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Lawyer European Patent Office

Lawyer in Directorate Employment Law
Principal Directorate Legal Services
Munich (Germany)

Directorate Employment Law advises EPO management and HR departments on employment law, and represents the EPO in internal appeals and any ensuing complaints filed with the Administrative Tribunal of the International Labour Organization (ATILO).

In order to solve the backlog of internal appeals, additional temporary support is required in the Directorate Employment Law for the next three years.

Main duties

  • Drafting the Office's position papers for the Internal Appeals Committee (IAC)
  • Defending the Office's interests before the IAC
  • Providing legal advice to the Principal Director Legal Services and Office management
  • Drafting submissions in proceedings before the ATILO, and providing support to external lawyers handling outsourced complaints.

Candidate profile

  • In-depth knowledge and experience of employment law in international organisations
  • Ability to think analytically and present clear, concise and persuasive arguments with a solid legal basis
  • Advanced skills and experience in drafting legal opinions and regulations
  • Very good oral and written communication skills
  • Well-organised, systematic and results-oriented approach, and the ability to work to tight deadlines
  • Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team
  • Familiarity with MS Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), standard e mail and calendar systems (e.g. Lotus Notes), the internet and other standard office software
  • Very good English and French language skills would be an asset

The ideal candidate will have experience of

  • employment-law litigation
  • providing legal advice
  • work in an international environment.

Minimum qualifications
Diploma of completed studies at university level or – in exceptional cases – equivalent professional experience. Excellent knowledge of one official language and ability to understand the other two.

Duration of the contract
The contract will be on a non-renewable basis for the duration of 3 years. An extension over the period of 36 months shall not be possible.

Selection procedure
The successful candidate(s) will be selected on the basis of qualifications, supplemented as appropriate by interviews and/or tests. It is intended to hold the interviews in calendar week 9 of 2012.

Please apply online, using the online application form, reference number NRC/5202.
Closing date: 31.01.2012

As the second largest European organisation, the European Patent Office offers a competitive salary, excellent social benefits and varied work in a modern international environment.

To apply, please use the following link.