Legal Advisers - Legal & Executive Affairs

Role Description

ESA is recruiting several Legal Advisers to join its Legal and Executive Affairs Department (LEA) in 2025. We are looking for EEA/EU law generalists with the ability to specialise in subject areas such as internal market, competition or State aid law.

Within ESA, LEA is responsible for providing legal advice and support with regard to policy formulation, co-ordination and communication. The Department reviews all decisions of ESA and conducts litigation before the EFTA Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). Day-to-day work covers all aspects of EEA law including internal market, State aid and competition law as well as the implementation and application of EEA law in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

LEA is responsible for managing ESA’s formal decision-making process, including ensuring the adoption of decisions by College in compliance with ESA’s procedural rules. LEA also hosts the Communications Team, the Registry and Library. ESA’s Data Protection Officer  is a member of the LEA team.

The role of Legal Adviser is a unique opportunity to handle a wide range of challenging and high-profile cases. It should appeal in particular to eloquent, dynamic and self-motivated lawyers who enjoy analysing legal problems while at the same time being interested in policy formulation and implementation at both national and European level.

The successful candidates will be responsible for the legal review of ESA’s draft decisions and will be called to act as agents before the EFTA Court, CJEU and other courts. Legal Advisers work in close cooperation with case-handlers in the other departments of ESA and with Members of the College.

A Legal Adviser may be assigned responsibility for maintaining an overview of cases and relevant legal developments in each of the participating States (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) as a country coordinator. They use their knowledge of the legal order, national administration and language of the State to guide ESA’s stance, as well as enabling ESA to proactively engage with national counterparts to ensure effective application of EEA law.

Essential Skills

• University degree in law, or recognised equivalent qualification in law
• At least 5 years’ relevant professional experience in the private or the public sector
• Direct experience in litigation
• Broad specialist expertise in substantive, institutional and procedural EEA and EU law
• Capacity and willingness to take a stance and formulate concrete recommendations on complex legal issues, coupled with sound judgment and diplomacy
• Excellent organisational, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills
• Initiative and the ability to work both independently and in a team in an international environment
• Excellent command of written and spoken English (ESA’s working language), as well as proven legal drafting ability

Ideal Skills

• Postgraduate degree in EEA or EU law
• Knowledge of and familiarity with the functioning of the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and of the EEA EFTA States
• Relevant professional experience involving national authorities, administrations, the EU institutions and agencies, or international organisations and courts
• Familiarity with the legal system, economy and national administrations of Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
• Good understanding of Norwegian, Icelandic or German (the EEA EFTA languages)
• Good understanding of French (working language of the Court of Justice of the European Union)

Other information

ESA offers a dynamic and diverse work environment, providing the chance to collaborate with a team of highly skilled professionals. You will be part of an organisation that values professionalism, cooperation, trust, responsibility and respect.

We offer:  

• International experience and professional development  
• An inclusive and supportive environment with high regard for cultural differences
• Competitive salary and benefits package, and favourable tax conditions 
• Generous leave scheme
• Medical, life and disability and travel insurances 
• Savings fund to assist with retirement planning 
• Flexible working arrangements 
• Language training expenses 

This position will be filled in accordance with ESA’s policy on Recruitment available at: https://jobs.eftasurv.int.  The position is placed at grade A4 of ESA’s salary scale, the precise step being determined depending on the relevant experience of the successful candidate, with a likely starting salary of between €112 780 and €118 650 per annum. Depending on personal situation and family status, additional allowances and benefits may apply. Tax conditions are favourable.

Type and duration of appointment: fixed-term contract of three years, renewable for a further three years if desirable and in the interest of ESA.  Candidates must be nationals of the States party to the EEA Agreement (EU + EEA EFTA) at the point of application and the time of any offer being made. 

ESA actively seeks to promote a healthy work/life balance and a working environment allowing its staff members to develop their professional skills and interests.      

Application process:

-          All applications must be made online at: https://jobs.eftasurv.int

-          Deadline for applications: Sunday 30 March 2025 (midnight CET)

-          Interviews: April/May 2025

-          Start date: As soon as possible

Applications submitted in response to this vacancy notice may also be taken into account for the purpose of filling other vacancies arising for similar positions within ESA. 

Questions regarding the post may be addressed to:

Melpo Joséphidès, Director on +32 (0)2 286 18 85 / mjos[at]eftasurv[dot]int
Sigrun Gisladottir, Deputy Director on +32 (0)2 286 18 23 / sgi[at]eftasurv[dot]int

Questions regarding the recruitment process may be addressed to:

Catherine Vandeput, HR Officer on +32 (0)2 286 1870 / cva[at]eftasurv[dot]int.