Legal Adviser - Legal & Executive Affairs Department

Role Description 

ESA is recruiting a Legal Adviser to join its Legal and Executive Affairs Department (LEA) in 2026. We are looking for an EEA/EU law generalist with the ability to specialise in subject areas such as internal market, competition or State aid law. 

Within ESA, LEA is responsible for providing legal advice and support with regard to policy formulation, co-ordination and communication. The Department reviews all decisions of ESA and conducts litigation before the EFTA Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). Day-to-day work covers all aspects of EEA law including internal market, State aid and competition law as well as the implementation and application of EEA law in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. 

LEA is responsible for managing ESA’s formal decision-making process, including ensuring the adoption of decisions by College in compliance with ESA’s procedural rules. LEA also hosts the Communications Team, the Registry and Library. ESA’s Data Protection Officer  is a member of the LEA team. 

The role of Legal Adviser is a unique opportunity to handle a wide range of challenging and high-profile cases. It should appeal in particular to eloquent, dynamic and self-motivated lawyers who enjoy analysing legal problems while at the same time being interested in policy formulation and implementation at both national and European level. 

The successful candidate will : 

• Be responsible for the legal review of ESA’s draft decisions

• Act as agent for the Authority before the EFTA Court, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), and other courts

• Work in close cooperation with case handlers across departments and with Members of the College

• Maintain an overview of cases and relevant legal developments in the participating EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), acting as country coordinator where assigned.

• Apply in depth knowledge of national legal systems, administrative structures and language of the State to guide ESA’s stance

• Support proactive engagement with national authorities, with a view to ensuring the effective application of EEA law. 

The following are essential: 

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

• At least 5 years’ relevant professional experience in the private or the public sector

• Direct experience in litigation

• Broad specialist expertise in substantive, institutional and procedural EEA and EU law

• Capacity and willingness to take a stance and formulate concrete recommendations on complex legal issues, coupled with sound judgment and diplomacy

• Excellent organisational, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills

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

• Excellent command of written and spoken English (ESA’s working language), as well as proven legal drafting ability 

The following are desirable: 

• Postgraduate degree in EEA or EU law

• Knowledge of and familiarity with the functioning of the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and of the EEA EFTA States

• Relevant professional experience involving national authorities, administrations, the EU institutions and agencies, or international organisations and courts

• Familiarity with the legal system, economy and national administrations of Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

• Experience as litigator before the EFTA Court or the CJEU

• Good understanding of Norwegian and Norwegian legal system

• Good understanding of German and/or Liechtenstein legal systems

• Background in the legal services of EU institutions

• Good understanding of French (working language of the Court of Justice of the European Union) 

Conditions: 

ESA offers a dynamic and diverse work environment, providing the chance to collaborate with a team of highly skilled professionals. You will be part of an organisation that values professionalism, cooperation, trust, responsibility and respect. 

We offer:   

• International experience and professional development  

• An inclusive and supportive environment with high regard for cultural differences

• Competitive salary and benefits package, and favourable tax conditions 

• Generous leave scheme

• Medical, life and disability and travel insurances 

• Savings fund to assist with retirement planning 

• Flexible working arrangements 

• Language training expenses  

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 €117 072 and €123167 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 22 March 2025 (midnight CET)

• Interviews: April/May 2025

• 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: 

Melpo-Menie Joséphidès, Director on +32 (0)2 286 18 85 / mjos@eftasurv.int 

Sigrún Ingibjörg Gísladóttir, Deputy Director on +32 (0)2 286 18 23 / sgi@eftasurv.int 

Questions regarding the recruitment process may be addressed to: 

Catherine Vandeput, HR Officer on +32 (0)2 286 1870 / cva@eftasurv.int.

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 22 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). 

ESA is led by a College of three members, appointed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. It is divided into the following departments: Administration, Internal Market Affairs Directorate, Competition and State Aid Directorate and Le gal and Executive Affairs Department.