About this job

Important note: In order to consider your application valid, you are required to log in and submit application through the GSA e-recruitment portal. 

More information about the vacancy and how to apply can be found on the GSA Job opportunities page: https://www.gsa.europa.eu/gsa/jobs-opportunities.

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) is responsible for operations, service provision, security and market development for the European Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) EGNOS and Galileo. By developing a new generation of GNSS, Europe is laying the foundation for the development of new high-tech industry, leading to job creation and economic growth. These flagship European space programmes, which embody what can be achieved when Europe works together, are already bringing real benefits to people and business in Europe and around the world.

The GSA is operated and supported by a multicultural team of professionals with interdisciplinary expertise working to ensure that the end-user is kept at the centre of Galileo and EGNOS.

The Legal and Procurement Department steers the legal dimension and ensures the overall follow-up of all GSA legal activities, and provides legal advice on all GSA policies. The department assists all other departments in contract preparation, negotiation and interpretation and manages all procurements, contracts, grants and other agreements. It also oversees the protection of personal data and ensures compliance with relevant legislation.

Responsibilities

The Senior Legal Officer will be in charge of supporting the Agency in all tasks of the Legal and Procurement Department, in particular:

• Provide specialist legal and procedural advice to ensure that the GSA acts within its statutory and regulatory obligations;
• Provide legal advice to the Agency’s operational and administrative departments;
• Identify legal issues associated with GSA’s activities to prevent the Agency incurring legal risks and develop solutions;
• Advise on issues potentially giving rise to litigation, provide legal advice and manage litigation cases at administrative and judicial level, as well as representing GSA before local courts and the European Court of Justice;
• Contribute to the identification, assessment and management of potential risks associated with GSA legal, procurement and contract management activities;
• Provide expert advice on procurement, grants and prizes;
• Coordinate calls for tenders and calls for grants in line with standard best practices;
• Follow up on contract implementation and performance throughout the lifecycle of contracts;
• Ensure that all purchases by the GSA of goods or services comply with the applicable regulatory framework;
• Provide legal advice and support the interfaces with key stakeholders (e.g. Administrative Board, Security Accreditation Board, European Commission, European Space Agency);
• Provide support when requested, in leading and coordinating specific areas, practices, projects and/or teams;
• Represent the Legal and Procurement Department in external meetings, working groups, conferences, seminars, networks and report to management;
• Contribute to general tasks of the Agency, such as planning, budgeting and reporting;
• Contribute to managing a team of professionals including setting targets, monitoring performance and supporting the development of junior team members;
• Assist with management of external support or advisers;
• Contribute to the preparation and development of internal rules and procedures, as well as high-level document management.

The Senior Legal Officer may be assigned to represent and deputise the Head of Legal and Procurement Department.

In addition, he/she will be required to perform any other tasks assigned by the Head of Legal and Procurement Department.

Profile

All eligible applications, according to the afore-mentioned criteria, will be assessed against the requirements listed below.

The Selection Board responsible for this selection will determine the criteria to be assessed in the various phases of the selection procedure (assessment of the application forms, interview and written test) prior to being granted access to the names of the applicants. All essential criteria will be assessed during the applications evaluation phase.

Non-compliance with any of the essential criteria may result in the exclusion of the candidate from the selection process. Advantageous criteria constitute additional assets and will not result in exclusion, if not fulfilled.

When filling the online application, candidates are expected to include elements that demonstrate that their profile matches the requirements below.

Essential criteria

• University degree in Law;
• Knowledge and experience of the EU legal and institutional framework;
• Extensive experience in the provision of legal advice and in drafting, negotiation, interpretation and enforcement of contracts (including complex legal constructions);
• Excellent command of both written and spoken English;

Advantageous criteria

• Knowledge and experience of handling matters related to the governance of corporate and/or institutional bodies;
• Proven experience in procurement/grant and contract management including high-tech and/or high value contracts;
• Knowledge (by training or experience) of space regulatory framework, policy, and stakeholders;
• Knowledge (by training or experience) of the field of protection of intellectual property;
• Experience in managing a team;

Behavioural competencies

• Motivation;
• Strong professional integrity and service-oriented attitude;
• Sense of proactive initiative and team spirit;
• Self-control under pressure in demanding situations and ability to handle numerous simultaneous tasks with a solution-driven attitude;
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.