Head of Legal Unit (Internal for eu-LISA staff only) - European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems (AD10, Tallinn)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Lead and manage the Legal Unit, fostering a high-performance culture based on engagement, empowerment, and accountability
• Lead Agency's legal function, ensuring alignment with its mandate, objectives and values
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks, ensuring timely escalation and informed decision-making
• Act as a strategic advisor to senior management, supporting sound decision-making
• Strengthen corporate governance and decision-making processes
• Provide legal advice on the interpretation and application of the Agency's legal framework
• Ensure compliance with applicable EU law, including emerging regulatory frameworks
• Represent the Agency in judicial and administrative proceedings

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: University degree in the field of law
• Experience: Extensive experience similar to the duties outlined, preferably in an international or EU institutional context; at least two (2) years of post-graduate management experience relevant to the position, with sound evidence of staff management, budget responsibility, and organisational impact
• Languages: English (C1)
• Key skills: Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams, Ability to shape strategic direction and vision for the Legal Unit, Strong drafting and communication skills, Strong communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders, Business-partnering approach, Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, Ability to anticipate and manage legal risks, Good understanding of complex institutional and stakeholder environments
• Eligibility: Engaged within eu-LISA as Temporary Staff 2(f) in function group AD, grade 9-14, on the closing date for applications and on the day of filling the post; appropriate character requirements for the duties involved; SECRET UE/EU SECRET security clearance level

Selection process

The notice describes the following selection steps:

• Application submission via e-recruitment platform
• Pre-screening questions
• Assessment against selection criteria
• Final stage with request for documentary evidence

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Temporary Staff.

Working arrangements: Hybrid working arrangements – Permanent relocation required; Place of Employment: Tallinn (Estonia).

Hiring unit: Legal Unit.

Position details

Reference

229

Last Verified

7 August 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Head of Legal Unit (Internal for eu-LISA staff only) at eu-LISA based in Tallinn at the AD10 grade level (Temporary Agent). The vacancy reference is 229.

About the unit

The Legal Unit delivers comprehensive legal counsel services and oversees all legal matters to ensure

compliance with the applicable regulatory framework , while safeguarding the Agency's interests and reputation

as a trusted and reliable partner.

In this role, the Unit provides high -quality legal expertise across a broad range of areas , including staff matters,

complaints and disciplinary proceedings, procurement and contract matters (including legal due diligence) , public

access to documents while review ing legal documents and agreements. It also advises on compliance with EU

law, including emerging frameworks such as the Artificial Intelligence Act, and the operational and regulatory

aspects of the EU’s Justice and Home Affairs information systems.

The Unit further contributes by drafting legal acts, decisions, and agreement, managing complaints and inquiries,

and representing the Agency in legal proceedings before the EU or national courts , in coordination with relevant

stakeholders . It also supports the Agency’s document management framework and monitors legal developments

and case law to mitigate legal and reputational risks.

About the job

As Head of the Legal Unit, report ing to the Deputy Executive Director and serving as a member of the

organisation’s management team , you will play a pivotal strategic and operational leadership role in ensuring that

the Agency’s activities comply with its legal obligations. You will ensure that legal services are aligned with

organisational priorities, supporting the Agency’s operational excellence and long -term transformation.

> 1Date of publication: 07 August 202 6

Unit Legal Unit

Grade bracket AD 9-AD14 (Temporary Staff)

Place of Employment Tallinn (Estonia)

Working model Hybrid working arrangements – Permanent relocation required

Level of Security Clearance SECRET UE/EU SECRET

Deadline for Application 05 October 2026 1 12:59 pm Tallinn time / 11:59 am Strasbourg

time

INTERNAL VACANCY NOTICE –

Head of Legal Unit (AD 9-AD14 )

Ref. eu -LISA/26/TA/AD9 -AD14/10.2 2

> European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large -Scale > IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice > Vesilennuki 5, 10415 Tallinn, Estonia

www.eulisa.europa.eu

In this capacity, you will position legal services as a key enabler of the Agency’s mandate, driving efficiency,

innovation, and high -quality , while strengthening the organisation’s ability to respond effectively to stakeholder

needs.

Your tasks will include a wide range of responsibilities that extend beyond the following list:

• Lead and manage the Legal Unit , fostering a high -performance culture based on engagement,

empowerment, and accountabilit y, while ensuring effective staff development through regular feedback,

coaching, and mentoring.

• Lead Agency’s legal function , ensuring alignment with its mandate , objectives and values, and

establishing clear governance, accountability and quality standards across all legal processes .

• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks , ensuring timely escalation and informed decision -making by

senior management, and promoting a proactive, risk -based approach across the organisation.

• Act as a strategic advisor to senior management , supporting sound decision -making and ensuring legally

robust interactions with institutional counterparts (e.g. EU institutions, Member States ), and external

stakeholders.

• Strengthen corporate governance and decision -making processes , including support to the Executive

Director and Management Board, ensuring compliance with applicable legal and procedural

requirements.

• Provide legal advice on the interpretation and application of the Agency’s legal framework and on its

regulatory and operational activities, including procurement, staff and administrative matters, and the

legal aspects of large -scale Justice and Home Affairs information systems, ensuring consistency and

legal robustness.

