EFSA/F/4/2025/01

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), based in Parma, Italy
is looking for a

IS THIS JOB FOR YOU?

Are you a highly motivated professional with experience in the legal field? Do you want to play an active role within a dynamic team in a multicultural organisation?
EFSA is looking for a legal officer with a results driven mind and an ability to work proactively, both individually and in a team, and with a specific interest in legal issues related to technological development, process digitisation and artificial intelligence.
The jobholder will work in the Legal Affairs Services Unit within the Management Services Department.

WHAT ARE THE SELECTION REQUIREMENTS?

You must satisfy the following requirements on the closing date for submission of your application:
I. Eligibility criteria

1. General requirements

• Be national of a Member State of the European Union, Iceland or Norway;
• Enjoy full rights as a citizen;
• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by laws concerning military service;
• Be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post;[1]
• Have a thorough knowledge of one of the EU official languages and a satisfactory knowledge of another EU language;
• Meet the character requirements for the duties involved.

1. Qualifications
   A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three (3) years attested by a diploma in the legal area.[2]
   In case you do not fulfil all the eligibility criteria, your application will not be taken into consideration.
   II. Selection criteria
   The following competencies will be assessed throughout the different phases of the selection procedure. Candidates are also expected to demonstrate effective communication in both spoken and written English as well as strong motivation for the position.
2. Technical competencies
   i. Experience in providing legal and/or regulatory advice to different target audiences: able to convey complex/technical/sensitive legal and regulatory concepts and make them understandable to the target audience in at least one of the following areas: Union food law, personal data protection rules, intellectual property law, administrative law related to transparency and confidentiality, public access to documents, competing interest management, financial rules, Union civil service law;
   ii. Knowledge by training or by experience of the AI Act and other legal requirements relating to AI systems: able to contribute to ensuring a legally sound use of AI systems, including by performing risks assessments from a compliance perspective;
   iii. Experience in managing legal processes/affairs: able to assess and handle conflict of interests within the organisation; able to handle requests involving commercially sensitive data and personal data;
   iv. Experience in pre-litigation process: able to effectively defend the interests of the organisation in the context of the review of administrative decisions; able to effectively defend the interests of the organisation in the context of complaints lodged to the European Ombudsman and legal proceedings before the EU Courts;
   v. Experience in defining internal policies and process design: able to draft legal documents; able to describe process scope, activities, inputs/outputs, actors and stakeholders involved and provide input for possible improvements; able to cooperate with scientists and/or IT product managers/developers to optimise legal processes and related IT tools;
   vi. Experience in EU institutions and agencies with exposure to internal decision-making and legal processes.
3. Behavioural competencies
   i. Deal with ambiguity: Able to work constructively within unexpected and unpredictable situations and show resilience and composure, even in difficult or adverse circumstances; able to decide and act without having the total picture; accept constructive feedback in a positive manner;
   ii. Demonstrate political savvy and strategic agility: Look beyond the current situation and visualise what the future can bring with a keen sense for arising opportunities and good understanding of how and when to best pursue them; able to think in a creative and innovative way;
   iii. Focus on stakeholder needs: Committed to meet the expectations and requirements of internal and external stakeholders; establish and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and gain their trust and respect;
   iv. Plan and measure for results: Set ambitious goals that exceed the targets and create plans to achieve them; ensure an efficient and responsible planning and management of resources;
   v. Work with others: Work confidently within a group and contribute to achieve the common goals, understanding own role and how it supports the team and the organisation; able to cooperate, listen actively, manage conflicts and motivate colleagues.

• Provide legal and regulatory advice on any aspect of legal relevance, including in relation to technological developments (Artificial Intelligence), activities of the EFSA Scientific Committees and Panels, intellectual property (copyright), outsourcing procedures, the management of human resources;
• Draft legal opinions, briefs, reports and correspondence on any legal issue referred for consideration in all areas of EFSA activities; draft EFSA’s internal rules, decisions and EFSA governance documents;
• Present and explain the interpretation of law or legal positions at internal or external meetings;
• Ensure proper interpretation and implementation of the legal framework applicable or pertaining to EFSA activities, including the AI Act;
• Handle requests of confidentiality, public access to documents and access to environmental information, in a legally sound and accurate manner, in accordance with applicable legal framework and latest case law;
• Handling complaints and legal proceedings involving or relating to EFSA’s mission or activities;
• Follow up on all legislative initiatives pertaining or impacting on the Authority, and coordinating with EFSA colleagues on these matters;
• Interact with regulatory scientists and/or IT product managers/developers to develop and improve legal processes;
• Provide assistance to the Executive Director in providing the secretariat of the Management Board;
• Contributing to the relations with external stakeholders, including EU institutions and agencies, national competent authorities and lawyers.