Legal & Data Protection Officer

JOB CONTEXT & DUTIES

The Organisational Support Unit provides a range of services for the efficient development and implementation of Eurofound’s operations through various planning and management information systems, workflows and management and performance reporting tools. The Unit is also responsible for supporting the Executive Director and staff in areas of legal advice, data protection, document management and internal control.

The duties will require to work on a variety of organisation-wide tasks in good collaboration with colleagues in the Unit as well as with colleagues across the organisation.

The Legal & Data Protection Officer will be based in the Organisational Support Unit and will contribute to the achievement of Eurofound’s objectives by providing legal advice and support on the interpretation and application of the legal framework governing Eurofound’s operational and administrative activities. The successful candidate will also be appointed as the Data Protection Officer overseeing Eurofound’s data protection strategy and implementation in accordance with the applicable Regulation (EU) 2018/1725.

The duties of the post include:

Legal advice and consultation:

Providing input in respect of all legal aspects relevant to the functioning of Eurofound, including on matters related to staff and financial regulations, governance structure, data protection, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and contractual matters including intellectual property rights.

Drafting legal opinions and documents on the application and interpretation of Eurofound’s legal framework as well as any other applicable legal provisions of Union law.

Drafting decisions of the Management Board or other bodies of Eurofound’s governance structure.

Contributing to the preparation and implementation of arrangements with other Union institutions and bodies, and other external partners.

Cooperating with external legal advisors; including those that may represent the Agency in litigation before the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Data Protection:

Informing and advising staff on their obligations pursuant to the Data Protection Regulation.

Preparing and monitoring policies and guidelines on data protection.

Conducting regular assessments.

Maintaining records of all data processing activities

Serving as the point of contact between the Agency and the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS).

General:

Collaborating with staff in achieving compliance with the legal framework and awareness of data protection requirements in the agency’s operations.

Providing training and coaching in regulatory compliance – in collaboration with staff in HR, Internal control and ICT (on AI and cybersecurity).

Representing Eurofound in inter-agency networks on legal matters and data protection.

Other tasks assigned by the Head of Unit.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

The selection procedure is open to candidates who, by the closing date for applications, fulfil the following conditions:

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Citizenship of one of the Member States of the European Union, entitled to full rights as a citizen;

Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the laws concerning military service;

Have a thorough knowledge of one official language of the European Union and a satisfactory knowledge (level B2) of another language of the Union. As English is the daily working language of Eurofound, a high level of proficiency in English (C1) is required to a level necessary for the performance of the duties.

at least a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of the following criteria:

• University degree in law and/or advanced studies in law with a focus on some or all of: Administrative law, EU law and data protection;

• At least three years’ experience in areas of relevance to this role in legal practice or advice and data protection;

• Experience of administrative and routine work and evidence of a clear understanding of the duties that the role of Legal and Data Protection Officer entails, preferably within the framework of EU institutions and bodies.

In addition to the above, candidates who are invited for testing and interview will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

Excellent writing skills;

Excellent verbal communication skills with the ability to explain the practical implications of rules and regulations through different formats supporting organisational learning and compliance;

Excellent digital skills;

Excellent analytical skills;

Ability to manage own workload and adapt as necessary to changing demands and hard deadlines.

Collaborative team player, capable of working autonomously when necessary;

Ability to work effectively in an international or multicultural environment;

Proof of meeting eligibility criteria - by means of appropriate documents (copies of educational certificates, references from employers, etc.) - must be provided if requested.

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