Description

Under the direct authority of the Head of the Legal Services Department, and in support of their functions, you will contribute to the Agency’s legal counselling, lead a team of lawyers and support the Head of Department by advising on legal questions relating to public international law.

Duties

You will have the following specific duties:

• preparing and negotiating Agreements with international partners on non-programmatic matters;
• legal analysis and advice on matters relating to the Agency’s strategy, international relations and the relationship with the EU;
• preparing and conducting negotiations on Host Country Agreements, safeguarding proper and consistent application of the Agency’s Privileges & Immunities in Member and non-Member States;
• monitoring the evolution of space law and national legislation relevant to space activities, preparing Agency advice relating to these laws and supporting the Agency’s representation in international fora dealing with matters in those areas;
• legal advice on security and strategic trade control policy matters and legal support to the Agency’s bodies and services dealing with these matters, and preparing the related legal instruments;
• legal analysis and advice on the Agency’s mandatory activities and optional programmes within the responsibility of the Division, preparing and negotiating the related legal instruments.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education

A master’s in law and advanced studies in public international law are required. Qualification for admission to the Bar is an asset.

Additional requirements

Proven expertise and practice in public international and/or EU law is required. In addition, candidates should have:

• the ability to motivate and develop a team;
• the ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals within the Division and to relate team objectives to the overall and evolving organisational goals and context;
• the ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation;
• demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written;
• A proven track record of representing the Agency’s interests to external interfaces;
• excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills;
• the ability to anticipate problems, resolve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
• the ability to make solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity as well as to support others, such as team members, upper management and other stakeholders, in this process.

People management experience is required, international experience is an asset, including outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.
Mobility is inherent to management functions and this position may be subject to rotation.

Therefore, mobility opportunities may be offered to you as part of your career evolution at ESA, starting after approximately five years in this role.