EFTA Surveillance Authority

ESA 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.

EFTA surveillance authority logo

Opportunities for students and graduates: Junior Professional Programme (8 posts).

Our most important areas of work

  • International work

  • Energy

  • HR, recruitment

  • Economics, finance

  • Communication

  • Case management

  • Law

Educational backgrounds we are looking for

  • Social sciences and psychology

  • Law, economy, management and administration

More about EFTA Surveillance Authority

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. Times of crisis remind us that certain rights and freedoms cannot be taken for granted.

Indeed, it is important that individuals across the EEA know about the impact of the EEA Agreement on their lives. Three decades ago, the right to work and study abroad, as well as the freedom to establish businesses or access health services in other European countries, did not exist in the EEA EFTA States.

Since then, these rights have become engrained in daily life in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. This is the silent success of the EEA Agreement. ESA has made an important contribution to this success, holding States accountable when needed. And we remain fully committed to protecting the EEA Agreement, ensuring that individuals and businesses can continue to enjoy their rights.

For ESA to fulfil its mandate, good cooperation with a broad range of stakeholder is key, including with the EEA EFTA States, the European Commission and the EU agencies. Together, we put the common values enshrined in the EEA Agreement into practice and increase our resilience. This is how we succeeded in the past three decades, and this is how we will succeed for decades to come.

How to improve your chances of working with us

  • Applicants must be nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway.
  • Applicants should be young professionals with a university degree in a relevant field or final-year students who expect to complete all exams and submit their thesis prior to 1 September 2024. - An interest or specialisation in EU/EEA matters.
  • An excellent command of written and spoken English, the working language of ESA
  • We are looking for candidates who are engaged, proactive and independent, whilst at the same time being strong team players
  • You should be accurate, well-organised and proactive in your work
  • ESA organises an annual EEA Law Moot Court in collaboration with Universities in Iceland and Norway

Further details can be found on our website.

This is what is it like to be newly hired in our company

A cohort of Junior Professionals joins ESA every September on an 11-month programme. We provide an onboarding process to get you up to speed on how ESA works and ongoing support from the manager and buddy throughout the programme.

The Junior Professionals play an active role in the daily work of the different departments, gaining invaluable hands-on experience by working closely with our dedicated staff.

They get to know the workings of other EEA and EU institutions and participate in important meetings with national authorities in the EEA EFTA States. In addition, they have the opportunity to live and work in a thriving multicultural environment in Brussels and enjoy a generous package and benefits.

The Junior Professional Programme at ESA is a paid position, and the Junior Professionals receive:

  • A monthly allowance - Furnished and private accommodation in Brussels
  • Utility and internet costs covered, and mobile phone provided
  • Health, life and invalidity and travel insurance cover - Reimbursement of travel costs upon taking up and leaving the Programme
  • An allowance for language training costs

Qualifications

How important are these qualifications when assessing candidates (on a scale from 1-5)?

  • Norwegian language: 5
  • English language: 5
  • Grades: 3

Find out more about us

  • Further information on careers at ESA can be found at here

  • Further questions regarding the Junior Professional Programme may, in the first instance, be addressed to:

    • Emma Thomas, HR Officer: eth@eftasurv.int or +32 (0)2 286 18 70 or

    • Aida Mansour, HR Coordinator,+32 2 286 18 07, Aida.Mansour@eftasurv.int