Internal Market Affairs Officer - Food Safety Unit

The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) monitors compliance with the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA Agreement) in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, enabling those States to participate in the Internal Market of the European Union.

ESA is independent of the States and safeguards the rights of individuals and undertakings under the EEA Agreement, ensuring free movement, fair competition and control of state aid.  ESA's work helps remove barriers to trade and open up new opportunities to over 500 million Europeans, creating jobs and growth and adding to the international competitiveness of the States.  The Authority is led by a College, which consists of three members appointed by the EEA EFTA States. 

The Authority is based in Brussels. It currently employs 70 staff members of 16 nationalities. 

Deadline for applications
29-01-2017
Job Reference
14/2016

Role Description

The Internal Market Affairs Directorate of the Authority is responsible for monitoring the EEA EFTA States to ensure that they comply with their obligations in the field of internal market law. 

The Authority is recruiting an Internal Market Affairs Officer who will be assigned responsibility for general surveillance work and case handling regarding the implementation and application of EEA law relating to Food Safety and the Veterinary area. 

The post holder will provide legal support to ESA’s veterinary inspectors in their audits on food and feed safety, animal health and welfare of the food chain. Tasks include examination of complaints, legal conformity assessments, drafting of decisions, opinions and reports.

Essential Skills

  • University degree in law
  • Minimum 3 years’ relevant working experience in the public or private sector
  • Good knowledge of EU/EEA law and knowledge of relevant veterinary and food law
  • Excellent command of written and spoken English (the working language of the Authority)
  • 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

  • A postgraduate degree in EU/EEA law
  • Relevant professional experience involving the institutions of the EU and EEA

Other information

The position is placed at Grade A4 of the Authority’s salary scale, with a starting salary of €87 532.44 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. One additional fixed-term contract of three years may be offered if desirable and in the interests of the Authority.

Overview of conditions at: https://jobs.eftasurv.int

Applicants must be nationals of the States that are party to the EEA Agreement (EU 28 + EEA EFTA 3). 

Application process:

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

Deadline for applications: 29 January 2017

Interviews: February 2017

Start date: June 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 Lennart Johanson, Deputy Director: +32 (0)2 286 1834 / ljo@eftasurv.int.

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