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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 of abuse of dominance. 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.

On an ongoing basis, a certain share of the cases handled by CSA’s Competition team involve Icelandic markets and Icelandic undertakings. The cases may further involve considerable amounts of documentation in the Icelandic 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 Iceland.

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 Iceland;
• Excellent command of written and spoken Icelandic (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;
• Professional experience with competition matters from a national authority or administration, an EU institution or an international organisation, or equivalent experience from the private sector.

Conditions:

This position will be filled in accordance with ESA’s policy on 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 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 €97 000 and €102 000 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: Monday 24 May 2021 (midnight CET);
• Interviews: June 2021;
• Start date: 1 January 2022 at the latest.

Questions regarding the post may be addressed to Gjermund Mathisen, Director 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.

this job offer is not open for applications