Internal Market Affairs Officer (Transport)
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, like the European Commission, 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.
ESA is based in Brussels and currently employs 70 staff members of 16 nationalities. ESA 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
ESA 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 transport (safety, security, freedom to provide services and establishment) in the participating EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway).
The successful candidate will join the Internal Market Affairs Directorate, which is responsible for monitoring the EEA EFTA States to ensure that they comply with their obligations in the field of internal market law. This position sits within the Transport Unit of the Directorate.
For this position, we are looking for an experienced transport lawyer with the ability to handle legal and other documentation in Icelandic and/or Norwegian. The successful candidate will primarily be responsible for the aviation portfolio. Depending on their experience, as well as workload and other developments within the Unit, other responsibilities within the transport field may be allocated.
Tasks will include examination of complaints, legal conformity assessments, drafting of decisions, opinions and reports, and may include participation in aviation and maritime security inspections. Depending on the overall needs of the Authority, the responsibilities may be changed to cover other general or specific issues relating to EEA law.
Essential Skills
- University degree in law
- Very good knowledge of EU/EEA and transport law, particularly aviation law
- Relevant working experience from the private or the public sector
- Ability to handle legal and other documentation in Icelandic and/or Norwegian
- Excellent command of written and spoken English (ESA’s working language), including 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
- Ability to travel, primarily to the EEA EFTA States, depending on the tasks assigned
- Ability to obtain security clearance
Ideal Skills
- A postgraduate degree in EU/EEA law and/or in the field of transport law
- Inspections or auditing experience
- Knowledge of other EEA EFTA languages (Icelandic, Norwegian or German)
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 € 90 000 and € 97 000 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
Applicants must be nationals of the States party to the EEA Agreement (EU 28 + EEA EFTA 3).
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 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.
Application process:
- All applications must be made online at: https://jobs.eftasurv.int
- Deadline for applications: 27 August 2017
- Interviews: Planned for week commencing 11 September 2017
- Start date:1 January 2018 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: Mila Varela Choucino, Senior Officer (and Deputy Director from August 2017) at: mvc@eftasurv.int or on: +32 2286 1896.
Questions regarding the recruitment process may be addressed to Kathryn Bryan, HR Officer, at: kbr@eftasurv.int or on: +32 (0)2 286 1832 (during July) or Catherine Vandeput, HR Assistant at: cva@eftasurv.int or on: 32 (0)2 286 1893 (during August).