198a - Senior Legal Officer

Contract type: Temporary agent

Directorate: Corporate Services Directorate (CSD)

Group: N.A.

Grade: AD9

Level of Security Clearance: SECRET UE/EU SECRET

Management of staff: N.A.

Location: Brussels

Indicative starting date: 01/02/2027

Closing date for applications: 26/11/2026

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  • BACKGROUND THE AGENCY'S WAY OF WORKING THE CORPORATE SERVICES DIRECTORATE (CSD) THE UNIT DUTIES ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA SELECTION CRITERIA APPOINTMENT AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR TEMPORARY AGENTS AT EDA INDEPENDENCE AND DECLARATION OF INTEREST EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES APPLICATION PROCEDURE DATA PROTECTION

1. BACKGROUND

The European Defence Agency (EDA) was established on 12 July 2004, and is governed by Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1835 defining the statute, seat and operational rules of the European Defence Agency. The Agency has its headquarters in Brussels.

The main task of EDA is to support the Council and the Member States in their effort to improve the Union's defence capabilities in the field of crisis management and to sustain the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) as it currently stands and as it develops in the future.

The Agency is structured into four directorates. The Corporate Services Directorate (CSD) and three operational directorates: Capability, Armament & Planning (CAP); Procurement, Support, Industry & Interoperability (PSII); Research, Technology & Innovation (RTI).

2. THE AGENCY'S WAY OF WORKING

The Agency is an “outward-facing” organisation, constantly interacting with its shareholders, the Member States, as well as with a wide range of stakeholders. It works in an integrated way, with multi-disciplinary teams representing all of the Agency’s functional areas, to realise its objectives. Its business processes are flexible and oriented towards achieving results. Staff at all levels need to demonstrate the corresponding qualities of commitment, flexibility, innovation, and team-working; to work effectively with shareholders and stakeholder groups, formal and informal; and to operate without the need for detailed direction.

3. THE CORPORATE SERVICES DIRECTORATE (CSD)

The Corporate Services Directorate (CSD) provides critical business support to EDA operations by delivering high-quality corporate services under seven dedicated units, namely: Human Resources, Procurement and Grants Management, Finance, Information Technology, Security, Legal and General Services (encompassing Infrastructure, Records and Data Management).

CSD processes are geared towards efficient and optimal use of resources, leveraging good practice and technological solutions while ensuring sound financial management, transparency and accountability; outward focus and commitment to continuous improvement are the hallmarks of CSD.

4. THE UNIT

The Legal Unit is part of the Corporate Services Directorate and provides legal advice and support to the entire Agency, including senior management, operational directorates and corporate services. It safeguards the legality, coherence, transparency and compliance of the Agency’s activities while enabling timely and effective delivery.

Its remit covers institutional and governance matters; procurement, contracts and collaborative arrangements; legal aspects of innovation, research and technology projects and European Union-funded activities; administrative and staff matters; ethics and conduct; data protection; public access to documents; litigation, complaints and investigations; cooperation with Member States, European Union institutions and third parties; and legal support to ex ante control. The Unit also monitors legal and regulatory developments relevant to the Agency and promotes early identification and mitigation of legal risk.

The Unit is headed by the Head of the Legal Unit and comprises a Senior Legal Officer who acts as Data Protection Officer and deputises for the Head of Unit when required, together with legal officers covering the Unit’s principal areas of responsibility. It is supported by an ex-ante controller and, where appropriate, trainees and external legal expertise.  The Unit is structured to ensure specialised legal coverage, continuity of service and effective support across the Agency.

5. DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Head of the Legal Unit, the Senior Legal Officer may also act as Data Protection Officer, deputise for the Head of Unit when needed, and will be responsible for / contribute to the following activities:

