Administrator, European and/or International Relations, (country co-ordinator) in D 5.1.1 ( 5764 ) Job group: 4 Grade on recruitment: G7-10 Duration of contract: 3 Career path: Technical Location: Munich Application deadline: 06/04/2018 In line with the EPO's mission, Directorates European Co-operation (D 5.1.1) and International Co-operation (D 5.1.2), which both belong to Principal Directorate 5.1 (European and International Co-operation), work to increase the efficiency and quality of the European patent system and to promote the EPO's position as the world's leading IP office. Directorate 5.1.1 is in charge of the development, implementation and assessment of co‑operation initiatives with the national patent offices (NPOs) and related institutions, following the provisions of the Co-operation Roadmap as well as the bilateral co-operation plans. Directorate 5.1.2 is responsible for bilateral relations and co-operation programmes with non-EPC countries, as well as for overseeing political, institutional and strategic relations with international organisations, the IP5, the Trilateral Offices and the international user community. All of this is done in close co-operation with the relevant departments within the EPO as well as with industry. The successful candidate(s) for this role will be responsible for providing strategic, expert and operational support to EPO management and staff in connection with the EPO's international relations with IP offices, international organisations and stakeholders in a specific partner country or region. This typically includes the preparation and implementation of co-operation instruments in line with EPO policy and designed to promote the European patent system. Main duties Developing and co-ordinating the EPO's political, institutional and strategic relations with external stakeholders such as officials from member and non-member states, IP institutions, international organisations and the private sector (e.g. industry associations) Co-ordinating EPO departments' relations with external institutions Initiating, drafting and reviewing documents related to policy, operational and planning matters in the area of external relations Performing policy compliance checks, monitoring project implementation and reporting Advising EPO management on external-relations issues and providing regular information updates Proposing, designing and organising structures and activities for EPO European and international relations Performing other tasks as required with a view to the efficient organisation and smooth running of the directorate, and any further services which may be added The ideal candidate will have an understanding of the patent system in general and of the work of a patent office experience in drafting opinions, reports, mission briefings and documents relating to co‑operation or international relations advanced expertise in political, regulatory and economic research good analytical and drafting skills specialist knowledge of external relations and related fields very good knowledge of English and good working knowledge of the other two EPO official languages; for certain countries, non-EPO language skills will be a great asset persuasiveness, and very good negotiation, communication and writing skills the ability to work effectively under pressure and to strict deadlines a well-organised, analytical, systematic and results-oriented approach the ability to work well both independently and as part of a team willingness to travel Minimum qualifications Diploma of completed university studies at master's level or – in exceptional cases – equivalent professional experience Excellent knowledge of one official language (English, French or German) and ability to understand the other two Citizenship of one of the member states of the European Patent Organisation Salary and benefits The EPO offers competitive salaries, an excellent social package, and varied work in a modern international environment. The net (basic) monthly salary for this vacancy ranges from EUR 5 521.05 to 7 818.81, depending on experience. In addition, depending on their personal circumstances, EPO staff may be entitled to relocation benefits and various allowances (e.g. household, dependants', childcare, education, expatriation, installation, rent and language allowance). Procedure and time frame The successful candidate will be selected on the basis of qualifications and experience, supplemented as appropriate by interviews, tests and/or a personality questionnaire. It is intended to hold the interviews in calendar week 18 and 19 in Munich. after deduction of EPO internal tax and before deduction of staff contributions to the social-security and pension schemes.