The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is an intergovernmental organisation working for the promotion of free trade and economic integration to the benefit of its four Member States: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
The EFTA Secretariat provides services to the EFTA States and has offices in Geneva, Brussels, and Luxembourg. The Headquarters in Geneva services the EFTA Council and supplies services for policy development, negotiations, and implementation of free trade and cooperation agreements with countries outside the European Union. The Brussels office supports the management of the EEA Agreement and assists the Member States in the elaboration of input to EU decision making. EFTA’s Luxembourg office contributes to the development of the European Statistical system.
EFTA has established preferential trade relations – primarily in the form of free trade agreements and joint declarations on cooperation – with more than 40 countries and territories outside the EU and is continuing to develop this worldwide network. Regular travels are part of the role.
This position is open to nationals of the EFTA Member States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland).
Division: Trade Relations Division
Location: Geneva
Category/Level: A4
Duration of Appointment: Fixed term 3 years. If considered desirable and in the organisation’s interest, an additional three-year contract may be offered.
Start Date: 1 June 2025
Closing Date: 31-01-2025
Job Reference: VA 18_2024
Role Description
The advertised position is placed in the Trade Relations Division of the EFTA Secretariat in Geneva, consisting of a tightly knit team of 12 staff members. The Division provides comprehensive services to Member States related to the exploration, negotiation, administration, and modernisation of EFTA’s preferential trade relations.
The successful candidate will have substantive, analytical, and organisational responsibilities in support of EFTA’s engagement with partner countries outside the European Union. Her/his specific area of responsibility will centre on issues pertaining to legal and institutional matters including dispute settlement, trade remedies, and competition in EFTA free trade agreements as well as the legal review of agreements concluded or modernised. The position will also extend to a range of other trade policy questions, e.g. the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) or other fields covered by EFTA’s comprehensive free trade agreements and country desk responsibilities (coordination of EFTA’s preferential trade relations with several partner countries). Depending on the candidate’s profile, the position offered may also involve work related to EFTA’s internal policy on data protection.
Essential Skills
* Relevant master’s university degree, preferably with a specialisation in international legal and/or economic issues and/or IPR;
* Expertise in international trade policy and rules, with sound knowledge of relevant international legal frameworks, particularly of the WTO;
* Specific know-how in relation to legal and institutional issues and IPR in trade agreements would be an asset;
* Relevant work experience in a national administration, international organisation, and/or related research or private sector activity, preferably involving international relations;
* Excellent oral and written command of English, the EFTA working language;
* Service-mindedness and tact;
* Very good communication and negotiation skills;
* Ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines;
* Strong organisational skills, proactivity, and self-reliance;
* Readiness to cooperate closely in an international team as well as with partner countries and Member States.
Ideal Skills
* Sound knowledge in the field of international trade policy and rules and the relevant international legal frameworks, particularly of the WTO, OECD, WIPO, and WCO;
* Knowledge of French, and possibly other work-related languages, would be an asset.
* Familiarity with international data protection laws and regulations, particularly the GDPR, would be an additional benefit.
#J-18808-Ljbffr