Chips Joint Undertaking is looking for a Legal Officer

Type of contract: Contract Agent 3a

Type of Post: Legal Officer

Type of publication: External

Function group/Grade: FG IV

Duration of contract: 3 Years renewable pursuant to Article 3(a) of the CEOS

Place of employment: Brussels, Belgium

Deadline for applications: 31 August 2026, 23:59 (CET, Central European Time, Brussels time)

Reserve list valid until: 31/12/2028

Number of persons to be recruited: 1

Number of persons for the reserve list (estimated): 10

1 INTRODUCTION

The Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips Joint Undertaking) is a public-private European Partnership aimed at leveraging investments in the electronics sector in Europe to research and develop innovative key digital technologies. The Chips Joint Undertaking fosters research and innovation collaboration between stakeholders such as industry, public authorities, academia, and research and technology organisations, pulling together and focusing efforts. The Chips Joint Undertaking’s strategy is aligned with the Horizon Europe Framework Programme and the programmes of Participating States to attract private investments and contribute to the effectiveness of public support by avoiding unnecessary duplication and fragmentation of efforts, thus contributing to the development of a strong and globally competitive industry in the European Union.

The Chips Joint Undertaking is based in Brussels, Belgium.

As part of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027 and in line with the Horizon Europe Framework Programme, the Chips Joint Undertaking is established by Council Regulation (EU) 2023/1782 of 25 July 2023 amending Council Regulation (EU) No 2021/2085 of 19 November 2021 establishing the Joint Undertakings under Horizon Europe. The Chips Joint Undertaking is the successor to the former KDT Joint Undertaking 1 and supports the latter’s ongoing projects.

The Chips Joint Undertaking addresses clearly defined topics that will reinforce the Union’s technological autonomy in electronic components and systems, establishes the Union’s scientific excellence and innovation leadership in emerging components and systems technologies, and ensures that components and systems will address Europe’s societal and environmental challenges.

Members of the Joint Undertaking are the European Union through the European Commission, Member States and Associated Countries to the Framework Programme Horizon Europe on a voluntary basis, and three industrial associations forming the private members of the Chips Joint Undertaking: ‘AENEAS’, ‘INSIDE’ and ‘EPoSS’.

For further information, please consult the following website: https://www.chips-ju.europa.eu

2 POSITION ADVERTISED

2.1 Overall purpose

The Legal Officer will work as part of the legal team, under the supervision of the Head of Finance and Administration.

S/he will contribute to ensuring a sound legal environment for the Chips JU’s overall functioning, in particular by providing legal advice and support on various legal aspects regarding the Chips JU’s work.

2.2 Duties and responsibilities

The Legal Officer duties include:

General legal advice and legal acts

• Draft legally sound decisions for adoption by the Executive Director as well as other relevant acts;
• Provide legal advice on various requests (MoUs, implementing rules, staff regulations, etc.);
• Ensure compliance with European Union and the Chips JU 's rules and regulations;
• Contribute to the production of manuals, guidance, internal procedures.

Operational activities

• Prepare and implement the Chips JU’s programme and actions from a legal perspective, for both Horizon Europe and Digital Europe Programmes;
• Provide advice to the Programme Officers in any legal question in relation to the signature and implementation of the Grant Agreement during the entire project lifecycle;
• Provide advice to Programme Officers in relation to the Chips for Europe Initiative Part of the work programme, including operational procurement, financial support to third parties or other specific actions, acting as drafter and legal initiator of certain documents, when applicable.

Governance

• Collaborate with the governance team for the smooth functioning of the Governing Board and Public Authorities Board, organise meetings and written procedures, preparing decisions, etc;
• Prepare and follow-up Administrative Agreements with the National Funding Authorities;
• Collaborate to the preparation of the work programme and other key documents.

Public procurement

• Together with the procurement officer, advise staff members on procurement rules when they want to purchase goods or services.

Litigation

• Contribute to defend the interests of the JU in any type of legal action or litigation;
• Contribute to find solutions to avoid litigation.

Document management

• Act as a Document Management Officer and ensure compliance with document management standards of the European Commission.

Networking

• Collaborate with the other units of the JU in order to achieve the objectives and program of the Chips JU and assist the Executive Director and Heads of Unit in any legal issues;
• Establish strong relations with legal networks and relevant DGs and liaise with the legal officers of other JUs for common procurements and other back-office arrangements.

