Legal & Executive Affairs Officer

Role Description

The Authority is looking to recruit an experienced EU/EEA lawyer able to combine a solid background in general EU/EEA internal market law with specialist knowledge of competition law, specifically in relation to investigations and decisions in the fields covered by Articles 101 and 102 TFEU / Articles 53 and 54 EEA as well as the relevant procedural frameworks. Experience of, and a real enthusiasm for, litigation in the European Courts are highly desirable.                                 

This post will be located in the Legal & Executive Affairs (LEA) department, reporting to the Director of Legal and Executive Affairs.  Within the Authority, LEA is responsible for providing legal advice and support with regard to policy formulation, co-ordination and communication.  The Department in particular reviews all decisions of the Authority and conducts litigation before the EFTA Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union.

For this post, day-to-day work will cover all aspects of EEA internal market law, where the successful candidate will be involved in the legal review, litigation and policy support roles common to all the lawyers in the department, working in close cooperation with the Communications team, case-handlers in other departments of the Authority and with Members of the College.  At the same time, the postholder will be expected to take the leading role within the department when it comes to providing procedural and substantive advice in relation to competition investigations, as well as defending in court any decisions adopted by the Authority in enforcing competition law.  Competition workload is likely to arise relatively infrequently but be substantial when it does.  By virtue of the division of competence between the Authority and the European Commission, the bulk of this work concerns enforcement of the provisions of the EEA Agreement in relation to abuse of dominance (Art 102 TFEU, Art 54 EEA).  Cartel cases are not common and the Authority handles hardly any merger cases.

The position presents a unique opportunity to combine a busy litigation practice in front of the European Courts spanning all areas of internal market law with a challenging and crucial role in the Authority’s competition enforcement activities.  It should appeal in particular to eloquent, dynamic and self-motivated lawyers who enjoy analysing legal problems and embrace the responsibility of conducting litigation while at the same time being interested in policy formulation and implementation at both national and European level.

Essential Skills

• University degree in law and relevant professional experience commensurate with the seniority of the role
• Specialist knowledge of EU/EEA competition law, in particular Articles 101, 102 TFEU / Articles 53, 54 EEA
• Practical experience of advising in relation to the application of the relevant procedural frameworks in competition investigations
• Solid knowledge of general EU/EEA internal market law
• Capacity and willingness to take a stance and formulate concrete recommendations on complex legal issues coupled with sound judgment and diplomacy
• Excellent command of written and spoken English, as well as proven legal drafting ability
• Excellent organisational, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills
• Initiative and the ability to work both independently and in a team in an international environment

Ideal Skills

• Admission to the Bar in an EEA State
• Experience of litigation, in particular in front of the EU and/or EFTA Courts, including experience of pleading cases at hearings
• Postgraduate degree in law and/or experience teaching law
• Experience of policy formulation and communication work, including speechwriting
• Experience of working within the institutional framework of the EU/EEA
• Experience of advising senior decision makers
• Working knowledge of Norwegian, Icelandic, German and/or French
• Familiarity with the legal orders of Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

Other information

The position is placed at grade A4 of the Authority’s salary scale, the precise step being determined depending on the relevant experience of the successful candidate, with a likely starting salary of between € 87 532.44 and € 96 645.72 per annum.  Depending on personal situation and family status, additional allowances and benefits may apply.  Tax conditions are favourable. Overview of conditions at: https://jobs.eftasurv.int

Type and duration of appointment: fixed-term contract of three years, renewable for a further three years if desirable and in the interests of the Authority.  This may in particular be a suitable position for national or EU civil servants seeking to broaden their horizons in the context of a detachment or temporary leave of absence.

The Authority actively seeks to promote a healthy work/life balance and a working environment allowing its staff members to develop their individual skills and interests, both in a professional and personal context.  

Applicants must be nationals of the States party to the EEA Agreement (EU 28 + EEA EFTA 3).  The Authority particularly encourages applications from nationals of Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.   Readiness to travel to on a regular basis (mainly to Luxembourg and EEA EFTA States) is required.

 Application process:

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

-          Deadline for applications: 15 January 2017

-          Interviews: January 2017

-          Start date:May 2017 or earlier

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

Questions regarding the post may be addressed to Cath Howdle, LEA Deputy Director, on +32 (0)2 286 1898 / cho@eftasurv.int.

Questions regarding the recruitment process may be addressed to Kathryn Bryan, HR Officer, on +32 (0)2 286 1832 / kbr@eftasurv.int.