Company name: European Patent Office
Title: Employment Lawyers
Location: Munich
Contact: European Patent Office
Hours: 40
Salary: EUR 5 685,84 to 8 052,18
* "The EPO of tomorrow is not the EPO of the past"
For over four decades its scientists, engineers, lawyers, and other professionals, have been committed to delivering European patents for inventors everywhere. The Office has become a benchmark for quality and a pillar of the European intellectual property system. Today, the European Patent Office is undergoing an important transformation which aims to ensure that the goals of our strategic plan 2023 are delivered, along with the commitment to excellence we are striving for.
Within the Directorate General Corporate Services, Human Resources functions are split between a Principal Directorate in charge of customer services and talent management, and a Principal Directorate in charge of the policy making, employment law and workforce planning. The Employment Law Directorate aims to provide management with prompt, personal and professional support. Its role is to give advice on employment law to Office management, personnel departments, contribute to leading projects and to represent the EPO in litigation and other administrative procedures (e.g. disciplinary and incompetence proceedings). Maintaining the Directorate’s high level of performance is paramount in the context of the strategic plan 2023. This is why the Employment Law Directorate is now recruiting additional qualified lawyers.
*António Campinos, President of the EPO.
Successful candidates will be expected to play an active role in the team and will be required to undertake varied responsibilities in all areas of legal work performed by the Employment Law Directorate: 1) Legal advice
Providing legal advice to the President of the Office on new policies, reforms and reform projects, including those submitted to the approval of the Administrative CouncilAdvising on implementation of the EPO's employment-related legal framework, and helping to develop that framework by drafting legal opinions and related regulationsSupporting top-management on social dialogue, including participation to Joint Working Groups, preparation of documents submitted to the General Consultative Committee and preparation of meetings between the top-management and the trade unionsAdvising EPO management or statutory bodies on a range of strategic and operational questions whilst ensuring alignment with EPO rules and business objectivesProviding legal support and expertise to various departments on:operations and allowancesservices to management and business areascase management
2) Settlements
Actively participating in and promoting early dispute resolutionActively pursuing and participating to amicable settlements of ongoing disputesParticipating to mediation
3) Litigation
Drafting submissions before the Appraisal Committee, Appeals Committee, Disciplinary Committee, Joint Committee and International Labour Organisation Administrative TribunalMaking oral pleadings before the Disciplinary Committee, Joint Committee and Appeals CommitteeDrafting final decisions of the President of the Office
Any other tasks and duties upon request, depending on business needs
What we expect from you
Ability to work effectively under pressure and to strict deadlines (essential)Ability to communicate effectively including with non-lawyers and to keep an open mind and constructive attitudeAbility to adapt and provide proactive support to the team in a collaborative manner to facilitate exchanges and knowledge sharing Sound analysis and appreciation of legal risk based on advanced legal researchA well-organised, systematic and results-oriented approachAbility to think strategically and creatively, to understand legal issues in their wider context, including political and legislative processes, and to advise accordinglyKnowledge of project management and experience in drafting legal opinions, submissions and legislation would be an assetSpecialist knowledge of public international law and knowledge of the fundamentals of labour law; specific knowledge of international civil service law would be an asset
Your qualifications
Diploma of completed university studies at master's level in a relevant field or – in exceptional cases – equivalent professional experienceExcellent knowledge of one official language and ability to understand the other twoCitizenship of one of the member states of the European Patent Organisation
Interested? Apply here
What we offer Working at the EPO means working in a challenging yet highly rewarding environment. You will join a diverse, hard-working and united team, and collaborate daily with dedicated professionals from all over Europe. In addition to a comprehensive and family-friendly benefits package, the EPO offers you the opportunity to acquire a deep understanding and valuable experience on a particularly broad range of legal issues. You will develop and grow through the vast range of employment law topics and projects you will be involved in.
Time frame It is intended to hold the interviews in weeks 5/6, in Munich.
* after deduction of EPO internal tax and before deduction of staff contributions to the social-security and pension schemes. The salary range depends on experience.
To foster gender diversity, EPO encourages applications from women.
The EPO is an equal opportunities employer and supports workforce diversity as a signatory to the Diversity Charter (Charta der Vielfalt) since 2010. All applications for vacant positions will be welcomed and considered on the professional merits of the applicant against the role profile for the position regardless of nationality, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, parental responsibilities, age, religion or belief.
Interested? Apply here
