Vacancy details
1. EUSPA AND THE HIRING DEPARTMENT
The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) provides safe, secure, and innovative satellite navigation and communication services for Europe. We advance the commercialisation of Galileo, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), and Copernicus data and services, while engaging in secure SATCOM (GOVSATCOM & IRIS²), and operating the Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) Front-Desk. Our work strengthens European autonomy in space technologies, fosters innovation, and supports critical sectors such as transport, agriculture, and economic development across the EU. For more information on the EUSPA and the EU Space Programme, click here.
At EUSPA, we aim for our workforce to be representative of European society and strongly welcome applications from all qualified candidates. We actively seek to create a workplace where each staff member feels valued and respected, can give their best and can develop to their full potential. We believe that diversity drives excellence, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to our shared mission.
To promote diversity and establish a geographically balanced pool of candidates, we strongly encourage applicants from Member States which are lesser represented in the Agency workforce to apply. These Member States are currently Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia and Sweden. Recruitment will however remain strictly based on the merits of all applicants and no advantage will be given and no positions will be reserved for nationals of any specific Member State.
The Legal and Procurement Department steers the legal dimension and ensures the overall follow-up of all EUSPA legal activities and provides legal advice on all EUSPA policies. The department assists all other departments in contract preparation, negotiation and interpretation and manages all procurements, contracts, grants and other agreements. It also oversees the protection of personal data and ensures compliance with relevant legislation.
The position requires permanent relocation to the Agency’s headquarters in the heart of Europe – Prague – a location with excellent connections to numerous major European cities. The capital of the Czech Republic, located on the banks of the Vltava River, is famous for its cultural life, renowned musical life, historic buildings, magical bridges, and recognised museums and monuments.
2. TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We are looking for a Senior Legal and Procurement Officer who will support the Agency in implementation and coordination of a broad range of legal tasks pertaining to both administrative and operational activities. The job holder will, among other tasks, handle the entire life-cycle of procurements, grants and contract management and provide legal advice to the preparation of the implementation of the regulatory tasks entrusted to the Agency (such as EU Space Act).
The jobholder will be entrusted with the following main tasks and responsibilities:
1. Legal advice
- Provide legal advice on operations and administration of the Agency;
- Advise on the regulatory framework of the Agency and interinstitutional aspects of the activities entrusted to the Agency;
- Identify legal issues associated with EUSPA’s activities to prevent the Agency incurring legal risks and develop solutions;
- Advise on issues potentially giving rise to litigation, provide legal advice and manage litigation cases at administrative and judicial level, as well as support the representation of EUSPA before local courts and the European Court of Justice;
- Contribute to the identification, assessment and management of potential risks associated with EUSPA legal, procurement and contract management activities;
- Provide advice on legal aspects concerning the application of EU public procurement rules to ongoing and future tenders and grants / prizes of the Agency;
- Advise on staff matters, interpretation/drafting of legal instruments.
2. Procurement
- Draft calls for tenders in line with standard best practices;
- Coordinate and manage calls for tenders (e.g. publication, organisation of and assistance to evaluation boards, selection process, contract award and signature);
- Collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including the finance department, project officers, economic operators, auditors, European Space Agency and European Commission stakeholders;
- Support the structuring, procurement and execution of public private partnerships, concession contracts.
3. Contract drafting and management
- Draft and negotiate contracts including contracts of higher complexity and sensitivity;
- Follow up on contract interpretation, implementation, performance and enforcement, and coordinate the further development and improvement of consistent practices on contract management in the Agency;
- Assist project officers with contract lifecycle related issues;
- Support the establishment and maintenance of an up-to-date database of tenders, contractual and other legal commitments.
4. Support the implementation of any other tasks falling under responsibility of the Legal and Procurement Department, as well as liaise with other departments, notably in the area of Administration and Operations, to ensure the execution of related corporate tasks, such as planning, reporting, administration, financial and budget management, risk management.
3. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
We welcome applications from all candidates who meet the following eligibility criteria, on the closing date for application:
- Have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies5 attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is four years or more
OR
A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma and at least one year of appropriate professional experience when the normal period of university education is three years - In addition to the above, appropriate professional experience6 of at least six years after obtaining the required diploma
- Be a national of a Member State of the European Union, Iceland or Norway
- Be entitled to their full rights as a citizen
- Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws concerning military service
- Meet the character requirements for the duties involved7
- Have a thorough knowledge (minimum C1 level) of one of the languages of the European Union8 and a satisfactory knowledge (minimum B2 level) of another language of the European Union8
- Be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post9
Temporary agents (2f) from EUSPA and other EU agencies are also invited to apply in accordance with the following EUSPA rules:
https://www.euspa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-04/conditions_of_employment_of_temporary_staff_ta.pdf. The grade bracket applicable for internal and inter-agency mobility is AD7 – AD8.
