EFTA Surveillance Authority
Vaido Poldoja is a Senior Legal Officer specializing in Competition and State Aid at the EFTA Surveillance Authority since September 2016, where previous roles included Legal Officer in the same field. Prior experience encompasses serving as a Case Handler at the European Commission's DG Competition from March 2012 to August 2016 and holding the position of Partner and Attorney-At-Law at TGS Baltic (formerly VARUL) from 2002 to April 2012, focusing on competition law, state aid, and regulatory matters. Vaido's early career included a stint as a Stagiaire at the European Commission's DG Information Society and Media in 2006, concentrating on electronic communications regulation and merger control. Educational qualifications include an LL.M. in EU Law with a focus on competition law from Stockholm University and an LL.B. in law from the University of Tartu.
EFTA Surveillance Authority
Mission The 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. ESA is an international organisation, independent of the States, which safeguards the rights of individuals and undertakings under the EEA Agreement, ensuring free movement, fair competition and control of state aid. ESA's work helps remove barriers to trade and open up new opportunities to over 450 million Europeans, creating jobs and growth and adding to the international competitiveness of the States. ESA is based in Brussels. It currently employs staff members of 19 nationalities. ESA is led by a College consisting of three members, each appointed for a period of four years by the three participating EFTA States. Values Integrity: The Authority operates in a fair, objective and independent manner. The Authority's staff take ownership of their tasks and carry out these tasks in an environment of open discussion and high ethical standards. Openness: The Authority and its staff carry out their functions in a manner which is visible, approachable and transparent. The Authority is open to continuous improvement at an organisational and individual level. Competence: The Authority employs highly qualified staff, who have the skills and knowledge required for the Authority to fulfil its role and to deal with tasks in an effective and efficient manner. We develop our competence and continuously improve our skills and knowledge and aim for excellence.