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.

Based in Brussels, ESA currently employs staff members of 18 different 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 a Legal Officer to join its Competition and State Aid Directorate (CSA).

 

Additional qualified candidates will also be considered for vacancies foreseen in the Directorate over the next 12-18 months.  

 

CSA is a multi-disciplinary team, comprising both economists and lawyers, that 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 state aid, CSA’s portfolio is broad and diverse. 

 

The successful candidate will be assigned responsibility for assessing and handling state aid cases. Tasks include examination of complaints and notifications, drafting of decisions, and legal opinions on the application of the EEA state aid rules and procedures. 

 

The majority of cases currently handled by CSA’s state aid team involve Norway 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 state aid 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 state aid law
• Relevant professional experience
• Solid knowledge of the legal system, economy and national administration of Norway
• Excellent command of written and spoken Norwegian
• 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 multi-disciplinary team in an international environment

Any of the following would be advantageous:

 

• Postgraduate degree in EU law
• Professional experience with state aid matters from a national authority or administration, an EU institution or an international organisation

 

Conditions:

This position will be filled in accordance with ESA’s Recruitment Policy available at: https://jobs.eftasurv.int. Former 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 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 €95 000 and €105 000 per annum. Depending on personal situation and family status, additional allowances and benefits 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: 1 June 2020 (midnight CET)
• Interviews: June 2020
• Start date: By 1 March 2021

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 Christian Jordal, Deputy Director State Aid on +32 2 286 1889 / cjo@eftasurv.int.

 

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