  • provide authoritative, strategic and risk-based legal advice on collaborative procurement, including the design and implementation of complex and high-value procurement files;
  • provide legal and procedural support to the ex-ante controller within the Legal Unit, including on the assessment of procurement and financial files, the identification of legal and compliance risks, and the consistent application of the relevant regulatory and internal control framework;
  • support all activity of the Legal Unit related to the preparation and negotiation of third-party agreements, including administrative arrangements, MoU, SLA, etc, by providing comprehensive legal assessments, risk analysis, procedural guidelines and legal review of any relevant working document;
  • advise on innovation-related projects, security arrangements and wider European Union defence initiatives, ensuring that their legal, governance, industrial and intergovernmental dimensions are addressed coherently and at an early stage;
  • identify and mitigate legal and governance risks, clarify the allocation of responsibilities, and develop robust contractual arrangements in close cooperation with operational teams, Member States and partners;
  • support the Head of Unit in the management and coordination of the Unit, act on the Head of Unit’s behalf when required, and contribute to the planning, prioritisation and quality assurance of its work;
  • perform the functions of Data Protection Officer, independently advising the Agency on its data protection obligations, monitoring compliance, promoting awareness and cooperation, and acting as the contact point for the European Data Protection Supervisor and data subjects.

Duties may evolve according to the development of EDA’s structure and activities, and the decisions of EDA management.

6. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be considered eligible to take part in this selection procedure, on the closing date for the submission of applications candidates must satisfy all the eligibility criteria as specified below:

  • be a national of a Member State participating in the Agency;
  • be entitled to their full rights as citizens;
  • have fulfilled any obligations imposed on them by the laws concerning military service;
  • produce the appropriate character references as to their suitability for the performance of their duties (extract from the “judicial record” or certificate of good conduct will be requested prior to recruitment);
  • be physically fit to perform their duties;
  • have a thorough knowledge (minimum level C1 oral and written) of one of the languages of the participating Member States and a satisfactory knowledge (minimum level B2 oral and written) of another of these languages to the extent necessary to discharge their duties;
  • have no personal interest (financial, family relationship, or other) which could be in conflict with disinterested discharge of their duties within the Agency;
  • hold, or be in a position to obtain, a valid Personnel Security Clearance Certificate (national or EU PSC at SECRET UE/EU SECRET level). Personnel Security Clearance Certificate (PSCC) means a certificate issued by a competent authority establishing that an individual is security cleared and holds a valid national or EU PSC, and which shows the level of EUCI to which that individual may be granted access (SECRET UE/EU SECRET), the date of validity of the relevant PSC and the date of expiry of the certificate itself. Note that the necessary procedure for obtaining a PSCC can be initiated on request of the employer only, and not by the individual candidate;
  • have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is four years or more, or a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma and appropriate professional experience of at least one year when the normal period of university education is at least three years or be a graduate of a national or international Defence College; or where justified in the interests of the service, professional training of an equivalent level.

Only diplomas that have been awarded in EU Member States or that are the subject of equivalence certificates issued by the authorities in the said Member States shall be taken into consideration. In the latter case, the authority authorised to conclude contracts of employment reserves the right to request proof of such equivalence.

For diplomas awarded in non-EU countries, a NARIC recognition is required: https://www.enic-naric.net/

Qualifications/diplomas awarded until 31/12/2020 in the United Kingdom are accepted without further recognition. For diplomas awarded after this date (from 01/01/2021), a NARIC recognition is required.

For native English speakers, your ability to communicate in another EU language will be tested during the selection process. To assess your foreign language levels, see: https://europa.eu/europass/en/common-european-framework-reference-language-skills

7. SELECTION CRITERIA

A. Essential

Only applications meeting all essential selection criteria will be assessed.

(1) Professional

Candidates will be required to demonstrate the following qualifications:

  • a university degree (or equivalent academic qualification) in Law;
  • at least seven (7) years of relevant professional experience, acquired after the award of the minimum qualification required as a condition of eligibility;
  • substantial professional experience in providing legal advice on public and/or collaborative procurement, including complex or high-value procurement procedures and contractual arrangements;
  • proven experience in identifying and addressing legal and governance risks and in providing legal advice on complex institutional, contractual matters;
  • sound knowledge of the European Union data protection framework and proven professional experience in advising on data protection and compliance matters;
  • proven experience in coordinating the work and priorities of a legal team, including quality assurance and the provision of legal and procedural advice in a multidisciplinary environment;
  • good knowledge of EDA’s role, legal framework and main functions;
  • a very good command of written and spoken English.