[5] Only study titles that have been awarded in EU Member States or that are subject to the equivalence certificates issued by the authorities in the said Member States shall be taken into consideration. Qualifications/diplomas awarded in the United Kingdom until 31/12/2020 are accepted without further recognition. For diplomas awarded in the United Kingdom after this date (from 01/01/2021), a NARIC recognition is required: https://www.enic-naric.net/.
[6] Only appropriate professional experience acquired after achieving the minimum qualification stated in point.1 shall be considered. Where additional periods of training and study are accompanied by periods of professional activity, only the latter shall be considered as professional experience. Compulsory military service or equivalent civilian service accomplished after achieving the minimum qualification stated in point.1 shall be taken into consideration. Internships will be taken into consideration, if they are paid. Professional activities pursued part-time shall be calculated pro rata, on the basis of the percentage of full-time hours worked. A given period may be counted only once.
[7] Prior to the appointment, the successful candidate will be asked to provide a Police certificate confirming the absence of any criminal record.
[8] The languages of the EU are: Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Swedish. The level shall be determined according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
[9] Before a successful candidate can be appointed, they will be medically examined by a selected medical service so that the Agency will be satisfied that they fulfill the requirement of Article 28(e) of the Staff Regulation of Officials of the European Union.
4. SELECTION CRITERIA
All eligible applications that meet the criteria outlined above will be fairly and objectively assessed against the selection criteria based solely on the information candidates provide in their applications. The Selection Board responsible for this selection will determine the criteria to be assessed in the various phases of the selection procedure (assessment of the application forms, interview and written test) prior to being granted access to the names of the applicants.
The selection is based on a comparative assessment of eligible candidates against all the selection criteria. Even candidates who do not excel in every single criterion may still be successful in the overall assessment and are therefore encouraged to apply.
When completing the online application, please clearly highlight your relevant skills and experiences that demonstrate how your profile aligns with the requirements below.
Professional experience and expertise
- University degree in law;
- Experience in legal practice and in provision of legal advice and legal opinions related to procurements and contracts;
- Experience in drafting and negotiating contracts, with particular reference to concession contracts, turn key contracts for infrastructural projects, investment agreements, consortium agreements and contracts entailing project financing;
- Experience in public procurement and in managing procurement procedures of high value / high complexity including concession and public private partnership;
- Good knowledge (by training or experience) of the EU institutional and regulatory framework, or similar, in particular the Financial Regulation and Staff Regulations;
- Excellent command of both written and spoken English;
Required competencies
- Motivation for the post;
- Effective communication;
- Transversal collaboration and working in teams;
- Results orientation, prioritising and organising;
- Ability to deliver assigned work under tight deadlines;
- Sense of confidentiality and professional integrity.
We warmly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, experiences, and identities to apply. Your unique perspective and talents are valued and essential to our success.
5. SELECTION PROCEDURE
The current vacancy aims to establish a reserve list. The established reserve list may be used for another current or future site of the Agency.
A detailed description of the selection process is available here.
The interview and written test are currently scheduled for March/April 2026; however the date may be adjusted based on the availability of the Selection Board members.
To ensure a fair and transparent process for all candidates, direct or indirect contact with Selection Board members is not permitted. Any breach of this rule will result in disqualification from the selection procedure. Any questions regarding the selection procedure should be addressed only to: jobs@euspa.europa.eu.
In addition, candidates having any personal relationship within the EUSPA shall declare such situation to jobs@euspa.europa.eu.
6. APPLICATION PROCEDURE
To apply for this position, candidates need to create an account and register through the EUSPA e-recruitment tool.
Please note that only applications submitted via the e-recruitment tool will be accepted. Applications sent by email or post cannot be considered.
To ensure fairness, submitting multiple applications for the same position using different accounts will result in exclusion from the selection procedure.
Important: The information you provide in your online application is the sole basis for assessing your eligibility and matching your profile to the selection criteria. We encourage you to carefully review the requirements and provide detailed, clear information — especially regarding your education and professional experience. Include exact dates, descriptions of your responsibilities, and duties performed to help us understand your qualifications and experience fully. It is your responsibility to complete the application accurately and thoroughly, avoiding any unclear information or typographical errors.
To facilitate the selection process, please complete all sections of the application in English.
Applications must be received by the closing date specified in the vacancy notice to be considered. We recommend submitting your application well before the deadline to avoid any technical issues, as the Agency cannot be held responsible for last-minute problems with the e-recruitment tool, especially during periods of high traffic.
If you require technical support, please send your request to jobs@euspa.europa.eu at least two working days before the application deadline. Requests received later may not be addressed in time.
For detailed instructions on completing your application, please consult the e-recruitment guideline.
