23.12.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CA 433/1

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VACANCY NOTICE ECA/2015/JUR

Two lawyer posts (grades AD 8–AD 9)

Legal Service — Presidency

(2015/C 433 A/01)

 

Who we are

The European Court of Auditors is the European Union (EU) institution established by the Treaty to audit EU finances. As the EU’s external auditor, it helps to improve EU financial management and acts as an independent guardian of citizens’ financial interests.

During its audits, the Court looks into the receipt and use of EU funds. It examines whether or not financial transactions have been correctly recorded and disclosed, implemented with due legality and regularity, and managed economically, efficiently and effectively. The Court publishes the results of its audits in clear, relevant and objective reports. It also writes opinions on matters pertaining to financial management.

The Court promotes greater accountability and transparency, and assists the European Parliament and the Council in monitoring the implementation of the EU budget, particularly during the discharge procedure. The Court is committed to working efficiently at the cutting edge of progress in audit and public-sector administration.

The Court is based in Luxembourg.

The Legal Service provides the Court with legal advice and support in all of its activities, including advice in relation to the institution’s powers and prerogatives, any legal issues that may arise from audit activities, and staffing and administrative matters. The Legal Service represents the institution in legal proceedings, in particular before EU courts.

What we are offering

The Court has decided to launch a recruitment procedure for two (2) lawyers (AD 8/9) to join the Legal Service (Presidency), on the basis of Article 29(2) of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union (hereinafter the ‘Staff Regulations’). Aiming to broaden the Appointing Authority’s choice of candidates, this selection procedure will run in parallel with the internal and interinstitutional recruitment procedures.

The basic monthly salary for grades AD 8 and AD 9 (step 1) is 6  350,35 euros and 7  185,01 euros, respectively. Under the conditions laid down in the Staff Regulations, certain allowances may be added to this basic salary, which is subject to EU tax and exempt from national tax.

Under the authority of the Legal Service’s Principal Manager, the lawyer will be responsible for acting as an internal legal advisor, defending the Court’s interests in legal disputes, performing legal tasks such as drafting legal opinions on EU law, assisting the Members and audit chambers in handling legal issues, providing internal legal advice on matters of institutional, administrative and statutory law, representing the Court of Auditors in court and, in the context of internal cooperation, assisting administrative departments with contracts and public procurement.

Recruitment will reflect the needs of the service and will depend on the availability of posts.

What we are looking for

We are looking for dynamic lawyers with at least ten years’ professional experience. Successful candidates must hold a recognised law degree; any other training or additional experience would be considered an asset.

This selection procedure is open to candidates who, on the application deadline, will have:

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a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies, certified by a law degree, when the normal period of study is four years or more, or a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies, certified by a law degree, and at least one year of relevant professional experience when the normal period for such a programme of study is a minimum of three years;

—	thorough knowledge of one EU official language and satisfactory knowledge of at least one other.

A sound knowledge of English and French is essential for operational reasons; knowledge of other languages would be an asset.

Candidates should also be able to demonstrate:

—	at least ten years’ proven professional experience, gained after obtaining the above-mentioned qualification, including at least five years’ experience directly related to the type of legal duties to be carried out;

—	thorough knowledge of EU law and litigation;

—	excellent interpersonal skills and aptitude for written and oral communication;

—	a ‘service culture’ approach, negotiation skills, and a proven ability to meet deadlines, follow instructions and work with stakeholders.

The following would be considered an asset:

—	sound knowledge of banking law (bank restructuring and insolvency, financial instruments, bank mergers and acquisitions) and of the new economic and financial governance tools, including the Single Supervisory Mechanism and the Single Resolution Mechanism;

—	thorough knowledge of the Court’s work and EU public finances;

—	thorough knowledge of civil service law, public procurement and the fight against fraud;

—	good knowledge of/practical experience with mediation procedures.

Recruitment policy

The Court is an equal opportunities employer with a policy of non-discrimination, and welcomes applications from all qualified men and women.

RECRUITMENT CONDITIONS

In accordance with Article 28 of the Staff Regulations, the successful candidate must:

—	be a national of an EU Member State;

—	be entitled to their full rights as a citizen;

—	have fulfilled any obligations imposed on them by the recruitment laws concerning military service;

—	meet the character requirements for the duties involved.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Eligible applications will be examined by a recruitment panel. Following this examination, the top 12 candidates (maximum) will be asked to prepare a case study, which they will then present at an interview.

At the end of this procedure, the panel will draw up a reserve list of the six candidates, ranked by merit, who best fulfil the criteria laid down in this notice.

This list will be valid until 31 December 2017 and may be renewed.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

Applications must be written in English or French and emailed to the following address: vacancies@eca.europa.eu

Please quote the reference of this vacancy notice in the subject line. Applications must be accompanied by the following documents:

—	a letter of motivation (max. one page);

—	an up-to-date CV (max. three pages) in the ‘Europass’ format (see: http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu);

—	the attached formal declaration, duly completed, signed and dated.

Any applications failing to adhere to these instructions will be rejected.

The application deadline is 12.00 midday on 11 January 2016.

Candidates for interview who are not Court staff should note that they will only need to bring along copies or photocopies of the supporting documents relating to their studies, professional experience and current post. These copies will not be returned.

Data protection

In accordance with Article 7(3) of Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data, the Court will process personal data only for the purposes for which they were transmitted.

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(1)  OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1.

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