Head of Legal Service EMA

Expiration Date

18 Jul 2012

Job Description

The European Medicines Agency is a decentralised body of the European Union (EU) in London. Its core responsibility is the protection and promotion of public health through the evaluation and supervision of medicines.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the jobholder will be responsible for managing the Legal Service, which is one of the Agency’s sectors, and actively assist the Management Board, the Executive Director and the Heads of Unit and Sector in legal matters which can frequently be urgent.

The Legal Service consists of a team of experienced lawyers and secretarial support staff. The Legal Service has overall responsibility for handling legal issues arising within the Agency, provide advice and support to the Agency’s operational units and sectors and represent the Agency at the European Court of Justice.

Elements that will be taken into account in determining candidates to be invited for interview:

• Strong experience in case preparation and pleading cases,
• Proven practical experience of the application of EU legislation in the pharmaceutical field and the Agency’s institutional environment,
• Proven experience in litigation before Member State national courts and/or the Court of Justice of the European Union and for staff matters at the Civil Service Tribunal or other courts depending on the case,
• Excellent knowledge of the pharmaceutical regulatory framework in Europe,
• Excellent knowledge of all legal procedures within all aspects of the Staff Regulations, Financial Regulations, Contracts and Procurements, Data Protection, and matters concerning the European Ombudsman,
• A postgraduate degree in EU law would be an asset,
• Ability to provide leadership, to coach and motivate a team of experienced qualified staff dealing with a variety of tasks and established responsibilities,
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills together with ability to act with tact, discretion and political sensitivity,
• Experience in working in an international environment

Essential requirements for admission to the selection procedure:

1. A university degree in Law,

2. At least 12 years’ professional experience after obtaining the relevant degree, that must have been obtained by the closing date, of which at least 8 years practical experience is in the field covered by the above description of duties,

3. A good command of English and a thorough knowledge of another language of the Communities to the extent necessary for the performance of duties (for any promotion in the future knowledge of a third language of the Community would be required)

For essential requirements 1. and 2. above candidates will be required to provide proof of each one prior to the interview stage.

Deadline for submission of application forms is 18 July 2012 at midnight.

For more details and to apply please click here.