Principal Directorate European and International Affairs has overall responsibility for all co‑operation activities at the European Patent Office (EPO). It acts as the EPO's first point of contact for national IP offices worldwide, international IP authorities, such as the EUIPO and WIPO, as well as European and international organisations (IOs), national authorities and patent system users. 

The principal directorate's activities contribute to the EPO's key aim of building a European patent system and network with a global impact. Through its co‑operation projects and partnerships, the principal directorate works to strengthen the European Patent Network (EPN), contributing to the dissemination of common European standards internationally. 

The principal directorate comprises three regional desks: Member States and Neighbouring Countries; IP5, IOs and Global Users; and the Americas, Africa and ASEAN, as well as an External Relations Support Team. Each team is headed by a team lead who reports direct to the principal director (PD) to ensure early strategic alignment and effective, timely decision-making. 

We are now looking for a Regional Desk Coordinator to take on these important missions. 

As Regional Desk Coordinator, you will co‑ordinate the work of one of the regional desks in close co‑operation with the team lead and the PD European and International Affairs. 

With us you will:

• act as interface towards relevant co‑operation stakeholders in line with the EPO co‑operation policy, while ensuring its timely implementation according to the defined co‑operation instruments
• draft briefings and documents in a collaborative and consultative manner to support management in the decision-making process on external relations matters
• co-ordinate and monitor the implementation of the EPO's co-operation policy, provide competent support and advice to internal and external stakeholders in line with established strategic objectives
• perform policy compliance checking for co-operation projects and activities
• propose, design and organise European and international relations activities on behalf of the EPO
• develop and co-ordinate the EPO's political, institutional and strategic relations with external stakeholders, such as officials from national IP offices and other related national IP institutions, European and international public organisations and the private sector (e.g. user associations), in accordance with the aims and objectives of the EPO's strategic plan and co‑operation framework
• monitor and analyse national innovation policy and other strategic developments in Europe and across the world
• proactively ensure timely information on strategic matters as well as knowledge sharing related to the area of your responsibility
• prepare and support the implementation of the co-operation instruments designed to promote the European patent system in line with EPO policy
• carry out other tasks as required with a view to the efficient organisation and smooth implementation of the co-operation framework policy

Apply if you have:

• practical experience of working in a similar position at the EPO, a national IP office or other international organisation demonstrable specialist knowledge of external relations and related fields 
• a sound knowledge of the patent system in general and of the structure, political function and work of a patent office and the major European and international organisations 
• the proven ability to establish effective rapport and networks with a diverse group of stakeholders as well as excellent written communication skills 
• a high level of influencing and negotiation skills 
• outstanding analytical skills, the ability to identify potential challenges and provide workable solutions and a creative way of thinking proven ability in drafting and preparing opinions, reports, mission and meeting briefings and documents relating to co-operation or external relations with the aim of facilitating co‑operation and exchanges with stakeholders as well as informing the decision-making process 
• the ability to plan your workload in accordance with set deadlines and deliver the required level of quality; where necessary, to work effectively under pressure and to strict deadlines without compromising on quality 
• a high level of commitment, loyalty and integrity in handling sensitive policy information and understanding of the need for confidentiality a can-do attitude and the ability to think creatively 
• the ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team with a variety of stakeholders taking a project management approach 

Our minimum requirements for this post

• Diploma of completed studies at master's level or – in exceptional cases – equivalent professional experience
• Generally, an excellent knowledge (at least C1) of one official language (English, French and German) and ability to understand the other two; alternatively, excellent knowledge (at least C1) of at least one official language (in such cases, the willingness to learn the missing language(s) and to reach level B2 within a set time frame would be required)
• Citizenship of one of the member states of the European Patent Organisation

Process

Candidates are kindly asked to upload an updated CV and outline their motivation in the designated application field (character limit 4000). If so wished, the motivation letter can also be uploaded as a Word or pdf attachment under "Application document" in SuccessFactors. In this case, please indicate in the designated field "Please refer to attached motivation letter".

The successful candidate will be selected on the basis of qualifications, competencies, professional experience and language knowledge, supplemented as appropriate by interviews, tests and/or a personality questionnaire.

A reserve list may be constituted, should more candidates than required at this time be considered suitable following the selection procedure. Such reserve lists are valid for 18 months and reserve list candidates may be contacted, should a vacancy with substantially the same profile arise during that period.

More information on how we recruit can be found on our EPO jobs and careers site.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Key information

Job group: 4

Grade: G7 to G10 (net (basic) monthly salary* for this vacancy: EUR 5 901 to 9 620, depending on experience and location) 

Duration of appointment: Five years, with the possibility of extension

Career path: Technical 

Location: Office-wide 

Application deadline: 15 October 2024

Interviews planned for: November/December 2024 

* after deduction of EPO-internal tax and before deduction of staff contributions to the social security and pension schemes.