Food and Veterinary Auditor

Organisation/Company ESA - EFTA Surveillance Authority Research Field Agricultural sciences Biological sciences » Zoology Biological sciences » Biology Environmental science Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Established Researcher (R3) Application Deadline 4 Oct 2026 - 21:59 (UTC) Country Belgium Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Food and Veterinary Auditor
ESA - EFTA Surveillance Authority
Brussels, Belgium

The EFTA Surveillance Authority

The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) is an international organisation which monitors compliance with the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA Agreement) in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, enabling those States to participate in the Internal Market of the European Union.

ESA's work helps remove barriers to trade and opens up new opportunities to over 450 million Europeans, creating jobs and growth and adding to the international competitiveness of the States.

ESA currently employs staff members of 24 different nationalities from across the EEA. Based in Brussels, ESA is collocated with in the EFTA House with its sister organisations the EFTA Secretariat and the EEA and Norway Grants (FMO).

ESA is led by a College of three members, appointed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. It is divided into the following departments: Administration, Internal Market Affairs Directorate, Competition and State Aid Directorate and Le gal and Executive Affairs Department.

Job Reference: 14/2026

Role Description

ESA is recruiting an officer in the Food and Veterinary Unit (FVU), in the Internal Market Affairs (IMA) Directorate, to work as a veterinary auditor and desk officer in the field of food and feed safety, animal health and welfare. The successful candidate will be assigned responsibilities related to the application of the relevant EEA legislation in Iceland and Norway. The incumbent may also be asked to assist with additional tasks within the unit as needed.

The vacant position is situated in IMA, which is responsible for monitoring the implementation and application of EEA rules relating to the internal market. This includes the free movement of goods, workers, services and capital, as well as horizontal policies such as public procurement, energy, environment, transport and food and veterinary law. In addition, IMA has some management tasks and direct enforcement within the internal market.

ESA is seeking a dynamic, well-qualified, and highly motivated professional with in-depth knowledge of food and/or veterinary matters within the scope of EEA law and sectoral expertise in the required fields. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong analytical and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work independently. The successful applicant should possess the aptitude to guide and support team members in audits.

The successful candidate will:

• Plan, conduct and lead audits in the fields of food and feed safety, animal health and welfare, and prepare high‑quality audit reports with clear recommendations;
• Act as desk officer in the food and veterinary field, assessing compliance issues, preparing documentation and following up on actions with national authorities;
• Apply and interpret relevant EEA legislation, providing well‑reasoned proposals for action and supporting consistent implementation across the EEA EFTA States;
• Cooperate with team members during audits, contributing to a collaborative, professional and learning‑oriented environment;
• Engage effectively with Icelandic and Norwegian authorities and other stakeholders, promoting constructive cooperation and timely follow‑up;
• Contribute to the wider work of the IMA Directorate, coordinating with colleagues and supporting delivery of shared objectives in an international setting.

Additional qualified candidates may also be considered for vacancies foreseen in the Directorate over the next 12-18 months.

Essential Skills and Qualifications

• Veterinary degree or a master’s degree in veterinary science;
• Minimum 3 years’ relevant professional experience;
• Experience in preparing and conducting audits, drafting of audit reports and follow‑up of the results of such audits;
• Experience of leading audit teams and/or other coordination role;
• Knowledge of EEA legislation related to food and feed safety, animal health and welfare;
• Excellent command of written and spoken English (the working language of the Authority);
• Excellent organisational, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills;
• Initiative and the a