Legal Expert, Brussels

• Function title: Legal Expert
• Reference: NOC-DG-2026-AD/1121
• Location: Brussels
• The selected candidate must reside either at this location or within a reasonable proximity that allows for the satisfactory execution of their duties.
• Information about living in Brussels
• Nature of competition: Internal and external competition
• Applicable regulations: Staff regulations governing officials of the EUROCONTROL Agency
• Type of post: Administrator
• Job level: AD6-AD9 - Check salary simulations for the basic grade
• Generic job title: Expert
• Number of posts: 2
• Duration of appointment: 5 Year(s) - renewal or conversion of the contract is possible under certain conditions see “Useful information” section
• Security clearance: EUROCONTROL, NATO or EU Secret
• Directorate/Service: DG/JUR - Legal Service
• Working arrangement: EUROCONTROL operates a hybrid working model that combines onsite presence with remote work opportunities. Remote working is subject to specific limits set out in internal rules and must align with business needs and managerial approval. Please note that full-time remote work is not permitted.
• Competition publication date: 18/06/2026
• Competition closing date: 16/07/2026 (23:59 Brussels time)
• Reserve list: Applicable - See details in the \"Useful information\" section

  Your team

  Within the Office of the Director General, the Legal Service is responsible to provide legal counsel and institutional advice in relation to the activities of the Agency and of the Organisation. It deals with internal and international law matters and plays a key role in ensuring legal compliance with the Organisation's legal framework and representing EUROCONTROL in legal matters.

  The Legal Expert provides legal advice, expertise, counsel and guidance in relation to the activities of the Agency and of the Organisation. The role includes analysing and making recommendations on legal and institutional matters, drafting and reviewing legal documents, supporting dispute resolution, conducting legal research, and participating in managing legal risks and facilitating decision-making.

  Your role

  Your role will be to:

• Provide legal advice, expertise, guidance and contributions on various legal and institutional matters concerning the Organisation’s legal framework (on internal law matters under the Staff, Financial and Contract Regulations and their Rules of application as well as on international law matters (e.g. agreements, enforced recovery of air navigation charges, etc.)).

Perform legal research and analysis in areas such as administrative law, public international law (incl. institutional aspects), EU law where appropriate, and other relevant legal domains, on both procedural and substantive aspects, and provide summarised findings and recommendations. Support the resolution of legal disputes and contentious matters, including cases before national courts of law and staff complaints before the International Labour Organisation’s Administrative Tribunal (ILOAT). Contribute to the drafting, review, and preparation of legal documents, while mitigating potential legal risks. Collaborate with internal (including senior management) and external stakeholders to provide legal and institutional advice (both orally and in writing) and support, ensuring compliance with the Organisation’s legal framework, rules and standards across various projects and activities, while analysing legal risks and providing recommendations to support decision-making processes. Participate in meetings as required, providing expert legal advice and protecting the organisation’s interests. Stay updated on legal developments, trends, and best practices to continually enhance legal expertise and contribute to the Organisation’s knowledge base. Carry out any other task in line with the main purpose of the job.

Required qualifications, experience & competencies

Completion of third level studies in Law, meeting European Qualifications Framework (EQF) level 7, followed by a minimum of 3 years of relevant working experience, ideally gained in an international organisation, governmental agency, law firm or aviation industry. Internal candidates can check on the intranet to see what level of in-house experience is considered equivalent to educational qualifications where appropriate. A post graduate degree in specific fields of law (e.g. civil servants’ law, labour law, international law, aviation law, EU law, data privacy, AI or cybersecurity law) and/or admission to practice law in any of the jurisdictions of the EUROCONTROL Member States would be an advantage. Experience in drafting legal documents in English. Experience in drafting legal documents in French would be an asset. One or more of the following would be an asset: Knowledge and understanding of public international law, aviation law and European law. Understanding of developments in Aviation/ATM in Europe. Knowledge of emerging legal fields such as data privacy, AI and cybersecurity law Analytical thinking: You analyse information and are able to identify relationships. Quality focus: You set and foster high quality standards. Communication: You are able to foster two-way communication. Influencing: You tailor your style and approach to influence others. Teamwork: You foster teamwork. High sense of diplomacy, integrity and confidentiality. Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment. Professional conduct in line with the corporate behaviours of the Agency, i.e. result-driven, readiness to change, customer focus, integrity and team-player approach. The working languages of the Agency are English and French. For this particular job, candidates must be proficient users of English at level C1 (both orally and written) and independent users of French at level B1.
The levels relate to the European-framework-reference Common European Framework of References for languages (CEFR).

Useful information

Applications will be accepted from nationals of EUROCONTROL Member States only. The selected candidate may be required to provide documentary evidence confirming they meet the minimum education requirements. They will be informed if and when specific evidence is needed. Please note that no offer (for external candidates) or appointment (for internal candidates) will be made until the necessary evidence, if required, is validated. The selected candidate will be appointed in accordance with the provisions of the Staff regulations governing officials of the EUROCONTROL Agency. Conditions depending on current type of engagement
Internal staff appointed for a determined period Retain their current type of appointment duration. Continue under their existing appointment duration, as appointment durations are not cumulative. The duration of their appointment will therefore not restart upon selection to the new post, i.e. the remaining duration of their current determined appointment continues to apply. Renewal(s): This appointment may be renewed several times, but its total duration, including all renewal periods, may not exceed nine (9) years. Conversion: Conversion to an undetermined duration appointment is possible where all of the following cumulative conditions are met: the post is confirmed as being of a lasting nature; the staff member has completed at least five years of service; the staff member’s performance has been satisfactory; and the conversion is in the interests of the service. Conversion is therefore not automatic. Internal staff appointed for an undetermined period Retain their current type of appointment duration. At the end of the 5 Year period of the post for which they were selected: If the assignment is extended, they will continue in the post in accordance with the applicable rules. If the assignment is not extended and/or the duties are not confirmed as being of a lasting nature, they will be transferred to another post corresponding to their “previous” type of post, job level, and function group. The selected candidate must successfully complete a probationary period of nine (9) months before being established in the post. The selected candidate shall be appointed at the grade set out in this vacancy notice, or if a group of grades has been published for a job level, in principle at the basic grade of the published job level. Candidates declared suitable who are not selected for the post will be placed on a reserve list for similar roles. The reserve list will be valid for one year from the closing date of applications. Information on salary and benefits can be found on our Careers site EUROCONTROL is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to equality and diversity. In the event of equal merit, preference may be given to the applicant from the under-represented diversity characteristics in order to complement diversity of teams and rebalance the workforce. Candidates should go to our Careers site and read the tips on how to apply.