Legal & Executive Affairs Officer
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 an international organisation 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 based in Brussels and operates independently of the EFTA States. It currently employs 70 staff members of 16 nationalities. The Authority is led by a College consisting of three members, each appointed for a period of four years by the three participating EFTA States.
Role Description
The Authority is recruiting a Legal & Executive Affairs (LEA) Officer with particular coordinating duties towards Norway to join the LEA Department.
Within the Authority, LEA is responsible for providing legal advice and support with regard to policy formulation, co-ordination and communication. The Department reviews all decisions of the Authority and conducts litigation before the EFTA Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union. 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.
For this post, we are looking for a lawyer who will, in particular, be responsible for maintaining an overview over the Authority’s Norwegian cases and relevant legal developments in Norway. They will use their in-depth knowledge of the legal order and national administration of Norway to guide the Authority’s stance.
The successful candidate will be fully involved in the legal review and litigation roles common to all the lawyers in the department, working in close cooperation with case-handlers in other departments of the Authority and with Members of the College. The position presents 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.
Essential Skills
- University degree in law, or recognised equivalent qualification in law
- In-depth knowledge of the legal order and national administration of Norway
- Specialist knowledge of EEA law and the institutional framework of the EEA
- Capacity and willingness to take a stance and formulate concrete recommendations on complex legal issues coupled with sound judgment and diplomacy
- Relevant professional experience commensurate with the role
- Proven legal drafting ability in Norwegian and English
- Very good command of written and spoken English (the working language of the Authority)
- Strong 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 strong network of contacts within the Norwegian administration, government institutions and civil society
- Admission to the Bar in Norway or in another EEA State
- Experience of litigation, in particular the European courts
- Experience of advising senior decision makers
- Experience of policy formulation and communication work, including speechwriting
- Postgraduate degree in law and/or experience teaching law
- Working knowledge of Icelandic or German and familiarity with the legal orders of 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 € 90 245.95 and € 97 292.79 per annum. Depending on personal situation and family status, additional allowances and benefits may apply. Tax conditions are favourable. Overview of conditions at: http://www.eftasurv.int
Type and duration of appointment: fixed-term contract of three years, renewable for a further three years if desirable and in the interest of the Authority. This may in particular be a suitable position for national 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) and either hold or be eligible to obtain security clearance to “Secret” level. Readiness to travel 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: 11 June 2017
- Interviews: week commencing 26 June or week commencing 3 July 2017
- Start date: Autumn2017
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.