3 ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA

3.1 Eligibility criteria

Candidates will be considered for the selection phase based on the following criteria to be fulfilled by the closing date for applications:

a) General conditions

• Be a national of a Member State of the European Union and enjoy her/his full rights as a citizen;
• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws concerning military service;
• Been able to produce the appropriate character references as to her/his suitability for the performance of her/his duties.
• Be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post.
• Very good command of written and spoken English (C level). Have a thorough knowledge of one of the official EU languages and a satisfactory knowledge (at least B2 level or equivalent) of another of these languages to the extent necessary for the performance of their duties (candidates are invited to specify in their CV any language certificates they have obtained which can demonstrate their language skills).
• After closing date, candidates invited for interview: to pass a competition based on either qualifications or tests, or both qualifications and tests.

b) Education

On the closing date for applications, candidates must have:

• A level of education that corresponds to completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma 2 , and
• At least three years full-time proven professional experience , acquired after obtaining the degree.

3.2 Selection criteria

Candidates selected based on the above eligibility criteria will then be evaluated according to the following selection criteria:

a) Essential criteria

• Suitability to perform the tasks described under point 1 b);
• Proven professional experience of at least 2 years in carrying out legal tasks (forming part of the minimum 3-year experience referred to under point 2 a) ii);
• Proven professional experience working with the Regulations, rules and procedures of relevance to EU institutions, including the EU Financial Regulation.

Some of these competencies will be assessed during the interview.

b) Advantageous criteria

• Experience in an EU/international organisation;
• Proven experience in the implementation of Horizon Europe and Digital Europe Programmes,
• Proven experience in document management;
• Very good knowledge of Microsoft IT Tools (Office package, SharePoint) and EU tools (Ares, Sygma, Compass)

c) Behavioural competences

• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritise;
• Ability to work effectively under pressure without close supervision, to respect tight deadlines, and to use her/his initiative to solve problems and to take a proactive approach;
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and collaboration skills (e.g. the ability to establish and develop good inter-personal relations with a broad range of stakeholders in crosscultural environments as well as in the team).

In order to be evaluated in the best possible way, candidates are recommended to give evidence of their knowledge with specific examples and/or detailed professional experience. Candidates are invited to be as detailed and as clear as possible in the description of their professional experience and specific skills and competences in their application form.

Failure to comply with the eligibility and essential selection criteria will result in a disqualification of the applicant concerned.

4 APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Candidates must submit an online application using SYSTAL vacancies portal.

1. Complete the online application form in English (main working language of Chips JU and to assist with the evaluation of the level of English of the candidates) - to access the right form, candidates should select the vacancy for which they wish to apply;
2. It is advisable (no mandatory) to upload a letter of motivation and a Curriculum Vitae (CV), both in English (main working language of Chips JU and to assist with the evaluation of the level of English of the candidates) in the European CV format https://europa.eu/europass/en in SYSTAL.

Candidates are advised to apply using an e-mail address that will remain valid for several months: candidates that will leave their job in the coming months are advised not to use their professional e-mail address.

Supporting documents (e.g. certified copies of degrees/diplomas, references, proof of experience, etc.) should not be sent at this point. In order to facilitate the selection process, application documents as well as all communications to candidates concerning this vacancy will be in English.

Application forms sent by e-mail or post will not be accepted.

Candidates are asked to report any potential change of contact details without delay, to the following e-mail address: vacancies@chips-ju.europa.eu

Please remember to quote the reference of the vacancy for which you have applied in all correspondence: Chips-2026-06-FGIV-LO.

Candidates should assess and check before submitting their application that they fulfil all the requirements as specified in the vacancy notice, particularly in terms of qualifications and relevant professional experience.

All documentary evidence of professional experience must indicate both start and end date of previous positions and the start date of the position held currently, full time or part-time work has to be also indicated. Freelance or self-employed candidates must provide either a copy of the entry in the relevant trade register, or any official document (for example a tax revenue) showing clearly the length of the relevant professional experience.

5 SELECTION PROCEDURE

A Selection Committee, appointed by the Executive Director of the Chips JU, assesses the applications in accordance with the eligibility and selection criteria outlined in the vacancy notice and establishes a shortlist of candidates for an interview and a written test.

• Written test on a topic related to the job description,
• Interview with the Selection committee.

The Selection committee will establish a reserve list of suitable candidates to be approved by the Executive Director. The recruitment will take place only upon a decision of the Executive Director.

Candidates are reminded that the Selection Committee’s work is confidential. It is strictly forbidden for candidates to make direct or indirect contact with its members or to ask anybody to do so on their behalf.

6 APPOINTMENT AND RESERVE LIST

The Executive Director may decide to interview the candidates before establishment of the reserve list and/or appointment.

The Executive Director will approve a reserve list and select 1 candidate for the post. A binding commitment can only be made after the verification of all conditions and will take the form of a contract signed by the Executive Director.

The reserve list may be used to fill other positions of the same nature and of the same grade within the Chips JU.

The reserve list might be used by other Joint Undertakings to cover a similar position: in such a case, candidates will be asked to confirm their explicit consent allowing the Chips JU to transfer their data to the concerned Joint Undertaking.