• Ensure compliance with applicable EU law, including emerging regulatory frameworks (e.g. the Artificial

Intelligence Act), and monitor legal developments, case law, and guidance from oversight bodies to

anticipate risks and advise on their impact.

• Represent the Agency in judicial and administrative proceedings , including before the Court of Justice of

the European Union, and oversee disputes, complaints, and pre -litigation procedures in coordination with

relevant stakeholders.

• Oversee transparency and accountability frameworks, including public access to documents, and

contribute to the governance of the Agency’s document management function.

• Drive the continuous improvement and digitalisation of legal services, enhancing efficiency, consistency,

and responsiveness to organisational needs.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for recruitment and selection , you need to meet the following formal criteria, which need to be

fulfilled by the deadline for applications:

General conditions

1. You produce the appropriate character requirements for the duties involved; 3

> European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large -Scale > IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice > Vesilennuki 5, 10415 Tallinn, Estonia

www.eulisa.europa.eu

2. You are engaged within eu -LISA as Temporary Staff 2(f) in function group AD, grade 9 -14, on the

closing date for applications and on the day of filling the post

Selection criteria

The suitability of candidates will be assessed against the following criteria during different stages of the selection

procedur e:

Leadership abilities

1. Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams, fostering a positive and engaging working culture

and translating this into a clear mission , objectives and a strong organisational commitment.

2. Ability to shape the strategic direction and vision for the Legal Unit, promoting innovation, efficiency, and

forward -looking legal support and guide the unit through change and evolving priorities .

3. At least t wo (2) years of post -graduate management experience relevant to the position, with sound

evidence of staff management, budget responsibility, and organisational impact 2.

Experience and knowledge

4. Extensive experience similar to the duties outlined in the section “About the job”, preferably in an

international or EU institutional context .

Education

5. University degree in the field of law.

Language

6. Strong drafting and communication skills in English, both orally and in writing, at least at the C1 3 level.

Soft Skills

7. Ability to act upon eu -LISA’s values and guiding principles (We get the job done - We take ownership -

We are all role models - We act together as one) .

8. Strong communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and contribute to sound, solution -

oriented decision -making across the organisation .

9. Embed a business -partnering approach, ensuring early involvement and delivery of pragmatic legal

support aligned with operational needs .

> 2Candidates should clearly indicate for all years during which the management experience has been acquired: (1) title and role of > management positions held; (2) numbers of staff overseen in these positions; (3) the size of budgets managed; (4) numbers of > hi erarchical layers above and below; and (5) number of peers. > 3Cf. Language levels of the Common European Framework of reference: http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/resources/european - > language -levels -cefr 4 > European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large -Scale > IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice > Vesilennuki 5, 10415 Tallinn, Estonia

www.eulisa.europa.eu

10. Strong analytical and problem -solving skills, with the ability to anticipate and manage legal risks, exercise

sound judgement, and take timely, well -founded decisions under pressure and competing priorities.

Advantageous

11. Good understanding of complex institutional and stakeholder environments, with the ability to navigate

governance frameworks at national and European level.

Application process and next steps

Ready to join us in building a safer Europe? Apply now!

Before submitting your application, you should carefully check whether you meet all eligibility requirements. 5

> European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large -Scale > IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice > Vesilennuki 5, 10415 Tallinn, Estonia

www.eulisa.europa.eu

Please complete your application form via the e-recruitment platform here . Due to the fact that this is an internal

selection, one must select ‘Internal’ next to the ‘Selection procedure type’ field and click ’Search’ here .

It is in your interest to ensure that your application is accurate, thorough, and truthful. Your application should

contain personal details, educational background, professional experience, language proficiency, motivation

letter, and responses to pre -screening questions , if applicable. Candidates are requested to support their

application with adequate, concise examples of their work experience and qualification, especially if not directly

addressed in the duties listed in the application under professional experience .

Please note that if at any stage of the selection procedure it is established that any of the requested information

provided by a candidate is false, they will be disqualified.

If a candidate reaches the final stage, they will be requested to supply documentary evidence in support of the

statements that they made for this application.

If you encounter any difficulties during the application process or have any further questions, please do not

hesitate to reach out to the Talent Acquisition Service . Feel free to send an email to eulisa -

[email protected] .

Equal Opportunities Employer

As an equal opportunit y employer, we are committed to recruit and value individ

Salary at this grade

Basic monthly salary at AD10 runs from €11,408 (step 1) to €12,907 (top step), giving an annual range of roughly €136,896 to €154,884 before tax and allowances. Steps increase automatically every two years; the figures here are taken from the salary grid in the EU Staff Regulations.

Eligible staff posted away from their country of nationality also receive an expatriation allowance worth 16% of basic salary (around €1,825 per month at step 1 of AD10) together with household, dependent-child, and education allowances where applicable. Take-home pay is then adjusted by the country correction coefficient for Tallinn. For a worked example see our correction coefficients guide and the EU salaries overview.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 7 August 2026, today.

The application deadline is 5 October 2026, 58 days from today. Late applications are not accepted, so submit through the official EU Careers portal well in advance.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 7 August 2026.

Where to learn more

For full responsibilities, requirements, and career progression at AD10 see our AD10 grade page; for headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at eu-LISA see the eu-LISA institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Tallinn see our Tallinn location page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.