DUTIES:

The incumbent is an advisor on all aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for the institutions of the European Union (EU) and of its Member States, as well as following developments in the UK, the EFTA countries, and the European Patent Office.

With regards to United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Program Design and Management, the job holder participates in the formulation of action plans and strategic initiatives, identifies IPR issues, determines solutions to improve IPR regimes, and serves as an advisor during briefing sessions with U.S. officials and business executives on IPR issues in the region.

The incumbent monitors, analyzes, and provides expert-level reporting on legislative and policy developments as well as judicial and administrative decisions relating to IPR protection and enforcement; conducts independent research on complex legal issues and policies; provides summaries on issues likely to affect US interests; prepares briefing materials for USG officials; and assists with IPR programming and advocacy in the region, including in trade agreement negotiations.

As part of a variety of outreach activities, the job holder develops and maintains contacts with senior officials in the EU region, advises and assists in identifying areas of cooperation; and organizes and attends meetings with government officials and industry representatives.

The job holder further identifies opportunities and develops programs to educate government officials and relevant stakeholders about IPR issues, including trainings and conferences; and delivers presentations and prepares speeches for USPTO and other USG officials.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EVALUATIONS:

Experience

Minimum of five (5) years of experience in European Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), Business, Government, or Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in the fields of intellectual property, e-commerce, international trade, trade promotion, economics, and/or economic research.  As part of the five (5) years, one (1) year of experience in program management is required;

Job knowledge

General knowledge of European economies and US commercial structure. Expert knowledge of the principles governing protection of IPR, notably patents, and general knowledge of trademarks, geographical indications, copyrights, and/or trade secrets. General knowledge of the international agreements governing IPR, e.g. Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and treaties administered by World Intellectual Property (WIPO), in order to monitor EU and host countries' implementation of trade agreements, and to assess the host countries’ compliance with international trade obligations. Should have knowledge of relevant local laws and regulations, including IPR office operation and administration, and adherence to IPR standards of protection and enforcement across Europe. Should be familiar with the workings of the European Patent Office, EUIPO, and the European Court of Justice. Standard capabilities in word processing, Power Point, spread sheet and related Office-type suite of products.

Education

• Completion of a university master’s degree in the area of law from the US or EU.

Evaluations

• Language: Fluency in English and another European language. This may be tested;


• Skills and abilities: Ability to multi-task and innovate to address the widest range of legal and management issues. Ability to give prompt and substantive advice. Negotiation skills to deal with advocacy work. Strong inter-personal skills to maintain contacts. Strong communication skills to interpret and analyze complex legal projects and situations; to recommend and articulate further course of action quickly and clearly; prepare precise and accurate reports embodying in-depth analytical and legal evaluation; and to render advice with detachment and objectivity, employing sound professional judgment.  Must be highly motivated, respectful of chain of command, and be a team player.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO):

The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.

• Qualifications;


• All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications. All candidates must be able to obtain and hold a Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) certification.

BENEFITS AND OTHER INFO:

Benefits

Agency Benefits

• Locally Employed Staff, including Members of Household (MOHs), and Third-Country Nationals (TCNs), working at the U.S. Mission in Brussels may receive a compensation package that may include extra-legal benefits: life insurance, hospitalization insurance (family included), meal tickets, transportation reimbursements, seniority leave, special holidays, training, Employee Assistance Program, etc;


• For EFMs, benefits should be discussed with the Human Resources Office;


• The pay plan is assigned at the time of the conditional offer letter by the HR Office.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Hiring preference selection process

Applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below.  Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.

Hiring preference order

• AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran;


• AEFM / USEFM;


• FS on LWOP and CS with reemployment rights.

Important: Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”), equivalent documentation, or certification.  A “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service.  Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given.

This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau.

For more information (i.e., what is an EFM, USEFM, AEFM, MOH, etc.?) and for additional employment considerations, please visit the following link.

HOW TO APPLY:

• All applicants must create an ERA profile and submit their complete application through ERA for each vacancy of their interest;


• A complete application means that your ERA profile outlines how you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the vacancy announcement (education, experience and language proficiency), and contains the required attachments;


• For more information on how to apply visit the Mission internet site.

Required Documents

Note: Resume and cover letter are not required documents and will not be considered in the recruitment process. Instead, please complete your Electronic Recruitment Application profile thoroughly to capture all information you would like for the recruiters to consider.

To qualify based on education, you MUST submit the requested degree and / or transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide requested information, or the information is insufficient to verify eligibility, may result in disqualification for this position.

All applicants

• Residency and/or Work Permit;


• Master's diploma (preferably a copy recognized by Belgian/U.S. authorities*);


• Language Scores (if available).

Eligible Family Member Applicants

• Copy of Sponsor's Orders/Assignment Notification (or equivalent);


• Passport copy;


• DD-214 - Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable);


• SF-50 (if applicable).

Clarification

If you have a diploma of one of the following countries, your diploma is automatically recognized:

• USA;


• Belgium;


• Netherlands;


• Luxembourg;


• International diplomas awarded by the European University Institute Firenze.

In case you have a foreign diploma from a country not listed above, preferably submit the professionally recognized version by cfwb/naric as outlined on our website. The recognition type that applies for this vacancy is: level recognition. The process may take about 90 days.