EFTA Surveillance Authority

Role Description ESA is recruiting a Legal Officer to join its Internal Market Affairs Directorate (IMA), in the Transport and Connectivity Unit (TCU unit). IMA is responsible for monitoring the EEA EFTA States to ensure that they comply with their obligations in the field of internal market law. The TCU unit is more specifically responsible for monitoring the compliance of the EEA EFTA States to the legislation in the areas of Maritime, Aviation, Rail, Road and Inland transport as well as in the areas of Telecommunications, Postal Services, Information Society Services, Audiovisual Services and Cyber Security. ESA is seeking a candidate with a minimum of 3 years of work experience from the public or private sector and solid knowledge of EEA Maritime Transport legislation. The successful candidate will be assigned responsibility for general surveillance work and case handling regarding the implementation and application of EEA law relating to Maritime Transport (safety, security, freedom to provide services and establishment) in the EEA EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway). Tasks include examination of complaints, legal conformity assessments, drafting of decisions, opinions and reports, organisation of and participation in maritime security inspections.

Role Description ESA is recruiting a Legal Officer to join its Competition and State Aid Directorate (CSA). CSA is a multi-disciplinary team, comprising both economists and lawyers, that enforces the competition and state aid rules of the EEA Agreement. These rules mirror the competition rules in the EU, both with regard to antitrust and state aid control. CSA has similar enforcement powers as the European Commission’s DG COMP. In the field of competition, the bigger share of CSA’s work is focused on cases of abuse of dominance (article 54 EEA, which mirrors article 102 TFEU). CSA maintains close cooperation with the competition authorities of the EFTA EEA states and with the European Commission under the cooperation rules of the EEA Agreement. CSA is a member of the European Competition Network (ECN) and participates in the various working groups. The successful candidate will be assigned responsibility for assessing and handling competition law cases. Tasks include examination of complaints, drafting of Statements of Objections, Requests for Information, decisions, and legal opinions on the application of the EEA antitrust rules and procedures. Cooperation with national authorities and participation in the ECN working groups form part of the job. We are looking for a qualified lawyer with experience within the field of EEA/EU competition law. This position is aimed at candidates with at least five years of relevant experience, who are motivated by the opportunity to gain professional development. Ideally, the successful candidate will have worked with competition law matters in private practice (law firm or in-house lawyer), a European institution (DG Comp or Legal Service) or a national competition authority. Knowledge of the language, legal system, economy and national administration of Iceland or Norway would be an advantage (but not a requirement). Additional qualified candidates will also be considered for vacancies foreseen in the Directorate over the next 12-18 months.

Role description ESA is recruiting an Economist to join its Competition and State Aid Directorate (CSA). CSA is a multi-disciplinary team comprising both economists and lawyers. It enforces the competition and state aid rules of the EEA Agreement, as well as regulation in the electronic communications sector (eCom). In the field of competition, CSA’s work is focused on abuse of dominance cases and anti-competitive agreements (articles 54 and 53 EEA, which mirror articles 102 and 101 TFEU). In state aid, CSA’s portfolio is diverse - covering all relevant sectors, guidelines and procedures. In relation to eCom, the regulatory framework established by the European Electronic Communications Code requires the national regulatory authorities in the EEA EFTA States to notify - prior to adoption - certain draft measures to ESA. CSA may comment on such draft measures or may request their amendment or withdrawal. In all areas of work, CSA co-operates closely with the European Commission to ensure the consistent application of legislation throughout the EEA. We are looking for a well-qualified economist with experience in competition, state aid and/or eCom regulation. The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of competition economics, including state aid control and/or the economics of regulation. The successful candidate will be part of CSA’s Chief Economist Team and report to the Chief Economist. The work will be co-ordinated by the Deputy Director for Competition and Regulation and the Deputy Director of State Aid. The candidate will also report to the Director of CSA. Depending on workload and other developments, the concentration of responsibilities between the areas of work may vary throughout the year.