If you have any questions about the selection procedure, feel free to contact us at jobs@euspa.europa.eu. We are here to support you throughout the process.
7. APPEAL PROCEDURE
If a candidate considers that they have been adversely affected by a particular decision, they can lodge a complaint under Article 90(2) of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union and Conditions of employment of other servants of the European Union; submit a judicial appeal under Article 270 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (ex Art. 236 of the EC Treaty) and Article 91 of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union; or make a complaint to the European Ombudsman.
Details on how to initiate these processes are available here.
8. SUMMARY OF CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
FINANCIAL ENTITLEMENTS
The remuneration includes a basic monthly salary10 along with any applicable additional allowances11 as well as reimbursements12 for eligible expenses upon submission of evidence.
The total of your basic salary and any allowances is adjusted according to a correction coefficient based on the location of the post13.The sum of standard social security deductions from salary at source is subtracted from the weighted amount14. Please note that while the full pay is exempt from national income tax, it is subject to internal income tax and a solidarity levy as per applicable regulations15.
We ensure transparency and fairness in our compensation, supporting all employees equitably (zero pay gap).
Examples of net monthly salaries (as currently applicable in the Czech Republic are presented below):
| AD 7 - Step 1 (less than 9 years of work experience after the relevant diploma)16 | ||
| a) Minimum final net salary (without any allowances) | b) Final net salary with expatriation allowance | c) Final net salary with expatriation, household and 1 dependent child allowance |
| 5,369.81 EUR | 6,519.11 EUR | 7,674.28 EUR |
| AD 7 - Step 2 (9 or more years of work experience after the relevant diploma)16 | ||
| a) Minimum final net salary (without any allowances) | b) Final net salary with expatriation allowance | c) Final net salary with expatriation, household and 1 dependent child allowance |
| 5,564.76 EUR | 6,762.36 EUR | 7,935.05 EUR |
WORKING CONDITIONS AND BENEFITS
Discover our comprehensive welfare package designed to support your well-being and career growth. It includes generous leave entitlements, social security benefits, and professional development opportunities—all thoughtfully designed to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance. Learn more about how we invest in our people here.
INTERNAL AND INTERAGENCY MOBILITY
Please note that in case the selected candidate can benefit from the internal or interagency mobility, a contract of employment will be concluded in accordance with the applicable EUSPA rules.
[10] As per Articles 92 and 93 CEOS.
[11] Household allowance (e.g. if you have a dependent child or you are married and your spouse's income is below a defined threshold); Dependent child allowance (e.g. if you have a child under the age of 18 or between 18 and 26, if in specified training programme); Education allowances (in very specific cases) or Payment of the education fees applicable to the educational institutions EUSPA has an agreement with (currently more than 18 international schools in the Czech Republic and Spain, and European Schools in France and in the Netherlands); Expatriation allowance (16% of the sum of basic salary and other applicable allowances).
[12] If the staff member is requested to change the residence in order to take up duties, they will be entitled to: reimbursement of the travel costs; temporary daily subsistence allowance (EUR 55.40 for up to 10 months, with dependents; or EUR 44.68 for up to 120 days, if no dependents); installation allowance (depending on the personal situation, 1 or 2 months of the basic salary – paid upon successful completion of the nine-month probationary period).
[13] Currently correction coefficients for the EUSPA duty locations are: 91,2% for CZ, 113,6% for FR, 113,2% for NL, 92,4% for ES. The coefficient is updated every year, with retroactive effect from 1 July.
[14] Pension (12.10%); health insurance (1.70%); accident cover (0.10%); unemployment insurance (0.51%).
[15] Currently: income tax: tax levied progressively at a rate of between 8% and 45% of the taxable portion of the salary; solidarity levy: 6%.
[16] Kindly note that the numbers in examples b) and c) are indicative and net monthly remuneration varies depending on the personal, life and social situation of the incumbent. The various components of the remuneration are updated every year, with retroactive effect from 1 July.
9. COMMITMENT
Commitment to Serving the Public Interest with Integrity
All jobholders will be asked to affirm their commitment to act independently and in the public interest. They will also be required to declare any potential conflicts of interest that could affect their impartiality.
In carrying out their duties, jobholders are expected to act solely in the interests of the European Union, maintaining objectivity, impartiality, and loyalty. They must not seek or accept instructions from any external government, authority, organisation, or individual outside their institution.
Commitment to Equal Opportunities
The Agency is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and warmly welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, free from discrimination. We believe that diversity enriches our work and strengthens our mission to serve the European Union effectively.
10. DATA PROTECTION
The personal data requested from applicants will be processed in line with Regulation (EU) N° 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, officers and agencies and on the free movement of such data (repealing Regulation (EC) N° 45/2001 and Decision N° 1247/2002/EC) and the applicable privacy statement which can be accessed here.