Role Description

ESA is recruiting a Legal Officer to join its Competition and State Aid Directorate (CSA).

CSA, a multi-disciplinary team comprising both economists and lawyers, enforces the competition and state aid rules of the EEA Agreement. These rules largely mirror the competition rules in the EU, both with regard to antitrust and state aid control. In the field of competition, the bigger share of CSA’s work is focused on cases involving a complex economic/technical assessment, such as abuse of dominance cases. In state aid, CSA’s portfolio is broad and diverse.

The successful candidate will be assigned responsibility for assessing and handling competition cases. Tasks include examination of complaints/submissions, examination of evidence and other documentation, drafting of reports/analyses, legal opinions and decisions on the application of the EEA competition rules and procedures. In addition, if qualified and interested, the successful candidate might also be asked to work, in part, on state aid enforcement.

The majority of cases currently handled by CSA’s competition team involve Norway and Norwegian undertakings and often involve the need to handle considerable amounts of documentation in the Norwegian language. As such, we are looking for lawyers with experience within the field of competition law and knowledge of the language, legal system, economy and national administration of Norway.

The following are essential:

• University degree in law, or recognised equivalent qualification in law

• Solid knowledge of the legal framework of the EEA/EU

• Expert knowledge in EEA/EU competition law

• Relevant professional experience

• Solid knowledge of the legal system, economy and national administration of Norway

• Excellent command of written and spoken Norwegian (native speaker or equivalent)

• Excellent command of written and spoken English (ESA’s working language)

• Excellent organisational, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills

• Initiative and the ability to work both independently and in a multi-disciplinary team in an international environment

The following are desirable:

• Knowledge and experience of state aid enforcement in the EEA

• Postgraduate degree in EU law, competition law or economics

Conditions:

This position will be filled in accordance with ESA’s Policy on Recruitment available at: https://jobs.eftasurv.int.

The position is placed at grade A4 of ESA’s salary scale, the precise step being determined depending on the relevant experience of the successful candidate, with a likely starting salary of between €100 000 and €105 000 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, renewable for a further three years if desirable and in the interest of ESA. 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: Sunday 27 February 2022 at midnight CET

• Interviews: 4–8 April 2022

• Start date: 1 September 2022

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 Gjermund Mathisen, Director CSA on +32 2 286 1860 / gma@eftasurv.int.

Questions regarding the recruitment process may be addressed to Emma Thomas, HR Officer on +32 2 286 1870 / eth@eftasurv.int.