Legal Officer - Internal Market Affairs - Financial Services

The EFTA Surveillance Authority

Søknadsfrist

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, which 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. It currently employs 79 staff members of 19 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.

 

ESA is recruiting a legal officer to join its Internal Market Affairs Directorate, who will be assigned responsibility for general surveillance work and case handling regarding the implementation and application of EEA law relating to Financial Services in the participating EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). 

 

In the area of financial services, ESA has certain decision-making powers towards national supervisory authorities and market operators (including credit institutions, insurance companies and investment firms) established in the EEA-EFTA States. The powers to adopt binding decisions correspond to powers with the European Supervisory Authorities, EBA, EIOPA and ESMA in the EU. 

 

We are looking for an experienced candidate with a minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience with regulatory and/or supervisory work in the financial services field for the public and/or private sector. The successful candidate will be expected to follow and participate in the work of the European Supervisory Authorities at board level, and engage in close, regular co-operation with those Authorities.

 

Other tasks include examination of complaints, legal conformity assessments, and drafting of decisions, opinions and reports. Depending on workload and other developments, the responsibilities may also cover other general or specific issues relating to EEA law.
 

The following are essential:

  • University degree in law or equivalent qualification in law
  • Minimum 5 years’ relevant working experience in the financial services field for the public and/or private sector
  • Specialised knowledge of EEA/EU law in the field of financial services and expertise in financial services regulatory work and/or financial supervision
  • Excellent command of written and spoken English (the working language of the Authority), 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

The following would be advantageous:

  • A postgraduate degree in EEA/EU law
  • Relevant professional experience involving national authorities, administrations or the EU institutions
  • Good understanding of Norwegian, Icelandic or German (the EEA EFTA languages)
  • Knowledge of and familiarity with the functioning of the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and of the EEA EFTA States

Conditions:

This position will be filled in accordance with ESA’s policy on Recruitment Policy available at: https://jobs.eftasurv.intFormer ESA staff members are eligible to apply provided the closing date is at least three years after their departure date. In exceptional circumstances, this requirement may be waived. The three-year requirement does not apply in the case of applications from current or former ESA temporary staff, trainees and seconded national experts. Current and former EFTA Secretariat and EFTA Court staff may apply for positions in ESA at any time.

 

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 €93 700 and €106 000 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: 24 February 2019
  • Interviews: March 2019
  • Start date: As soon as possible

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 Gunnar Thor Pétursson (IMA Director) on +32 (0)2 286 1873 / gpe@eftasurv.int or Gabrielle Somers (IMA Deputy Director) on +32 (0)2 286 1878 / gas@eftasurv.int

 

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

 

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