ICT Expert (Senior) – Data & AI Platform (Proof of Concept)

Location: Brussels, Belgium
Work Model: Hybrid
Start Date: 15 June 2026
Contract Duration: Until 15 March 2027
Workload: Full-time (100%)
Application Deadline: 03 June 2026

About the Role

We are looking for a Senior ICT Expert to support the design, development, and operationalization of a data-driven policy monitoring platform within the Department of Culture, Youth and Media.

The project focuses on building a first AI-enabled access layer for policy and sector data, allowing users to query complex datasets using natural language and receive structured, transparent, and traceable answers supported by source data, calculations, and context.

You will play a key role across the entire platform lifecycle—from ideation and architecture to implementation and go-live—ensuring the solution is scalable, robust, and future-proof.

Key Responsibilities

Platform Design & Architecture

• Contribute to the design and implementation of a data-driven AI platform.
• Ensure architectural decisions align with long-term scalability and sustainability.
• Support the development of a future-proof technical architecture for data access and AI-driven querying.
• Validate design decisions with relevant stakeholders and governance bodies.

Data Engineering & Platforms

• Design and support implementation of:
  • Data warehouses
  • Data lakes
  • ETL/ELT pipelines
• Ensure high-quality integration of structured and unstructured data sources.
• Work with AWS-based data and analytics services.

AI & Data Access Layer

• Support development of a natural language interface for policy data queries.
• Ensure traceability of outputs (source, calculation, and context).
• Contribute to proof-of-concept development for AI-driven data access.
• Ensure alignment between AI models, data structures, and business needs.

Software Development & Quality Assurance

• Oversee software quality including:
  • Stability
  • Reusability
  • Testability
  • Documentation standards
• Identify and mitigate technical risks, dependencies, and trade-offs.
• Ensure delivery of a working and validated proof-of-concept.

Product & Strategy Alignment

• Contribute to product vision and roadmap development.
• Ensure alignment between product strategy and stakeholder expectations.
• Support prioritization of features and technical capabilities.

Delivery & Team Leadership

• Guide development teams during implementation phases.
• Support Agile/SCRUM delivery cycles.
• Coordinate with developers, analysts, and project leadership.
• Ensure smooth transition from proof-of-concept to operational solution.

Required Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience in ICT/technology roles (expert level).
• Strong experience in:
  • Data project management
  • Data platforms (data lakes, warehouses, ETL pipelines)
  • AWS cloud environments
  • Python development
• Proven experience in product strategy, roadmap development, and lifecycle management.

Technical Skills

• AWS cloud services (data & analytics focus)
• Data engineering (ETL/ELT, pipelines, orchestration)
• Data warehouse and data lake architectures
• Python development
• SCRUM / Agile methodologies

Language Requirements

• Native-level Dutch proficiency (CEFR C2).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the cultural sector or public sector environments.
• Strong understanding of data governance and policy-driven analytics.
• Experience with AI/ML-enabled systems or natural language interfaces.
• Strong stakeholder management experience in complex environments.
• Ability to bridge technical architecture and strategic policy needs.

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking.
• Ability to design and deliver complex data-driven systems.
• Strong ownership of technical quality and delivery outcomes.
• Ability to manage trade-offs between scalability, performance, and usability.
• Excellent communication with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to lead technical delivery teams in a structured environment.

About the Project

This initiative aims to build a next-generation policy intelligence platform that enables natural language access to validated cultural and sector data. The system will support:

• Evidence-based policy making
• Transparent and traceable AI-generated insights
• Structured access to complex datasets
• Integration of multiple validated data sources

The role sits at the intersection of data engineering, AI, and public sector innovation.

Apply Now

Interested candidates should apply before 03 June 2026. Due to the strategic nature of the assignment and tight timeline, early applications are strongly recommended.