198a - Senior Legal Officer

Directorate: Corporate Services Directorate (CSD)

Group: N.A.

Grade: AD9

Level of Security Clearance: SECRET UE/EU SECRET

Management of staff: N.A.

Location: Brussels

Closing date for applications: 26/11/2026

The European Defence Agency (EDA) was established on 12 July 2004, and isgoverned by CouncilDecision (CFSP) 2015/1835 defining the statute, seat and operational rules of the European Defence Agency. The Agency has its headquarters in Brussels.

The main task of EDA is to support the Council and the Member States in their effort to improve the Union's defence capabilities in the field of crisis management and to sustain the Common Security andDefence Policy (CSDP) as it currently stands and as it develops in the future.

The Agency is structured into four directorates. The Corporate Services Directorate (CSD) and three operational directorates:Capability, Armament & Planning (CAP); Procurement, Support, Industry & Interoperability (PSII); Research, Technology & Innovation (RTI).

2. THE AGENCY'S WAY OF WORKING

The Agency is an “outward-facing” organisation, constantly interacting with its shareholders, the Member States, as well as with a wide range of stakeholders. It works in an integrated way, with multi-disciplinary teams representing all of the Agency’s functional areas, to realise its objectives. Its business processes are flexible and oriented towards achieving results. Staff at all levels need to demonstrate the corresponding qualities of commitment, flexibility, innovation, and team-working; to work effectively with shareholders and stakeholder groups, formal and informal; and to operate without the need for detailed direction.

3. THE CORPORATE SERVICES DIRECTORATE (CSD)

The Corporate Services Directorate (CSD) provides critical business support to EDA operations by delivering high-quality corporate services under seven dedicated units, namely: Human Resources, Procurement and Grants Management, Finance, Information Technology, Security, Legal and General Services (encompassing Infrastructure, Records and Data Management).

CSD processes are geared towards efficient and optimal use of resources, leveraging good practice and technological solutions while ensuring sound financial management, transparency and accountability; outward focus and commitment to continuous improvement are the hallmarks of CSD.

4. THE UNIT

The Legal Unit is part of the Corporate Services Directorate and provides legal advice and support to the entire Agency, including senior management, operational directorates and corporate services. It safeguards the legality, coherence, transparency and compliance of the Agency’s activities while enabling timely and effective delivery.

Its remit covers institutional and governance matters; procurement, contracts and collaborative arrangements; legal aspects of innovation, research and technology projects and European Union-funded activities; administrative and staff matters; ethics and conduct; data protection; public access to documents; litigation, complaints and investigations; cooperation with Member States, European Union institutions and third parties; and legal support to ex ante control. The Unit also monitors legal and regulatory developments relevant to the Agency and promotes early identification and mitigation of legal risk.

The Unit is headed by the Head of the Legal Unit and comprises a Senior Legal Officer who acts as Data Protection Officer and deputises for the Head of Unit when required, together with legal officers covering the Unit’s principal areas of responsibility. It is supported by an ex-ante controller and, where appropriate, trainees and external legal expertise. The Unit is structured to ensure specialised legal coverage, continuity of service and effective support across the Agency.

5. DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Head of the Legal Unit, the Senior Legal Officer may also act as Data Protection Officer, deputise for the Head of Unit when needed, and will be responsible for / contribute to the following activities:

• provide authoritative, strategic and risk-based legal advice on collaborative procurement, including the design and implementation of complex and high-value procurement files;
• provide legal and procedural support to the ex-ante controller within the Legal Unit, including on the assessment of procurement and financial files, the identification of legal and compliance risks, and the consistent application of the relevant regulatory and internal control framework;
• support all activity of the Legal Unit related to the preparation and negotiation of third-party agreements, including administrative arrangements, MoU, SLA, etc, by providing comprehensive legal assessments, risk analysis, procedural guidelines