HR Legal Officer

Job Requisition ID: 19051

Date Posted: 23 October 2024

Application Deadline: 13 November 2024 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Contract: Fixed-Term

Directorate: Internal Services

Workplace: Paris, FR

Grade Band: A2 - A4

This is a non-renewable post for a limited duration of four years.

Location
ESA Headquarters, Paris, France

Description
HR Legal Officer in the HR Legal Unit, Central Affairs Division, Human Resources Department, Directorate of Internal Services.
Reporting to the Head of the HR Legal Unit, you will provide support in the drafting and interpretation of rules and policies under the responsibility of HR. Your duties will include the preparation of documentation in relation to possible reforms (such as preparatory work for discussions with the Staff Association, proposing amendments to the rules, drafting documents for AFC/Council approval), as well as the provision of legal advice and support in relation to the management of individual cases (drafting of opinions on the interpretation of the rules, drafting of memos and letters, and support for the Legal Department in the event of internal proceedings).

Duties
Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Drafting, updating, and revising legal texts prepared by the Unit, notably Staff Regulations and Rules, Pension Rules, and related Instructions and human resources policies;
• Supporting the development of the Agency’s employment conditions through the drafting of legal opinions, internal memoranda, and articles relating to human resources policies;
• Supporting the consistent application of the Agency’s policies and rules in relation to staff employment conditions, within HR and beyond the service, via the management of individual cases;
• Supporting the Legal Services Department in preparing case files to defend the Agency’s interests in internal legal proceedings;
• Participating and taking minutes in meetings such as Joint Working Groups with the Staff Association and in meetings with other services;
• Carrying out other tasks as requested by the Head of Unit.

Technical competencies
Understanding of the ESA institutional framework, knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects, understanding of the specific processes/procedures of Coordination, understanding of the ESA Staff Rules and Regulations and HR-specific processes and procedures.

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 degree in law is required for this post.

Additional requirements
You should also:

• Preferably have between two and five years of professional experience in the legal practices of international organisations, and have worked in English and/or French during that period;
• Understand HR policies, procedures, and best practices;
• Possess excellent communication skills, oral and written;
• Be capable of developing innovative legal and HR solutions.

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.

Important Information and Disclaimer
In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

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, 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.