Legal Assistant – AI Act and Privacy - Local Contract

European Partnership; Torrejón de Ardoz; On-site; EUR 325,000 - 389,000; Full time

Job summary

The European Union Satellite Centre (SatCen) in Spain is seeking a Legal Assistant for AI Act and Privacy matters under a local 6‑month contract. The role reports to the Head of Legal Services and involves assisting in AI Act implementation, regulatory compliance, and drafting guidance.

Qualified candidates will have a three-year law degree, EU Law experience, and English at B2 level plus another EU language. Salary is €32,000 per year with 14 prorated payments, located in Torrejón de Ardoz.

Qualifications

• University studies of at least three years in Law.
• Minimum one year of professional EU Law experience.
• Experience with AI Act implementation, compliance, or policy development.
• Knowledge of EU public procurement matters.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Legal Services by providing legal and procurement support for AI Act and Privacy.
• Conduct legal research and analyse issues using existing files and sources.
• Draft legal guidance and training materials on AI Act, Data Protection and related matters.
• Assist in handling contracts, regulatory compliance and other legal tasks.

Skills

EU Law

Legal Research

Analytical Skills

Discretion

Teamwork

Initiative

Communication

Education

Law degree (3+ years)

Master's in EU Law

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

SatCen/2026/018 - Legal Assistant – AI Act and Privacy - Local Contract OPEN Deadline: 03/11/2026 16:00 (Local Time Europe/Madrid)

Reference SatCen/2026/018

Vacancy title Legal Assistant – AI Act and Privacy - Local Contract

Type of contract LOCAL

Duration of contract 6 months

Work Unit Director Office

Reporting to Head of Legal Services

Basic Salary € 32,000.00 (14 prorated payments in 12 monthly payments), subject to Spanish income tax and social security costs

THE EUROPEAN UNION SATELLITE CENTRE

The European Union Satellite Centre (SatCen) supports the decision making and actions of the European Union in the field of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), in particular the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) — including EU crisis management missions and operations — by providing products and services derived from the exploitation of relevant space assets and collateral data, including satellite and aerial imagery, and related services.

SatCen is a decentralised agency of the European Union working under the supervision of the Political and Security Committee and the operational direction of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The Centre was founded in 1992 as a Western European Union body and was incorporated as an EU agency on 1 January 2002. Its seat is in Torrejón de Ardoz, in the vicinity of Madrid, Spain.

SatCen offers challenging and rewarding careers to enthusiastic, motivated and highly skilled professionals who want to work in an international, multicultural environment and contribute to the Centre's mission. For more information, please visit our website: www.satcen.europa.eu

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The SatCen is seeking suitable candidates to establish a reserve list for the position of Legal Assistant – AI Act and Privacy.

The Legal Assistant – AI Act and Privacy reports to the Head of Legal Services and is mainly responsible for assisting the Legal Services in providing legal and procurement support regarding the AI Act implementation and Privacy matters in the EU environment.

The selected candidate will be responsible for the following duties:

• Closely collaborating with staff in the Legal Services, as well as other SatCen Divisions;
• Conducting legal assignments under the direction of SatCen legal staff;
• Conducting research on assigned issues, using existing law files and alternative sources (e.g., internet, intranet and/or other databases), analysing information, and summarising findings;
• Conducting legal analysis concerning technical requirements, risk and impact assessments under the AI Act;
• Contributing to the implementation of the AI Act for high-risk AI systems;
• Drafting legal guidance and preparing training materials on the AI Act, Data Protection and other related matters;
• Assisting in the handling of contracts, regulatory compliance, legal tasks, and legal support.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• Have a level of education corresponding to completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma or equivalent qualification;
• Be a national of one of the Member States of the Union and enjoy full rights as a citizen;
• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws concerning military service;
• Produce evidence of a thorough knowledge of English (minimum level B2) 4 , the working language of SatCen, and a satisfactory knowledge (minimum level B2) of another official EU language to the extent necessary for the performance of the duties;
• Have no personal interest, financial or otherwise, that could conflict with the disinterested performance of the duties;
• Hold, or be in a position to obtain, a security clearance at least at the level of EU SECRET or equivalent. If the successful candidate does not hold such clearance at the time of application, SatCen will initiate the request; no appointment will be confirmed until the clearance is received from the competent national authority. Candidates must declare, during the procedure, any circumstances that could conflict with the performance of their duties at SatCen;
• Be physically fit to perform their duties. Prior to appointment, the successful candidate will undergo a medical examination in line with Article 6 of the SatCen Staff Regulations;
• Be aware that, as SatCen is situated on an air force base outside Madrid with limited public transport to the entrance and none within the base itself, a driving licence is highly desirable — staff members are responsible for their own means of reaching the office.

