EFTA Surveillance Authority is looking for a Legal Officer - Internal Market Affairs (Energy)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) is an international organisation which monitors compliance with the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA Agreement) in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, enabling those States to participate in the Internal Market of the European Union.

ESA’s work helps remove barriers to trade and open up new opportunities to over 450 million Europeans, creating jobs and growth and adding to the international competitiveness of the States.

ESA currently employs staff members of 22 different nationalities from across the EEA. Based in Brussels, ESA is collocated within the EFTA House with its sister organisations the EFTA Secretariat and the EEA and Norway Grants (FMO).

ESA is led by a College of three members, appointed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. It is divided into the following departments: Administration, Internal Market Affairs Directorate, Competition and State Aid Directorate and Legal and Executive Affairs Department.

Deadline for applications: 13-09-2026

Job Reference: 12/2026

Role Description

ESA is recruiting a Legal Officer to join its Internal Market Affairs Directorate (IMA), in the Environment, Energy, Financial Services and Public Procurement Unit (ENFIP).

Within ESA, IMA is responsible for monitoring the implementation and application of EEA rules relating to the internal market. This includes the free movement of goods, workers, services and capital, as well as horizontal policies such as public procurement, energy, environment, transport and food and veterinary law. In addition, IMA has some management tasks and direct enforcement within the internal market.

ENFIP is one of the four Units in IMA. It monitors the implementation and application of EEA law in specialised fields such as environment and climate change, energy, financial services, banking, anti-money laundering, insurance and public procurement, while also liaising with EU agencies and overseeing compliance by national authorities.

ESA is seeking a candidate with a minimum of 5 years of work experience from the public or private sector and in-depth experience dealing with EEA energy law and EU energy policy and legislation.

The successful candidate will:

• Be assigned responsibility for general surveillance work and case handling concerning the implementation and application of EEA law relating to Energy law in the EEA EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway).
• Examine complaints and carry out legal conformity assessments.
• Draft ESA decisions, opinions and reports relating to the application of Energy law in the EEA EFTA States.
• Proactively monitor and analyse developments in the relevant policy and legal fields.
• Cooperate closely with external counterparts, including the European Commission, the EU Agency for energy (ACER), the EFTA Secretariat, national competent authorities and relevant market participants in the EEA EFTA States.
• Contribute to the wider work of IMA and ESA, coordinating with colleagues and supporting delivery of shared objectives in an international setting.

Depending on workload and other developments, the responsibilities may be changed to cover other general or specific issues relating to EEA law.

The role of Legal Officer is a unique opportunity to handle a wide range of challenging cases. It should appeal in particular to eloquent, dynamic and self-motivated lawyers who enjoy analysing legal problems while at the same time being interested in policy formulation and implementation at both national and European level.

Essential Skills

• University degree in law, or recognised equivalent qualification in law
• Very good knowledge of the EU/EEA legal framework and relevant policies, with a strong focus on regulatory aspects of EEA law concerning Energy
• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in the private or the public sector
• Excellent command of written and spoken English (ESA’s working language) as well as proven legal drafting ability
• Excellent organisational, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills
• Initiative and the ability to work both independently and in a team in an international environment
• Willingness and ability to take on work across different areas within the responsibility of ENFIP.

Ideal Skills

• A postgraduate degree in EU/EEA law and/or in the field of Energy law
• Knowledge of and familiarity with the functioning of the EEA Agreement on the European Economic Area, especially in the area of Energy law, and of the EEA EFTA States
• Familiarity with the legal orders of Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
• Relevant professional experience involving the EU institutions, relevant national authorities, administrations or market participants
• Experience with case handling in relevant areas

Other information

ESA offers a dynamic and diverse work environment, providing the chance to collaborate with a team of highly skilled professionals. You will be part of an organisation that values professionalism, cooperation, trust, responsibility and respect.

We offer:

• International experience and professional development
• An inclusive and supportive environment with high regard for cultural differences
• Competitive salary and benefits package, and favourable tax conditions
• Generous leave scheme
• Medical, life and disability and travel insurances
• Savings fund to assist with retirement planning
• Flexible working arrangements
• Language training expenses

This position will be filled in accordance with ESA’s policy on Recruitment available at: https://jobs.eftasurv.int. Former ESA staff members are eligible to apply provided the closing date is at least three years after their departure date. In exceptional circumstances, this requirement may be waived.

The positions are placed at grade A4 of ESA’s salary scale, the precise step being determined depending on the relevant experience of the successful candidates, with a likely starting salary of between €117 072 and €123 167 per annum. Depending on personal situation and family status, additional allowances and benefits may apply. Tax conditions are favourable.

Type and duration of appointment: fixed-term contract of three years, renewable for a further three years if desirable and in the interest of ESA. Candidates must be nationals of the States party to the EEA Agreement (EEA EFTA States and the EU Member States) at the point of application and the time of any offer being made.

ESA actively seeks to promote a healthy work/life balance and a working environment allowing its staff members to develop their professional skills and interests.

Application process:

• All applications must be made online at: https://jobs.eftasurv.int
• Deadline for applications: Sunday 13 September 2026 (midnight Brussels time)
• Interviews: October/November
• Start date: 1 January 2026

Applications submitted in response to this vacancy notice may also be taken into account for the purpose of filling other vacancies arising for similar positions within ESA.

Questions regarding the post may be addressed to Kyrre Isaksen, Deputy Director IMA on +32 (0)2 286 1895 / kis[at]eftasurv[dot]int.

Questions regarding the recruitment process may be addressed to Catherine Vandeput, HR Officer, on +32 2 286 1870 / cva[at]eftasurv[dot]int.

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