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Legal Officers (FMO)

Brussels, Belgium


Job Reference: VA 28/2013
Category/Level: A4 
Division: Financial Mechanism Office 
Start Date: As soon as possible 
Type/Duration of Appointment: Fixed-term three years (renewable once if in the interest of the FMO)
The Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) administers the EEA Grants and Norway Grants on behalf of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The funding schemes aim at reducing economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area (EEA) and strengthening of bilateral relations with the 15 EU countries benefiting from the funding. 

Key areas of support include environment and climate change, civil society, human and social development, cultural heritage and cultural exchange, research and scholarships, decent work and justice and home affairs. 

The FMO is affiliated to the EFTA Secretariat in Brussels, reports to the ministries of foreign affairs of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. It serves as a contact point for the donor states, beneficiary states and other stakeholders. The FMO has 50 employees.

Scope

The FMO is looking for 2 highly motivated and dynamic lawyers to work in the FMO’s legal team. 

The Legal Officers will be part of FMO’s team for the 2009-2014 Financial Mechanisms and work in a fast paced, dynamic environment. She/he will provide legal support in relation to implementation of programmes and the preparation and revision of the Regulations and the grant agreements and MoUs with the beneficiary states. This includes support to colleagues at the FMO, to the donor states and to stakeholders in the beneficiary states.
Specific tasks will be to provide inputs and advice in the follow up and implementation of programmes in the beneficiary states, review and draft amendments to programme agreements and ensure that they are in line with the established regulatory framework for the mechanisms. Tasks further include explaining, elaborating on and revising the regulatory framework for the mechanisms, as well as ensuring contracting of services procured by the FMO. The successful applicant must be willing to take on other tasks as needed. She/he will report to the Head of the legal Unit in the FMO.

Qualifications

  • Master degree in law;
  • Advanced degree, particularly EU law, would be an advantage.

Experience

  • 5 years of relevant work experience, including EU funding, international finance programmes, project finance, trans-national contracts and EU-relevant legislation;
  • Experience in legal aspects of programme management; 
  • Work experience within any of the EU funds or a sound knowledge of and experience from the new EU member states would be a distinct advantage; 
  • Experience in programme monitoring and/or implementation is desirable.

Skills

  • Excellent analytical skills. Good eye for creative solutions to legal or policy challenges;
  • Ability to draft and review legal texts and opinions concisely and swiftly in the English language; 
  • Result-oriented approach, and a proactive and cooperative outlook; 
  • Strong interpersonal abilities, including a dynamic and flexible attitude, and cultural sensitivity; 
  • Self-reliance and autonomy, but also facility for team work; 
  • Ability to appreciate and follow priorities; 
  • High degree of organizational skills and ability to work under pressure; and 
  • Comprehensive IT-skills.

Languages

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
  • Knowledge of another EFTA/EU language is an asset.

Employment Terms

Grade: A4 
Annual Salary: EUR 84,387 

Appointments are normally made at step 1 of the grade. The Director of the FMO reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level different from that advertised. Through its recruitment policy, the FMO wants to ensure diversity in terms of gender, age and culture. 

Open to nationals of all EFTA and EU member states.
We offer a very interesting and challenging position in a dynamic and diverse environment and the opportunity to work in a team of highly qualified people. We also offer favourable tax conditions. In addition, depending on the candidate’s family status, attractive benefits and allowances may apply. 

Interested applicants should apply online via the EFTA e-recruitment tool: http://jobs.efta.int/

Please note that only applications received via our web tool will be considered. 

Deadline for submission of application: 1 September 2013.