Legal Officer (Trademark and IP) (m-f-d)

The Mission

FSC is an internationally operating NGO which works to take care of our forests and those who rely on them by protecting plant and animal species, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, forest workers’ safety, and much more on a global scale. We achieve this through FSC certification, ensuring forests around the world are responsibly managed. This goal requires, inter alia, a successful licensing business with rigid protection of FSC’s trademarks and risk management with suitable compliance tools. For more information on FSC, visit our website at www.fsc.org.

To effectively meet the challenge of protecting the world’s forests, we are committed to ensuring we have the world’s most skilled people working with us. This commitment extends to everyone that works in FSC around the world: from those that lead the design of policies and standards, to those that roll out those same policies and standards on the ground, and to those that provide us with backbone to do our work.

FSC, including the Legal Department with its global activities, is continuously growing, which is why we are looking for an additional engaged Legal Officer (Trademark and IP) who brings solid expertise and a passion for FSC’s mission, to work with us in a multinational environment.

The Scope

The energetic team of the Legal Department supports all legal and compliance aspects of the FSC Group and advises FSC’s management and its specialized units in their daily business affairs. Your main scope as Legal Officer will be to provide support in all areas and cases concerning intellectual property (IP) rights with a special focus on trademark protection, enforcement, and licensing in collaboration with team members.

Main Roles and Responsibilities

• To counsel on all aspects of IP law trademark and copyright law, unfair competition, publicity rights law, and domain name as well as internet and e-commerce related issues.
• To counsel on legal actions and non-litigious solutions.
• To protect FSC’s trademarks and other intellectual property rights by processing infringement and fraud cases, for example, by drafting and negotiating cease-and-desist letters and preparations for court actions.
• To support the revision process of proper trademark protection strategies for the FSC Group to strengthen the trademark enforcement program.
• To provide trademark support and guidance to the global FSC Network.
• To engage and work with external counsels and oversee the quality of results.
• To work with customs authorities and law enforcement agencies throughout the world in an effort to prevent fraud in the system.
• To develop, organize and participate in training sessions to staff at FSC International and the global FSC Network in relation to IP affairs.
• To work closely and respond to inquiries of different internal and external stakeholders.
• To carry out research activities related to the work area.
• Inter-unit collaboration and project support especially with Marketing & Communication as well as with the Integrity Unit and IT.
• Additional tasks and overarching cases dealt with by the FSC Legal Team as agreed.

Qualification, Experience and Skills

• Education and Training:
  • University degree in a relevant field of law. Ideally a Master’s degree in IP/Trademarks.
  • Strong intellectual property background with knowledge of IP portfolio and trademark enforcement management database(s) and systems.
     
• Working Experience, Style and Skills:
  • At least two (2) years of practical experience, preferably in-house in a globally oriented organization and/or international law firm, is desired.
  • Experience required in international trademark portfolios with specific experience in trademark clearance, prosecution, investigations, and enforcement work.
  • Experience in licensing business and negotiation of license agreements is valuable.
  • Familiar with advertising and consumer protection laws, laws relating to counterfeit goods and, ideally, experience with customs and border control protection is very useful.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills: ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks and projects in a structured way, while delivering high quality work.
  • Service and detail oriented with a proactive work method.
  • Ability to represent FSC through your work with exemplary personal and professional attitude and conduct, including a friendly and self-confident appearance.
     
• Languages:
  • Fluency in English (spoken and written) is required.
  • Fluency in German and/or Spanish and/or French and/or Chinese (spoken and written) is a very valuable plus.
     
• Computer Skills – good skills in the use of/experience with:
  • Standard software packages (MS Office).
  • Trademark Portfolio Database Management Platforms is very helpful.
  • Contract Database Management platforms is an asset.
     
• Communication Skills:
  • Exemplary verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to establish and maintain positive interpersonal relations.
     
• Others:
  • Commitment to FSC’s mission and values, including cultural awareness.
  • Ability to represent FSC through his/her work with exemplary personal and professional authority and conduct.

Terms and Conditions

• Location: Bonn, Germany
• Working Hours: full time (40 hours per week) or part time (20 or 30 hours per week)
• Duration of Employment: temporary contract - 2 years (extension possible)
• Starting Date: as soon as possible
• Travel: sporadic travel is required

How to Apply

• Please apply via our website by submitting your CV in English.
• Please do not send any photos of yourself.
• The deadline for applications is 14 April 2023.

We will confirm receipt of your application. However, only candidates shortlisted for an interview will be further contacted and will receive notice of the outcome of the selection process. Should you not receive a confirmation of receipt please check your spam filter and if you cannot find it there contact us at recruitment@fsc.org

Please be informed, that by applying for this position you automatically accept our Data Protection Information on processing your personal data.

We are looking forward to your application!