View Vacancy - European Intellectual Property Attaché (BEL22.407)

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
Commercial Diplomacy, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Programme Roles), Political

Our daily work rellies on the input of dedicated individuals who engage in many different topics and activities. We seek to employ a diverse range of candidates who bring their won talents and perspectives to the role. We have a strong corporate agenda that ensures we create a positive and inclusive working environment where everyone is valued for their contribution.

The UK Mission to the European Union (UKMIS) is part of a world-wide network of nearly 270 Diplomatic Posts, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. we are looking for an European Intellectual Property Attaché, to integrate the Intellectual Property Office (IPO).

IPO is an executive agency of the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The IPO is responsible for both the operational and policy aspects of intellectual property rights. It is also responsible for educating innovators and consumers about IP rights, the enforcement of IP rights and representing the UK’s IP system internationally including in Free Trade Agreement negotiations.

Intellectual Property (IP) is integral to all our lives and everything that surrounds us. Have you ever wondered how a musician makes money? How pharmaceutical companies develop and protect their vaccines? How the brand of your favourite drink became established? And how you can support creative and innovative businesses in a challenging and competitive global market? IP rights protect more than £63 billion worth of investment in the ideas and knowledge economy. IP is a vital part of the creative industries that is worth more than £100 billion to the UK economy and the UK exports more than £16 billion worth of IP around the world every year.

As the lead representative within Brussels and with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) network, the jobholder will lead on supporting the UK IPO to deliver its objectives within Europe.

The role will serve to act as a conduit between the UK IPO and Brussels, focusing on cooperation and relationship building, enabling the UK to reshape its connections to the EU, and across the European region, working closely with UKMis posts to support and help shape current and future UK IP policy priorities.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Intellectual Property Office embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation. We particularly welcome applications from women, persons with protective characteristics, and applicants from a diverse background.

This is a challenging but exciting time to join UKMis in a rapidly changing environment. The wider team focuses on the economic relationship with the EU, which remains the UK’s largest trading partner, especially in key sectors such as digital and technology which form a large part of our ongoing trade and regulatory cooperation.

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Represent the UK IPO at the centre of the EU’s legislative environment and identify possible initiatives to promote the UK’s priorities.
  • Actively seek out and form relationships within Brussels, building and maintaining a network of contacts with the EU27, the European institutions and other Overseas Missions.
  • Establish pathways of communication with key external stakeholders, including industry bodies/organisations and NGOs seeking to influence the legislative and policy making agenda within the EU landscape.
  • Develop expertise on IP policy development, legislative proposals, and delivery across Europe to closely monitor activities and evaluate their impact to help inform decision-making.
  • Provide clear advice and guidance to the UK IPO, offering informed analysis of developments in Brussels.
  • Identify opportunities for policy and technical cooperation between the UK and EU across IP matters and areas of shared importance. 
  • Support the UK-EU IP Specialised Committee Co-chair and Secretariat to enable the UK to fulfil its obligations under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), working across Whitehall and other relevant departments focused on domestic and European IP-related issues.
  • Over time, engage directly with EU MS and wider European countries, working closely with Embassy staff, IP institutions and National Offices, to support the interests of the IPO and UK business/stakeholders.
  • Lead and coordinate IP-related inward and outward visits, events, meetings, seminars, conferences etc, including government officials and external stakeholders.
  • Liaise across the IPO to update, inform and seek opinions on policy development and coordination
  • Other pieces of work as required by the IPO UK.

This is not an exhaustive list, and the post holder will be required to be flexible as the UK-EU relationship develops and the landscape evolves.

  • Knowledge of European Governmental institutions.
  • Knowledge and experience of European politics and relations.
  • Experience of stakeholder engagement and managing external relationships with key stakeholders and building influence with multiple stakeholders.
  • Fluency in English language.
  • Strong spoken and written communication skills.
  • Excellent analytical and evaluation skills.
  • Experience of multilateral negotiations.
  • Basic knowledge and understanding of intellectual property rights and EU IP institutions.
  • Fluency in French and/or German Languages.
Communicating and Influencing, Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together
25 September 2022
Senior Executive Officer (SEO)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
36.5
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Belgium
UK Mission to the European Union (UKMIS), Brussels
British Embassy
1
EUR
7,421.34 monthly
15 October 2022
14 October 2024

This is a 24 month, fixed term, full-time contract for 5 working days (36.5 hours net) per week. The monthly gross salary for this position is € 7,421,34 (SEO) level. In addition, we offer an extensive salary package, which includes a 13th month, luncheon vouchers, pension scheme, optional hospitalisation insurance (subject to monthly employee contribution), reimbursement of public transport and a lot more. We offer more days of annual leave than the Belgian requirements.

You will have access to an extensive range of L&D offered globally by the FCDO, as well as more bespoke L&D opportunities provided through the mission, including around developing diplomatic influencing skills, understanding the EU institutions and to support career development. All staff are also expected to complete a small number of short mandatory courses on joining the mission.

Please note that Belgian nationals will be paid their salary gross and are expected to comply with their tax obligations through completion of a tax return to the Belgian authorities. Non-Belgian nationals will receive their salary net, minus the deduction of an equivalent level of Belgian tax retained at source. Further information on this will be given to candidates during the recruitment process.

The successful candidates will be subject to professional background checks and security clearance.

Visa/passport requirements: Must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Belgium and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered. Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.