The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) is an international organisation which 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`s work helps remove barriers to trade and opens up new opportunities to over 450 million Europeans, creating jobs and growth and adding to the international competitiveness of the States. ESA currently employs staff members of 21 different nationalities from across the EEA. Based in Brussels, ESA is collocated with in the EFTA House with its sister organisations the EFTA Secretariat and the EEA and Norway Grants (FMO).
Role Description
ESA is recruiting a Legal Officer to join its Internal Market Affairs Directorate (IMA), in the Transport and Connectivity Unit (TCU unit). IMA is responsible for monitoring the EEA EFTA States to ensure that they
comply with their obligations in the field of internal market law. The TCU unit is more specifically responsible for monitoring the compliance of the EEA EFTA States to the legislation in the areas of Maritime, Aviation, Rail, Road and Inland transport as well as in the areas of Telecommunications, Postal Services,
Information Society Services, Audiovisual Services and Cyber Security.
ESA is seeking a candidate with a minimum of 3 years of work experience from the public or private sector and solid knowledge of EEA Maritime Transport legislation.
The successful candidate will be assigned responsibility for general surveillance work and case handling regarding the implementation and application of EEA law relating to Maritime Transport (safety, security, freedom to provide services and establishment) in the EEA EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway).
Tasks include examination of complaints, legal conformity assessments, drafting of decisions, opinions and reports, organisation of and participation in maritime security inspections.
IMA’s work in the maritime field requires close cooperation with the European Maritime Safety Agency and the successful candidate will be expected to engage in regular contact and cooperation with the Agency.
Finally, the Legal Officer will be expected to proactively keep abreast of developments in the field and closely cooperate with external counterparts, such as the European Commission, the EFTA Secretariat and the EEA EFTA States’ national competent authorities.
Depending on workload and other developments, the responsibilities may be changed to cover other general or specific issues relating to EEA law.
Experience with security inspections in an international context would be advantageous but is not essential.
The role of Legal Officer is a unique opportunity to handle a wide range of challenging cases. It should appeal in particular to eloquent, dynamic and selfmotivated 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 and Qualifications:
The following are desirable:
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 Valgerður Guðmundsdóttir
Deputy Director IMA on +32 (0)2 286 1818 / vag@eftasur.int.
Questions regarding the recruitment process may be addressed to Catherine
Vandeput, HR Officer, on +32 2 286 1870 / cva@eftasurv.int.