Legal Officer - Internal Market Affairs - Financial Services

Role Description 

ESA is recruiting a Legal Officer to join its Internal Market Affairs Directorate (IMA), in the ENFIP Unit.

The ENFIP Unit in IMA was established in 2021 to promote synergies across the financial services, public procurement environment/climate and energy sectors, where EU/EEA legislation has grown at an unprecedented pace over the last few years, bringing new enforcement and regulatory challenges for ESA.

ESA is seeking an experienced candidate with a minimum of 5 years’ of work experience and solid knowledge of regulatory and/or supervisory work in the financial services field in the public and/or private sector.

The successful candidate 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).

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

Moreover, in financial services, ESA has certain decision-making powers towards national supervisory authorities and market operators established in the EEA-EFTA States. These powers to adopt binding decisions correspond to the powers held by the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) - EBA, EIOPA, and ESMA - within the EU.

The successful candidate will be expected to actively follow the work of the ESAs and engage in close, regular co-operation with these Authorities.

Finally, the Legal Officer will be expected to proactively keep abreast of developments in the field and closely cooperate with internal and external counterparts. In particular:

• Work closely with other members of the ENFIP unit and the Legal and Executive Affairs Directorate. 

• Maintain/strengthen relationships with the European Commission, the ESAs, the EFTA Secretariat, EEA EFTA States’ national competent authorities and external stakeholders such as business associations.

The following are essential:

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

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience and solid knowledge of regulatory and/or supervisory work in the field of financial services 

• Specialised knowledge of EEA/EU law

• Willingness and ability to take on work across different areas within the field (banking, insurance, securities)

• Excellent command of written and spoken English (ESA’s working language) 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 are desirable:

• Postgraduate degree in EEA/EU law

• Relevant professional experience involving financial supervisory authorities or the EU/EEA institutions

• Knowledge of and familiarity with the functioning of the EEA Agreement, and of the EEA EFTA States’ legal systems

• Good understanding of Norwegian, Icelandic or German (the EEA EFTA languages)

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 €112 780 and €118 650 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 30 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 Marco Uccelli, Deputy Director IMA ENFIP on +32 (0)2 286 1895 / muc@ eftasurv.int.

Questions regarding the recruitment process may be addressed to Catherine Vandeput, HR Officer on +32 (0)2 286 1870 / cva@ eftasurv.int.