Temporary Legal Adviser - Legal & Executive Affairs Department

Role Description

ESA is recruiting a Temporary Legal Adviser with expertise in the Icelandic legal system to join its Legal and Executive Affairs Department (LEA) in 2026 for a period of 6-9 months. We are looking for an EEA/EU law generalist 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 candidate will : 

• Be responsible for the legal review of ESA’s draft decisions
• Advise on a range of complex legal issues
• Act as agent for the Authority before the EFTA Court, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), and other courts
• Work in close cooperation with case handlers across departments and with Members of the College
• Maintain an overview of cases and relevant legal developments in the participating EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), acting as country coordinator where assigned.
• Apply in depth knowledge of national legal systems, administrative structures and language of the State to guide ESA’s stance
• Support proactive engagement with national authorities, with a view to ensuring the effective application of EEA law

Essential Skills

• University degree in law, or recognised equivalent qualification in law
• Excellent command of written and spoken English
• Excellent command of written and spoken Icelandic
• Thorough knowledge of the legal framework of the EEA
• Thorough knowledge of the legal system and national administration of Iceland
• Experience in litigation and court proceedings
• Excellent organisational, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills
• Initiative and the ability to work both independently and in a team

Ideal Skills

• Postgraduate degree, ideally 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
• Direct experience as litigator, nationally, before the EFTA Court and/or the CJEU

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 positions are placed at either grade A2 or A3 of ESA’s salary scale, with the precise grade and salary step being determined depending on the relevant experience of the successful candidate. Tax conditions are favourable.

Type and duration of appointment: temporary contract for a period of 6-9 months. 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: 23 August 2026 (midnight CET)

-          Interviews: August/September

-          Start date: 1 October 2026

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:

Sigrún Ingibjörg Gísladóttir, 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.