Senior Agent

ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT

This selection procedure is intended to establish a reserve list of successful candidates. It is envisaged to start using the reserve list in Q3 and/or Q4 of 2024.
Europol retains the right to make use of the reserve list to select candidates for similar posts within the organisation, should business needs require so.

Organisational setting:
The role of Senior Agent – Lawyer may be located in the Corporate Law or the Commercial Law Team, Institutional & Legal Affairs Department, Governance Directorate.

The Governance Directorate is responsible for supporting and assisting Europol Management and the rest of the organisation by providing advice and maintaining strategic links with relevant EU bodies and law enforcement agencies of the Member States. Maintaining close cooperation with other directorates, particularly on key corporate matters and monitor business planning and performance management, are also among the Directorate’s task. Additionally, the Governance Directorate is responsible to ensure Europol’s physical and information security and business continuity. Governance directorate comprises of two Departments, Institutional and legal affairs and Corporate security.

The Institutional and Legal Affairs Department deals with tasks central to Europol's corporate functioning. It is the interface between the organisation and the political sphere assisting Europol’s senior management with up-to-date information, legal and strategic assessments, managing external relations and preparing interactions with the Management Board and other stakeholders, as well as planning, monitoring and process functions.

The Corporate Law and Commercial Law Teams give legal advice on any of Europol’s activities – operational, contractual, institutional and staff-related –, to identify legal risks to the organization and develop solutions to mitigate or eliminate these.

The Corporate Law Team is responsible for addressing any matter that comes up in regard to the public law aspects of Europol’s legal framework, including the conclusion of working arrangements and implementing instruments with Europol’s partners, the defense of the agency against mandate-related court cases, giving technical advice to the EU legislator on amendments of the Europol Regulation, drafting and advising on implementing decisions by the Europol Management Board as well as matters related to public access. The Labour Law Office, as part of this team, handles complaints and requests in the staff area and is responsible for preparing the agency’s defense against related court cases, as well as for providing legal advice.

The Commercial Law Team advises on legal matters with budgetary or potential budgetary consequences. This mandate of the team involves advising and interpreting the applicable legal framework, supporting contract managers in the implementation of contracts, drafting, negotiation and interpretation of contracts and agreements with commercial or non-commercial third parties, and service level agreements with EU entities and Dutch authorities.

In addition, the Commercial Law Team advises on commercial aspects of intellectual property rights and commercial agreements involving the allocation of risk and responsibilities and supports other specialist teams by providing legal advice on specific issues e.g. conflict of interest rules, as well as templates e.g. for model framework contracts or license agreements. The team advises on legal escalation (including litigation) related to commercial agreements, tenders and grants.

Reporting lines:
The incumbent reports to the Head of Team Commercial Law or Corporate Law.

FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

Purpose of the post:
When performed within the Corporate Law Team, the purpose of the post is to assist in any EU and international law [or labour law] matters, e.g. through legal analysis, research and drafting briefings or legal instruments. The incumbent is also expected to handle citizens’ requests for access to documents, including in-house coordination and approval processes.

The role located in the Commercial Law Team provides commercial legal advice and support to Europol on matters related to commercial law. This includes provision of advice to internal clients, liaising with third parties and the reviewing and drafting of commercial documents. S/he will support a broad contractual portfolio including ICT-related services.

The incumbent carries out the following main functions and duties:
- Conduct legal research and analysis of the legislation in force, case-law and EU best practice;
- Provide legal advice on the interpretation of decisions and rules and regulations related to obligations of Europol;
- Produce information and advice addressed to senior management on topics relevant to EU and international law, labour law and/or commercial law;
- Assist in the preparation of Europol’s defence in court and, as for the labour law area, of replies to staff complaints and requests;
- Draft and review legal opinions, internal legal acts, policies, rules and contracts, as applicable;
- Perform any other duties in the area of competence as assigned by line management.

REQUIREMENTS - ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
a. Candidates must
• Be a national of one of the Member States of the European Union and enjoy full rights as a citizen;
• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws on military service;
• Produce appropriate character references as to his or her suitability for the performance of the duties;
• Be physically fit to perform the duties pertaining to the position (prior to appointment the successful candidate will be medically examined by one of the institution’s medical officers in order that the institution may be satisfied that the candidate fulfils the requirements of Article 12(2)(d) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS);
• Produce evidence of a thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the Union and a satisfactory knowledge of another language of the Union to the extent necessary for the performance of the duties.

b. Candidates must have
• A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies in law attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is 3 years or more.

SELECTION CRITERIA
a. Professional experience 
Essential: 
• Experience of preferably at least 2 years in at least one or, preferably, more of the following areas: 
- EU and/or public international law; 
- Administrative/civil service law of the EU or another international organisation, or national employment law;
- Commercial law (e.g. intellectual property rights, contract law, litigation).
• Experience in conducting legal research and analysis;
• Experience in drafting legal rules or instruments. 
Desirable: 
• Experience interpreting, drafting and negotiating contracts;
• Experience in the field of EU police or judicial cooperation;
• Experience of working within an EU institution, body or agency or an international organisation.

b. Professional knowledge 
Essential:  
• Comprehensive knowledge of one or more of the following areas: administrative/civil service law of the EU or another international organisation; EU civil service law or national employment law; commercial law (e.g. intellectual property rights, contract law, litigation);
• Holding a law degree entitling the incumbent to practice law in one of the EU jurisdictions. Candidates are required to indicate in their application form how they meet this requirement.
Desirable:  
• Ability to work in French (at least B2 level for reading comprehension);
• Knowledge of law related to EU police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters.

c. General competencies
Essential:
Communicating:
• Very good communication skills in English, both orally and in writing.
• Very good drafting skills and attention to detail.
Analysing & problem solving:
• Keen eye for detail with the ability to maintain standards of accuracy under pressure of tight deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills including the ability to anticipate potential problems, determine and implement solutions.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) and the internet.
Delivering quality and results:
• High degree of commitment and flexibility.
• High level of customer and service-orientation.
Prioritising and organising:
• Good administrative and organisational skills.
Resilience:
• Ability to work well under pressure, both independently and in a team.
• Very good interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively liaise with other departments, groups and teams as well as with external partners.
Living diversity:
• Ability to work effectively in an international and multi-cultural environment.