Candidates should note that inclusion on the reserve list does not guarantee recruitment. Recruitment will be based on availability of posts and budget. The reserve list for this post will be valid until 31/12/2028 and may be extended at the discretion of the Executive Director.

7 CONTRACTUAL CONDITIONS

The successful candidate will be appointed by the Executive Director of the Chips JU as a contractual agent Function Group IV for a period of three years, renewable pursuant to Article 3(a) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union.

The successful candidate will be asked to perform nine months of probationary period.

After an evaluation of the post holder’s performance, the contract may be renewed in accordance with the Chips JU legal basis. The period of engagement will not in any case exceed the lifetime of the Chips JU.

Remuneration will be based on the Union scale of salaries. Pay is subject to Union tax and other deductions laid down in the Staff Regulations. Remuneration is, however, exempt from any national taxation.

The successful applicant who is offered a contract of employment will be graded in accordance to Article 86(1) of the CEOS, taking into consideration their qualifications and professional experience at the time of entry into service.

The indicative basic monthly salaries of FG IV (allowances and contributions/deductions not included):

• FG IV grade 13: EUR 4,449.31
• FG IV grade 14: EUR 5,034.18
• FG IV grade 16: EUR 6,444.59

The place of employment is Brussels , where the JU premises are located.

The working language is English.

For any further information on contractual and working conditions, please refer to the Staff Regulations of Officials and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union, which is available on the following web page:

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1962R0031:20140101:EN:PDF

8 DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT TO SERVE PUBLIC INTEREST INDEPENDENTLY

The successful candidate will be required to make a declaration of commitment to act independently in the public interest and to make a declaration in relation to interests which might be considered prejudicial to his/her independence.

Candidates must confirm their willingness to do so in their application.

9 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

The Chips Joint Undertaking is committed to welcoming and managing diversity, gender equality and inclusion, and welcome applications from all candidates independently of their gender, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, language, religion or belief, age or sexual orientation, including from candidates with disabilities. Assistance can be provided to persons with disabilities during the recruitment procedure.

The Chips Joint Undertaking actively welcomes applications from all qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds, across all abilities and from the broadest possible geographical basis amongst the EU Member States.

10 REQUEST FOR REVIEW AND APPEAL PROCEDURES

A candidate who feels that she/he has been treated incorrectly may ask to have her/his application reconsidered by sending, within 20 days of the date of notification, a request for review via e-mail to: vacancies@chips-ju.europa.eu

The candidate should quote the number of the selection procedure concerned and address the request to the Chairman of the Selection Committee.

The Selection Committee will reconsider the application and notify the candidate of its decision within 45 days of receipt of the request.

Appeal procedures

If the candidate considers that she/he has been adversely affected by a particular decision, she/he can lodge a complaint under Article 90(2) of the Staff Regulations of Officials and the Conditions of employment of other servants of the European Union (CEOS), at the following address:

Executive Director Chips JU TO 56-60 B-1049 Brussels Belgium

The complaint must be lodged within 3 months. The time limit for initiating this type of procedure (see Staff Regulations as amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 723/2004 of 22 March 2004, published in Official Journal of the European Union L 124 of 27 April 2004 -http://eur-lex.europa.eu ) starts to run from the time the candidate is first informed of the outcome of the recruitment procedure).

If the complaint is rejected the candidate may bring a case under Article 270 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 91 of the Staff Regulations and the CEOS before:

The European Union Civil Service Tribunal Postal Address L-2925 Luxembourg

The Executive Director does not have the power to amend the assessment decisions of the Selection Committee. The Court has consistently held that the wide discretion enjoyed by Selection Committee is not subject to review by the Court unless rules which govern the proceedings of the Selection Committee have been infringed.

It is also possible to complain to the European Ombudsman pursuant to Article 228 (1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union:

European Ombudsman 1 Avenue du Président Robert Schuman -CS 30403

F-67001 Strasbourg Cedex Complaints made to the Ombudsman have no suspense effect on the period laid down in the Articles 90(2) and 91 of the Staff Regulations for lodging, respectively, a complaint or an appeal with the European Union Civil Service Tribunal under Article 270 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

11 CHIPS JU PRIVACY STATEMENT

The Chips JU may process your personal data on the basis of the European Regulation (EU) N°2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies on the free movement of such data (‘EUI -GDPR’) as part of your job application with. Find more a bout how the Chips JU processes personal data in the context of recruitment procedures in the dedicated privacy statement.

If you have any complaints regarding the processing of your personal data by us, you may always contact us by sending an e-mail to dpo@chips-ju.europa.eu.

If you remain unsatisfied with our response, you are free to file a complaint with the European Data Protection Supervisor(https://edps.europa.eu).

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