Alternate Chair Disciplinary Committee of the European Patent Office

The European Patent Office (EPO) is the second largest public institution in Europe. With headquarters in Munich, a branch at The Hague, sub-offices in Vienna and Berlin and a small bureau in Brussels, it employs approximately 6,300 staff across all four sites and has a self-financed annual budget of EUR 2.0bn.

The EPO is seeking to appoint an Alternate Chair for the Disciplinary Committee to be called upon occasionally when disciplinary cases arise. A handful of disciplinary proceedings usually take place at the EPO per year, for which either the Chair or the Alternate Chair is assigned as presiding member.

The Disciplinary Committee is an advisory statutory body charged with reviewing cases of alleged misconduct brought by the administration in the name of the appointing authority. The Disciplinary Committee, comprising the Chair or Alternate Chair and members (employees of the Office appointed by the President and the Central Staff Committee in equal numbers), prepares reasoned opinions in respect of allegations against employees or former employees under the disciplinary authority of the President.

The aim of the Disciplinary Committee’s work is to provide the appointing authority, within statutory deadlines, with a logically solid, legally sound and well-reasoned opinion as a basis for a final decision on the matter.

Role

The Chair / Alternate Chair is responsible for the overall conduct of the work of the Disciplinary Committee and disciplinary proceedings, as defined in the Service Regulations for Permanent and Other Employees of the EPO and other applicable regulations. The Chair / Alternate Chair contributes to the provision of a timely, fair and independent disciplinary procedure consistent with fair trial principles, notably due process.

Key tasks and responsibilities/accountabilities

• Managing all operations of the Disciplinary Committee and participating in and guiding all written and oral procedural stages of proceedings before it, up to and including the adoption of reasoned opinions.
• Serving as presiding member of the Disciplinary Committee, in particular assuming responsibility for procedural decisions, including the exchange of submissions, the setting of deadlines, the conduct of hearings, the taking of testimonies and the addressing of procedural motions as appropriate.

The Disciplinary Committee is assisted by a secretary.

Minimum qualifications

• Diploma of completed university studies at master’s level or – in exceptional cases – equivalent professional experience
• Qualifications required for appointment to high judicial office or lawyer with experience in the area of disciplinary law acquired at national or international level
• Proven and very high standards of performance
• Impeccable integrity and highest moral standards and respective authority
• The Alternate Chair cannot be a current employee of the EPO or have been an employee of the EPO within the past ten years.
• Procedures before the Disciplinary Committee can be conducted in any of the EPO’s official languages (English, French and German). The successful candidate is therefore expected to have a very good command of two of the official languages. The ability to understand a third official language would be considered an asset.

Remuneration
The remuneration includes fees paid on a daily rate to cover the proceeding, as well as preparatory and follow-up work in relation to any disciplinary proceeding which the Alternate Chair is called upon to preside over. Expenses for travel and daily subsistence will be paid for by the EPO in accordance with the provisions applying to employees of the Office.

The successful candidate will be appointed for a period of three years and may be reappointed. Selection will be made on the basis of qualifications and interview(s).

For more information about the vacancy, please contact us via email to talentacquisition@epo.org.

We welcome all applications for vacant positions. We consider each on its professional merits – regardless of your nationality, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, parental responsibilities, age, religion or belief.

Why join us?
✓ Be part of the EPO's transformation and enable innovation ✓ Work with inspiring people from a variety of cultures ✓ Develop yourself and take on an intellectual challenge

What's in it for you?
✓ A competitive salary ✓ Family-friendly benefits ✓ A good work-life balance ✓ Generous flexibility options ✓ Relocation benefits and various allowances ✓ Contributory medical insurance and pension schemes ✓ 30 days' leave per year ✓ Free gym access ✓ Social activities and clubs

Who we are
We are the patent office for Europe. We are proud to deliver high-quality patents and efficient services that foster innovation, competitiveness and economic growth.

Our vision
We will empower and motivate our staff to set worldwide standards in intellectual property. Our Office will be effective and transparent, respond to the needs of our users and be agile in managing the changing demands and conditions of a dynamic global patent system. Our work will contribute to a safer, smarter and more sustainable world.

Our values
All our relationships within our Office and with partners around the world will prosper through trust, fairness, mutual respect, adaptability, collaboration and a commitment to excellence.

Our work environment
We believe that diversity is fundamental to our success. Our inclusive work environment respects, values and celebrates our individual differences. We want you to be yourself at work. Join us on this exciting journey to a more digital, collaborative and sustainable organisation.

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