4 According to the Common European Framework of References for Languages

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Have a level of education which corresponds to a completed university degree of at least three years in the field of Law, attested by a diploma
• A minimum of one year of professional experience in EU Law matters;
• Proven working experience in the implementation of the AI Act, including through legal analysis, compliance assessments, AI governance projects, policy development, procurement, regulatory implementation or related advisory work;
• Solid knowledge of Microsoft Office tools;
• Awareness of classified working environment procedures.
• A Master’s degree in the field of European Union Law;
• Relevant professional experience with the EU Data Protection Regulation (Regulation 2018/1725) and EU Public Procurement matters.
• Experience working in EU institutions, agencies or bodies or international organisations,
• Knowledge of the institutional framework of the EU (preferably in the CFSP field).

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• A sound knowledge of EU law.
• Excellent research and analysis skills.
• Motivation to work in a challenging, multicultural environment.
• High sense of discretion and confidentiality.
• Excellent team-working and inter-personal skills,
• Ability to take initiative, work independently and with cross-functional teams.
• Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written, particularly for drafting and summarising texts.

All essential and desirable criteria are evaluated in order to identify the most suitable candidates. Candidates are encouraged to be as detailed and specific as possible when describing their professional experience and competencies, providing concrete examples wherever relevant.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

SatCen applies a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of discrimination, harassment, or disrespectful or sexist behaviour. SatCen is an equal opportunities employer and strongly encourages applications from all qualified candidates, without distinction as to nationality, age, race, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, disability, political, philosophical or religious conviction, gender or sexual orientation, marital status or family situation.

SatCen recruitment is a competitive, merit-based process. In line with its commitment to improving gender and geographical balance among its staff, female candidates and candidates from currently under-represented Member States are strongly encouraged to apply. Recruitment nonetheless remains strictly based on merit, and no advantage is given nor are positions reserved for nationals of any specific Member State.

Candidates with a disability or medical condition that may affect their ability to sit the test or interview are invited to indicate this in their application, together with any special arrangements required.

CONTRACT AND REMUNERATION

• Local staff are personnel recruited for limited periods. In this case – 6 months.
• Local staff contracts do not have the status of international staff and are subject to the laws and regulations of the host State (Spain) where they are employed.
• € 32,000.00 (14 prorated payments in 12 monthly payments), subject to Spanish income tax and social security costs
• Posting is at SatCen, Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid) Spain.

PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA

The SatCen ensures that candidates’ personal data are processed as required by Regulation (EU) 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, offices and Agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC. (Official Journal of the European Union L 295, 21 November 2018, p. 39–98).

Unless indicated otherwise, any personal data will be processed solely for the purpose of the recruitment procedure. Details concerning the processing of personal data in recruitment procedures are available in this privacy statement .

Any data provided will be treated in the strictest confidence and with high standards of security.

REVIEW AND APPEAL PROCEDURE

The appeal procedure is reflected in Chapter VIII, Art. 28 of the SatCen Staff Regulations, also published on the SatCen website.

SatCen reserves the right not to provide individual feedback on candidates' performance during any stage of the selection procedure (application screening, written test, and/or interview). Where feedback is exceptionally provided, this does not constitute a right to feedback in future procedures.

Should an applicant consider that they have been adversely affected by a particular decision, a complaint may be lodged under Article 28 of the SatCen Staff Regulations, within three months of notification of the act, to:

SatCen Base Aérea Torrejón de Ardoz Avenida de Cádiz, Edificio 457 28850 Torrejón de Ardoz, Spain