(2) Personal

All staff must be able to fit into the Agency's way of working (see para. 2). Other attributes important for this post include:

  • ability to work independently and collaboratively in a complex and multidisciplinary environment;
  • ability to work effectively in a multinational environment;
  • reliability and ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision;
  • strong analytical and problem-solving skills, sound legal judgement, and the ability to identify proportionate, practical and defensible solutions;
  • excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills, with the ability to explain complex legal issues clearly and influence stakeholders constructively;
  • good leadership skills and ability to coordinate and support colleagues effectively;
  • results-orientation and strong sense of responsibility;
  • flexibility and innovativeness;
  • genuine commitment to the Agency's objectives;

B. Desirable

The following will be considered an advantage:

  • experience in litigation, pre-litigation or dispute management, for example before national courts, the Court of Justice of the European Union or in administrative complaint procedures;
  • knowledge of, or experience in addressing, the interaction between the Agency’s legal framework and other European Union legal or funding frameworks, including the European Defence Fund, the European Defence Industry Programme and other current or future initiatives relevant to defence and security;
  • familiarity with the defence international environment (especially with CSDP);
  • experience of contributing or leading organisational and process change.

8. APPOINTMENT AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR TEMPORARY AGENTS AT EDA

EDA, whose staff are governed by its own Staff Regulations, offers specific conditions of employment with regards to contract duration and pension arrangements.

CONTRACT DURATION

The Senior Legal Officer will be appointed by the Chief Executive. Recruitment will be as a member of the temporary staff of the Agency for a 4-year period. Renewal is possible only once for an additional period of 4 years, within the limits set out in the EDA Staff Regulations. The successful candidate will be recruited as Temporary Agent, grade AD9. In line with EDA's Staff Regulations, the Agency does not offer inter-Agency mobility.

FINANCIAL ENTITLEMENTS

The pay for this position consists of a basic salary of 10.082,77€ supplemented with various allowances including, as applicable, expatriation or family allowances. Successful candidates are graded on entry into service according to the length of their professional experience. Salaries are exempted from national tax, instead an Agency tax is deducted at source.

PENSION ARRANGEMENTS SPECIFIC TO EDA

Prospective staff members considering a career at the European Defence Agency (EDA) should be aware that EDA has its own pension provisions and is not part of the EU institutions' pension scheme (PSEUI).

In addition, EDA staff have several flexible options regarding their pension contributions at the end of their contract, under certain conditions, such as:

  • transfer to a public pension scheme;
  • transfer to a private pension scheme;
  • direct payment as a severance grant.

For further information on working conditions please refer to: https://eda.europa.eu/jobs/what-we-offer

9. INDEPENDENCE AND DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The selected candidate will be required to make a declaration of commitment to act independently in the Agency’s interest and to make a declaration in relation to interests that might be considered prejudicial to their independence.

10. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

EDA is an equal opportunities employer and accepts applications without distinction on the grounds of age, race, political, philosophical or religious conviction, sex or sexual orientation and regardless of disabilities, marital status or family situation.

11. APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applications are invited with a view to establish a reserve list for the post of Senior Legal Officer at EDA. This list will be valid until 31/12/2028, and may be extended by decision of the Chief Executive. During the validity of the reserve list, successful candidates may be offered a post in EDA according to their competences in relation to the specific requirements of the vacant post. Inclusion on the reserve list does not imply any entitlement of employment in the Agency.

Candidates must submit their application electronically solely via the EDA website. Applications by any other means (hard copy or ordinary e-mail) will not be accepted. Applications must be submitted no later than midnight. Candidates are reminded that the on-line application system will not accept applications after midnight (Brussels time, GMT+1) on the date of the deadline. Please note that once you have created your EDA profile, any correspondence regarding your application must be sent or received via your EDA profile. For any prior enquiry, please refer to the FAQ (Frequently asked questions) section, or send an e-mail to recruitment@eda.europa.eu.

When applying, candidates from Ministries of Defence or other governmental entities are encouraged to inform their national administration.

A selection panel will be appointed. Please note that the selection panel's internal proceedings are strictly confidential and that any contact with its members is forbidden. Each application will be screened based on the requirements of the job profile stated in the vacancy notice. The most suitable applicants will be called for an interview and a written test. Candidates may also be requested to take part in an assessment centre, participating in a number of individual and group activities related to the competences required for the post.

EDA will not accept any phase of the selection & recruitment process prepared or assisted, in whole or in part, by means of generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots, such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (Chat GPT), or other language generating tools. EDA reserves the right to screen applications to identify the use of such tools. All applications prepared, in whole or in part, by means of such generative or creative AI tools may be rejected without further consideration at EDA’s sole discretion, and EDA reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.