VA 03/2024

Do you want to be a part of an ambitious international organisation working for the promotion of free trade and economic integration? The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) offers the opportunity for a motivated and highly skilled professional to join the EEA Coordination Division in Brussels. 

EFTA is an intergovernmental organisation working for the promotion of free trade and economic integration to the benefit of its four Member States; Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The EFTA Secretariat provides services to the EFTA States and has offices in Geneva, Brussels and Luxemburg. The Headquarters in Geneva services the EFTA Council and provides services for policy development, negotiations and implementation of free trade and cooperation agreements with countries outside the European Union. In Brussels this entails support in the management of the EEA Agreement, in particular in ongoing decision making for the continuing evolution of the EEA Agreement. EFTA’s Luxembourg office contributes to the development of the European Statistical system. 

This position is open only to nationals of the EFTA Member States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland).

Division EEA Coordination

Location Brussels

Category/Level A4

Type/Duration of Appointment Fixed term three years. If considered desirable and in the organisation’s interest, an additional three-year contract may be offered.

Start Date 1 October 2024

Job Reference VA 03/2024

Scope

The EEA Coordination Division is responsible for the overall coordination of general policy and legal EEA related activities, i.e. servicing the EEA Council, the EEA Joint Committee, the Standing Committee of the EFTA States, and the EFTA Advisory bodies (EFTA and EEA Parliamentary Committees and EFTA and EEA Consultative Committees).

In this role, your primary responsibility will be to provide services to the EFTA Advisory bodies and serve as one of the two secretaries to the EFTA Parliamentary Committee/EEA Joint Parliamentary Committee and the EFTA Consultative Committee/EEA Consultative Committee, respectively. You will work in tandem with the other Advisory bodies’ officer and support staff, servicing these committees and assisting the Forum of Local and Regional Authorities of the EEA EFTA States.

The work entails organising regular meetings, seminars and/or conferences of the Committees and providing information and support to their members. You will work closely with the Secretariats of the EFTA States’ parliaments, the Chairs of the Committees and Bureau members and organise the day-to-day work of the Committees. You will notably be involved in researching, analysing, and preparing policy documents, reports and resolutions on issues of interest to the committees in cooperation with experts in the Secretariat. You will also, in cooperation with colleagues in the EEA Coordination Division, monitor policy developments in the EU and, with colleagues of the Secretary-General’s Office and the Trade Relation Division, in international trade to contribute to the Committees work and its consistency with EFTA States’ policy agenda.

The role involves close cooperation between the EFTA Advisory bodies, the statutory bodies of EFTA and the EEA, as well as with the European institutions, the national parliaments and social partners, International and national organisations, think tanks and academia.

In this role, you will also have the responsibility of giving presentations and briefings, both internally and externally, on EFTA Advisory bodies’ work in relation to EFTA third country relations, the EEA and developments in the EU. You will be expected to travel on a regular basis and must be willing to take on other tasks as needed.

Qualifications

Higher university degree in International Relations, European Affairs, Political Science, Economics, Law or equivalent.

Experience

• A minimum of 5 years relevant work experience, preferably in a national administration, parliament, social partner organisation or international organisation.
• Excellent ability to draft speaking notes, analytical reports and policy papers concisely and clearly in the English language.
• Solid knowledge of EFTA and the EEA Agreement, international trade policy and EU policies and institutional structure.
• Experience with standard office software.

Skills

• Result-oriented approach, a productive and co-operative attitude, and good diplomatic, communication and social skills.
• Excellent organisational ability and facility for teamwork, including the ability to effectively participate in coordinating work of highly qualified professionals in a dynamic, task-oriented, and multi-cultural environment.
• Self-reliance, autonomy, and ability to take initiative and deliver with short deadlines on sensitive issues under pressure.

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of French and/or another language of the EFTA member states would be an asset.

Employment Terms

EFTA has a dynamic and diverse work environment with the opportunity to work in a team of highly qualified people. Here you will be part of an organisation based on professionalism, cooperation, trust, responsibility, and respect.

EFTA also offers:

• International career and learning opportunities.
• An inclusive environment with high regard for cultural differences.
• Competitive benefits package (salaries are normally exempt from income taxation; additional benefits and allowances may apply).

Grade: A4 

Annual salary: EUR 107,024

Appointments are made at the first step of the grade. The Secretary-General reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level different from that advertised. Through its recruitment policy, the EFTA Secretariat wants to ensure diversity in terms of gender, age and culture. 

Applicants must be nationals of one of the EFTA Member States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland).  

Applicants must apply online via the e-recruitment tool. Please note that only applications received via our web tool will be considered.

On job content: Mr Andri Lúthersson, DSG and Director ECD, Write an email

On process: Ms Catherine Vandeput, Senior HR Coordinator, Write an email

Technical issues: HR Support, Write an emailDeadline for applications: Sunday 26 May 2024