We are
The European External Action Service (EEAS) supports the work of the High Representative in defining and implementing an effective and coherent EU foreign policy. The EEAS supports his tasks of conducting the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and chairing the Foreign Affairs Council.
It also supports the High Representative in his capacity as Vice-President of the Commission with regard to his responsibilities within the Commission in the external relations field including the coordination of other aspects of the EU’s external action. The EEAS works in close cooperation with Member States, the General Secretariat of the Council, the services of the European Commission and the Secretariat-General of the European Parliament.
The Division SG.AFFGEN.2 “Administrative Law and EU Civil Service Law” is one of the two legal Divisions which together constitute the EEAS Legal Department, under the responsibility of the Chief Legal Officer.
The Legal Department provides independent legal advice to the High Representative and the EEAS services, upon request or on its own initiative, on all aspects relating to their mandates and tasks under the Treaties and the Council Decision establishing the EEAS. The Legal Department also represents the HR and the EEAS in judicial proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Union, and other jurisdictions as required.
The Division SG.AFFGEN.2 covers all legal questions relating to the EEAS administrative activities and the implementation of the EU Staff Regulations and Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS) in headquarters and EU delegations.
In particular, this Division:
- provides advice on administrative law (contractual, financial and procurement issues);
- provides legal advice on EEAS staff matters (including rights and obligations, career, administrative inquiries and disciplinary matters);
- reviews draft internal administrative rules (in particular those implementing the EU Staff Regulations/CEOS);
- reviews draft replies to administrative requests and complaints, as well as other individual decisions where necessary;
- reviews draft confirmatory replies to access to documents requests and draft replies to Ombudsman requests;
- represents the HR and the EEAS in judicial proceedings in administrative and staff matters.
We propose
Under the direction of the Head of Division, the selected candidate will be required to provide legal analysis, advice and assistance in the areas falling under the responsibility of the division. If required, he or she may be given the opportunity to act as an agent representing the EEAS before the EU Courts.
Subject to the needs and interest of the service, the selected candidate will be required to focus in particular on administrative law (e.g. contractual, financial and procurement issues) or/and staff matters.
We look for
We are seeking a highly motivated colleague, with a strong service attitude and ability to work in a team, whose main tasks will include providing:
- legal advice on ad hoc cases or horizontal issues related to the administrative tasks of the EEAS, in particular as regards either the EU Financial Regulation or the implementation of the EU Staff Regulations and the CEOS ;
- legal review of internal administrative rules;
- legal support and advice for handling legal conflicts (pre-contentious stage and litigation stage);
- briefing notes and legal analyses.
Legal basis
The vacancy is to be filled in accordance with the conditions provided for under CEOS, in particular Article 82 thereof.
The successful candidate will be offered a contract agent position (Function group IV) on the basis of a contract of an initial duration of 1 year that can be extended for a maximum duration of 6 years (subject to passing a CAST exam).
Eligibility criteria
Candidates for this contract agent FG IV post shall:
- (i) have passed a valid EPSO CAST in FG IV ;
or
- (ii) be registered in the EPSO Permanent CAST in FG IV (see https://epso.europa.eu/apply/job-offers_en?keyword=&contract=37&grade=Al…
- have completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma and have a university degree in law;
- have the capacity to work in languages of CFSP and external relations necessary for the performance of their duties (English and French). Knowledge of other EU languages would be an asset;
- be a national of one of the Member States of the European Union and enjoy full rights as a citizen;
- have at least 1 year proven, pertinent experience as a lawyer or legal adviser; this experience must have been gained after obtaining the university degree in law.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
Candidates should:
- have professional experience in providing legal advice;
- have strong drafting and analytical skills combined with sound legal judgement;
- have excellent communication skills and the ability to establish and maintain a network of contacts both within and outside the EEAS;
- have sound knowledge of EU legal and institutional matters;
- have sound understanding either of the EU Financial Regulation (in particular on building contracts and other public contracts, procurement, implementation of administrative appropriations) or of the EU Staff Regulations and Conditions of Employment of other Servants (CEOS);
- be able to draft legal texts in English or French and have the ability to communicate in the other of these two languages with a view, in the medium term, to drafting legal texts in both of these two languages;
- be a flexible team player.
Furthermore:
- professional experience in reviewing tender, purchase and lease contracts, in particular with regards to the EU Financial Regulation;
- professional experience in labour law, in particular with regards to the EU Staff Regulations and Conditions of Employment of other Servants;
- knowledge and experience in EU law on access to documents and data protection;
- professional experience of judicial proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Union or before national courts;
- working experience with or within other EU institutions,
would be considered as strong assets.
Specific conditions of employment
The signature of the contract will be subject to prior favourable opinion of the Medical Service.
The successful candidate might be required to undergo security vetting if she or he does not hold already a Personal Security Clearance to an appropriate level, in accordance with relevant security provisions.
Equal Opportunities
The EEAS is committed to an equal opportunities policy for all its employees and applicants for employment. As an employer, the EEAS is committed to promoting gender equality and to preventing discrimination on any grounds. It actively welcomes applications from all qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds and from the broadest possible geographical basis amongst the EU Member States. We aim at a service which is truly representative of society, where each staff member feels respected, is able to give their best and can develop their full potential.
Candidates with disabilities are invited to contact CONTRACTAGENTS-HQ@eeas.europa.eu in order to accommodate any special needs and provide assistance to ensure the possibility to pass the selection procedure in equality of opportunities with other candidates. If a candidate with a disability is selected for a vacant post, the EEAS is committed to providing reasonable accommodation in accordance with Art 1d(4) of the Staff Regulations.
Application and selection procedure1
Applicants shall submit their CV and motivation letter (with reference to their EPSO CAST number) in English or French via email with reference to the Vacancy Notice Number in the Subject field to
Deadline for sending application: 07 March 2022 at 18.00 (CET).
Candidates shall draft their CV following the European CV form which can be found at the following internet address:
http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/documents/curriculum-vitae.
Late applications will not be accepted.
The selection panel will make a pre-selection on the basis of the qualifications and professional experience described in the CV and motivation letter, and will produce a shortlist of eligible candidates who best meet the selection criteria for the post. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be informed about the outcome of the pre-selection phase.
The candidates who have been preselected will be invited for an interview by a selection panel. The panel will recommend a shortlist of candidates for a final decision by the Authority Empowered to Conclude Contracts of Employment. The Authority may decide to interview the candidates on the final shortlist before taking this decision.
Place of employment: EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium
Post available as of: 01/03/2022
CONTACT: Karim KOURI, Head of Division
Tel: +32 (0)2 584 3091 Email: karim.kouri@eeas.europa.eu
1 Your personal data will be processed in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725, as implemented by ADMIN(2019)8 Decision of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The privacy statement is available on the Europa website: (http://eeas.europa.eu/data_protection/rights/index_en.htm) and on the EEAS Intranet: (https://intranet.eeas.europa.eu/page/eeas-work/data-protection/privacy-s…).