Legal Officer

Description Under the direct authority of the Head of the Institutional Law Division, you will be part of a team of highly motivated and skilled lawyers in an inspirational, interdisciplinary and multicultural environment. Our expertise spans a variety of legal disciplines including, but not limited to, public international law, European law, the national law of ESA’s Member States, the law of international civil servants, litigation and arbitration, intellectual property law and export control regulations.

The European Space Agency is an international organisation and the European gateway to space. Together with its Member States, the Agency pushes the boundaries of discovery and exploration and provides space applications for the benefit of citizens on Earth. ESA’s Legal Services Department provides a broad range of legal services and advice to support the implementation of ESA’s activities and programmes.

Duties Your tasks and responsibilities will include: Providing legal advice, conducting legal analysis and preparing notes and briefs regarding developments in public international law, including international civil service law and the national labour laws of the jurisdictions in which the Agency operates; Drafting and preparing legal instruments and working documents necessary for the conduct of the Agency’s activities and programmes; Providing legal advice on the formulation and application of the Agency’s regulations and rules, as well as the implementation of such rules, regulations and policies in the Agency’s day-to-day actions – especially on employment law matters in close coordination with Human Resources; Providing legal assistance and advice by closely interacting with the Agency’s decision-makers; Attending and providing legal support to internal Agency committees and boards, as relevant to the above functions; Representing the Agency’s position before the Advisory Board and the ESA Administrative Tribunal; preparing written submissions, pleadings and other necessary documents submitted to these bodies; Performing other related duties, as requested.

Requirements A master’s in law is required for this post (advanced studies in public international law, administrative or employment law) Qualification for admission to the Bar in a national jurisdiction is an asset. At least 3 years of proven experience in litigation matters, ideally within an international context Strong conflict resolution and negotiation skills Ability to draft legal submissions on complex issues Ability to conduct thorough legal research independently Excellent organisational skills with the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective working relations in a multicultural environment Competent user of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel and PowerPoint and the ability to adapt quickly to new technologies, including AI.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged. At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process.