Head of the Public International Law Division

Job Requisition ID: 19212

Date Posted: 12 December 2024

Application Deadline: 12 January 2025 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Contract: Permanent

Directorate: Strategy, Legal and External Affairs

Workplace: Paris, FR

Grade Band: A5 - A5

Location
ESA Headquarters, Paris, France

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
proven expertise and practice in public international and/or EU law

good knowledge of ESA's institutional set up and legal framework, convention, rules, regulations and policies

Knowledge and understanding of the Agency's core business and operational framework

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.

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. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at [email protected].

Important Information and Disclaimer
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality and Languages
Please note that applications can only be considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States*.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.

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