JOB DESCRIPTION

Internal & Inter-Agency call for applications
LEGAL ADVISOR AND DATA PROTECTION OFFICER
Type of contract and grade Temporary Agent 2f – AD 6-9 (1)
Place of employment Thessaloniki, Greece
Reference Cedefop/2025/05/AD
Deadline for applications 13 November 2025 – 13:00 Greek time (CET+1)

1. Who are we?
Cedefop is the European Union’s reference centre for vocational education and training (VET), skills and qualifications. Our mission as an EU Agency is to provide research and policy analysis to support the development of European VET and skills policies and contribute to their implementation. More than ever, skills and VET play a crucial role at the intersection of different policy areas to accompany economic, demographic and social changes, including the digital and green transitions, and to address issues like labour market integration and employability of EU citizens. This is where we are committed and dedicated to providing pan-European expertise, services and tools that make a difference.
To learn more about Cedefop’s work, please visit Cedefop’s website.

2. Is this job for you?
The Legal Advisor and Data Protection Officer will provide legal advice and ensure a sound legal environment for the Agency’s operations by identifying and mitigating legal risks, and by providing legally sound proposals, analyses and opinions, particularly in case of pre-litigations and litigations.
The successful candidate will report directly to the Executive Director but will also work closely with the Department for Resources and Support, as well as Cedefop’s management team, as needed.
With this vacancy notice, Cedefop aims to fill one position. Other successful candidates will be placed on a list of suitable candidates and may be offered a position as the need arises in the Agency.
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1) Interagency mobility: successful candidates currently holding a Temporary agent 2(f) contract in the grades AD 6 to AD 9 will qualify for mobility under the terms of the CEOS, and in accordance with Cedefop rules.

3. Key responsibilities of the position
• Legal advice on the implementation and interpretation of the Staff Regulations of Officials (SR) and Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS), including: • supporting the preparation of Cedefop general provisions for implementing the Staff Regulations (GIPs), in conformity with Article 110 of the Staff Regulations, as well as other relevant staff policies
• offering legal advice to HR and management on the implementation of the SR and GIPs
• dealing as necessary with complaints and (pre-)litigations
• Legal advice on the implementation and interpretation of the Financial Regulation (FR), including:
• offering legal advice related to contractual matters, procurement procedures and the enforcement of contracts
• offering guidance and advice regarding intellectual property and copyright issues • dealing as necessary with relevant claims and litigations
• Data Protection and access to documents: serve as the Agency’s Data Protection Officer, advise on the application of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725, as well as for public access to documents and confirmatory applications in line with Regulation (EU) 1049/2001; • Representation: represent the Agency in the Inter-Agency Legal Network and the Data Protection Officer Network and in other relevant EU inter-institutional settings.

4. Cedefop as an employer of choice
We offer a vibrant multicultural work environment with project- and team-based approach.
Our actions are inspired by our core values:
• proactive and responsive: we deliver relevant, high-quality and timely evidence, expertise and tools, addressing our stakeholders’ and users’ needs, building inclusive partnerships, cooperating with other key players to tap synergies and avoid duplication and proactively supporting EU policy objectives.
• well-run and ambitious: we are an efficient and compliant Agency that is committed to transparency, scientifically sound research and analysis and the highest standards of ethics and integrity. We empower and engage our staff and continuously improve our processes.
• open-minded and adaptable: we develop new ideas, embrace change and innovation, and view European Union values founded on human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights as fundamental in all our activities.
We are committed to equality and diversity, providing equal opportunities to all employees and applicants. To attract diverse talent pool, we welcome applications from all qualified candidates, without any distinction on any grounds and from the broadest possible geographical basis amongst the EU Member States and EEA countries.
We place high importance on the professional development of our staff and offer diverse learning opportunities in-house and externally.

We value the well-being and work-life balance of our staff and offer flexible working arrangements, hybrid working and part-time working possibilities.
To learn more about Cedefop’s working conditions, refer to the dedicated guide. The salary grid is available here.

5. Eligibility
The selection procedure is open to applicants who are currently employed by any of the Agencies/Joint Undertakings referred to in Article 1 a(2) of the Staff Regulations as a Temporary Agent 2(f) in a function group and grade corresponding to the bracket AD 6 to 9.
In addition, candidates should:
a) have at least two years’ service within their Agency before moving and any decision derogating from that principle shall be taken jointly by the two agencies concerned, having regard to the interest of the service of both agencies;
b) have successfully completed the probationary period provided for in Article 14 of the CEOS, in the relevant function group (2).
6. Preselection phase
6.1 Exclusion (yes/no) preselection criteria

For your application to be considered further, you must meet the following criteria: • a university degree in law;
• English (the working language of Cedefop) at level C2 in all dimensions as per the CEFR.
Only if your application meets these two Exclusion preselection criteria it will be assessed against the scored preselection criteria listed below.
6.2 Scored preselection criteria
The scored preselection criteria consist of essential and advantageous criteria against which your application will be assessed.

6.2.1 Essential preselection criteria
If you do not meet the minimum requirements in the essential preselection criterion below, your application will not be considered further.
• at least 3 years of professional experience in the past 10 years relevant to the key responsibilities of the position described in Section 3.
• professional experience in dealing with claims and (pre-)litigations, with reference to the EU Staff Regulations
• professional experience in handling data protection matters related to the implementation of the EUDPR.
(2) Where, in exceptional circumstances, the agency engages a member of temporary staff 2(f) who does not meet that condition, such a staff member shall serve a full probationary period with the new agency in accordance with Article 14 of the CEOS and the new contract is not considered as a renewal of contract but an ex novo contract.

6.2.2 Advantageous preselection criteria
If you do not meet one or more of these criteria, listed in order of priority, it will not result in exclusion. However, meeting them will positively impact the overall scoring of your application, increasing your chances of being invited to the next stage of the selection process.
• experience of drafting complex legal documents (legal opinions, implementing rules, decisions and policies) in an EU institution
• experience in representing an Agency before the EU Court
• knowledge of French: at least level B1 in all dimensions as per the CEFR.