Your role

The Legal Services Team is responsible for safeguarding and promoting ECMWF’s legal interests and advising the organisation on all legal implications of its various activities and proposed actions, as well as providing guidance on all legal issues to key-decision makers as required.

It provides advice and guidance to ensure that ECMWF meets its obligations under its Convention, regulations, Council decisions, and international law whilst ensuring the legal framework adequately supports the organisation in achieving its mission.

The Legal Services Team comprises the Head of Legal Services (General Counsel), a Senior Legal Officer and a Legal Officer. It is envisaged that the legal trainee will support all team members, as required, in various ways: research in areas pertaining to the work of an inter-governmental organisation, contract template review as well as negotiations and other related activities.

The Legal Trainee reports to the Head of Legal Services (General Counsel), who is a fully qualified German lawyer (Volljurist).

Team work and collaboration is essential in this role as you will be joining a small, effective legal team based at two different sites (UK and Germany). Ideally, the candidate will bring complementary skills, experience and areas of expertise to the legal function. While the position is based in Bonn, a visit to the UK site can be considered.

Your work with us will include:

• Legal Research in the areas of public international law, including international civil service law; German and English B2B contract law or other areas of law
• Drafting of legal memos and present research results
• Support of contract negotiations with service providers or public entities (such as e.g. the European Commission, German Federal Ministries or other inter-governmental organizations) to resolve matters surrounding IPR, climate science and technology, cloud computing, High Performance Computing, EU funding, non-disclosure agreements etc.
• Perform other tasks, as required

About ECMWF

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is a world leader in Numerical Weather Predictions providing high-quality data for weather forecasts and environmental monitoring. As an intergovernmental organisation, we collaborate internationally to serve our members and the wider community with global weather predictions, data and training activities that are critical to contribute to safe and thriving societies.

The success of our activities depends on the funding and partnerships of the 35 Member and Co-operating States who provide the support and direction of our work. Our talented staff together with the international scientific community, and our powerful supercomputing capabilities, are the core of a 24/7 research and operational centre with a focus on medium and long-range predictions. We also hold one of the largest meteorological data archives in the world.

ECMWF has also developed a strong partnership with the European Union and has been entrusted with the implementation and operation of the Destination Earth Initiative and the Climate Change and Atmosphere Monitoring Services of the Copernicus Programme and the Strengthening Early Earning in Africa (SEWA) Programme. Other areas of work include High Performance Computing and the development of digital tools that enable ECMWF to extend provision of data and products covering weather, climate, air quality, fire and flood prediction and monitoring.

Our vision: The strength of a common goal
Our mission: Deliver global numerical weather predictions focusing on the medium-range and monitoring of the Earth system to and with our Member States

ECMWF is a multi-site organisation, with its headquarters in Reading, UK, a data centre in Bologna, Italy, and a large presence in Bonn, Germany, as a central location for our EU-related activities. ECMWF is internationally recognised as the voice of expertise in numerical weather predictions for forecasts and climate science.

What we're looking for

• Excellent verbal, written communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with individuals from all levels, backgrounds and cultures
• Solution-oriented mindset
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently
• Excellent attention to detail
• Willingness to explore and ability to grasp complex unknown factual circumstances and legal frameworks

Education

• Successful completion of First German State Exam (1. Juristische Staatsprüfung) with a final grade „Satisfactory” (Befriedigend) or above.

Experience, skills and competencies

• Additional qualifications in relevant areas and particularly in European Union law or public international law would be an advantage.
• Previous work experience, internship in or exposure to the work of an internationally operating law firm, a corporation, a non-governmental or inter-governmental organization would be an advantage.
• Experience in working or living in an English-speaking environment would be an advantage.
• Good legal drafting and research skills.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft 365 and SharePoint, with considerable experience of working with Microsoft Word.
• Candidates must be able to work effectively in English.

Other information

Grade remuneration: None. Legal Trainees will be employed and remunerated in line with the provisions for 'Rechtsreferendare' in the context of their law studies.

Start date: Flexible. Generally, March-June and September-November would be preferred entry months.

Length of contract: It is expected that Legal Trainees join ECMWF on a full-time basis for the full duration of the elective module of their traineeship (Wahlstation) i.e. for the duration expected as part of their studies, usually 3 months, though we are open to and can accept assignments of up to 6 months.

Location: Bonn, Germany.

How to apply

Please apply by sending your CV and cover letter by email to jobs@ecmwf.int.

Applications are invited from law graduates completing their legal studies in Germany and who would like to complete their 'Referendariat' with a 'Wahlstation' at ECMWF.

At ECMWF, we consider an inclusive environment as key for our success. We are dedicated to ensuring a workplace that embraces diversity and provides equal opportunities for all, without distinction as to race, gender, age, marital status, social status, disability, sexual orientation, religion, personality, ethnicity and culture. We value the benefits derived from a diverse workforce and are committed to having staff that reflect the diversity of the countries that are part of our community, in an environment that nurtures equality and inclusion.