/2024 amending Decision 1/2018 on the Functioning of the Secretariat, the core team of the CEFTA Secretariat is comprised of a Director, Trade Experts, and administrative staff. Since July 2015, the Secretariat has also benefited from a rotating system of secondments from the CEFTA Parties, which continues to this day.

In accordance with the mandate of the CEFTA Secretariat, the Procurement Officer implements procurement processes in line with internal rules and procedures, ensuring the timely and high-quality acquisition of external services and goods.

The main tasks and responsibilities include the following:

Procurement Management

• Manage end-to-end procurement processes in line with internal rules and procedures, from planning and forecasting to contract administration and close-out.
• Support technical units in the preparation of procurement procedures, ensuring alignment with the approved procurement plan and available budget.
• Prepare and/or coordinate the development of procurement documentation (e.g., tender dossiers and related documentation) in accordance with applicable rules, including but not limited to publication, clarifications to tenderers, and procedural guidance throughout the process.
• Coordinate the administrative management of procurement procedures, including support to evaluation committees (e.g., evaluation documentation, evaluation reports) and communication with tenderers.
• Support contract formalisation, including preparation of contracts and related amendments/addenda, and coordination of signature processes.
• Monitor administrative implementation of contracts in coordination with project managers and the Financial Officer, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and proper documentation.
• Support invoice processing and contractual documentation follow-up in line with internal procedures.

Reporting, Compliance and Audit Support

• Maintain and regularly update procurement planning documentation.
• Contribute to procurement reporting to the European Commission and other donors.
• Provide procurement-related documentation for external audits and ensure proper archiving of procurement files.
• Prepare ad hoc procurement reports as required.

Archiving and Asset Management

• Ensure systematic filing and archiving of procurement documentation.
• Manage the procurement of office supplies and equipment.
• Maintain and regularly update the inventory of office assets, including IT equipment.
• Support annual inventory exercises.

Other 

• Perform other duties related to the mandate of the CEFTA Secretariat, as required, including tasks assigned by the Head of Administration and/or the Director, and in support of CEFTA Parties, as appropriate.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in law, public administration, business management, economics or political science.

Preferred:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or higher) in law, public administration, business management, economics or political science.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in applying procurement rules and procedures.
• Demonstrated experience applying the EU PRAG in procurement procedures.

Preferred:

• Experience working on EU-funded projects.
• Previous experience or demonstrated knowledge in internal audit and EU rules and procedures for grant contracts.

TECHNICAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Languages: Fluency in English at C1 level (written and spoken) is required.
  Knowledge of CEFTA Party languages is considered an asset.
• Procurement Expertise: Strong knowledge of procurement and contract management processes, including EU PRAG requirements, ensuring procurement actions are compliant, well-documented, and audit ready.

SOFT SKILLS

• Results orientation – Consistently aligns actions with the Secretariat’s mission, delivers timely and high-quality work, demonstrates perseverance and initiative, seeks to add value, operates independently while recognising limitations, and remains resilient under pressure.
• Working with people – Demonstrates proactive communication and knowledge sharing within the team, consistently treats colleagues with respect, offers support, addresses issues openly, avoids non-constructive behaviours, and contributes to a positive work environment by recognising collective achievements.
• Planning and organising – Plans and organises work strategically in line with objectives, taking into account timelines, contingencies, and the workload of others, while setting clear standards and adhering to internal principles and procedures.
• Integrity – Prioritises the organisation’s interests over individual or unit interests, promotes fairness, upholds the Secretariat’s external image, adopts a constructive approach in conflict situations, and maintains confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Communication – Communicates effectively by presenting information clearly and concisely, simplifying complex topics, actively listening to ensure understanding, and adapting messages based on audience needs and feedback while emphasising key points.
• Analytical thinking – Analyses complex information and problems effectively, anticipates the impact of potential solutions, develops innovative approaches, applies analytical reasoning to practical scenarios, and proactively identifies and mitigates risks.
• Partner alignment – Engages proactively with internal stakeholders to understand and respond to their needs, proposes tailored solutions, maintains timely communication, balances technical and administrative requirements, and monitors stakeholder satisfaction.

The place of employment is Brussels, and the position is based on an effective 40-hour work week (38 hours per week on average taking into account compensatory time off). The role may require travel.

The monthly salary for this post (regular employee) is paid on a basis of 13.92 months per year (taking in account vacation pay and 13th month as per Belgian legislation). The salary is subject to Belgian social security contributions (with a potential opt-out) and taxes. The minimum gross salary is EUR 5,129 per month (equivalent to EUR 71,400 annually).

The salary is supplemented by a competitive benefits package.

Employees are entitled to 20 days of annual leave per year and 10 official public holidays observed in Belgium, as well as those observed by the European Commission. In addition, one additional day per month worked is granted (compensatory time-off so as to respect an average working time of 38 hours per week).

The position allows for telework, subject to organisational needs, and based on prior approval by the Head of Administration/Director of the CEFTA Secretariat.

The type and duration of the contract is a fixed-term contract of three years, with the possibility of a one-time extension of up to three additional years, based on the needs of the service and availability of funds. The exact duration of any extension will be determined in accordance with the respective Joint Committee decision.

All new staff must successfully complete a six-month probationary period.

The Secretariat is an equal opportunities employer.

Applications must be submitted through the CEFTA Secretariat’s designated online Application Form, accessible at the following link.

Applications must be received no later than the deadline specified in this Vacancy Announcement. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Receipt of all applications will be confirmed by email acknowledgment.

Candidates may review the CEFTA Candidate Journey here, outlining the key stages of the recruitment process.

A Selection Committee shall be established in accordance with CEFTA Joint Committee Decision No. 2/2019 and other applicable internal rules.

The Selection Committee will conduct the procedure in line with the provisions set out in the above-mentioned Decision and the Secretariat’s internal recruitment framework.

Applications will first be assessed against the eligibility requirements and minimum qualifications specified in this Vacancy Announcement. Only candidates meeting the mandatory criteria will proceed to further evaluation.

Eligible applications will then be evaluated against the selection criteria outlined in the Vacancy Announcement.

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to participate in one or more assessment stages, which may include a written technical test and/or competency-based assessments.

The final stage of the procedure will consist of structured interviews with the highest-ranked candidates.

Applicants must be able to provide, upon request, professional references attesting to their ability to perform the duties of the position.

Applicants must have no personal interest (financial, family relationship, or other) that could conflict with the impartial performance of their duties within the CEFTA Secretariat.

The CEFTA Secretariat and/or CEFTA Parties may request documentary evidence supporting the information provided in the application (e.g. diplomas, certificates, and employment records), particularly from shortlisted candidates.