European Seed Association (ESA) represents the seed industry in Europe. Members are more than 35 national associations, representing almost 1000 seed businesses, and around 50 individual companies.

ESA’s mission is to work for effective protection of intellectual property rights for plants and seeds, fair and proportionate regulation of the European seed industry and freedom of choice for customers in supplying seeds resulting from innovative and diverse technologies and production methods.

The ESA General Secretariat is based in Brussels, Belgium, and headed by the Secretary General who is supported by a Technical Director and currently two assistants. ESA is now recruiting a new

MANAGER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND LEGAL AFFAIRS (M/F)

Main responsibilities of the position include:

• Management of ESA’s Committee on Intellectual Property and Breeders Rights for which the LA / LD shall assume leadership and full responsibility following a reasonable period of familiarization
• Support of ESA’s Committee on Regulatory and Legal Affairs and management of assigned related Working Groups
• Support for the work of ESA’s Sections for beets, cereals & pulses, forage plants and amenity grasses, maize, oil & fibre plants, potatoes, vegetables and all ESA Working Groups in areas where legal expertise and/or input from the horizontal Committees and Working Groups is required
• External representation of ESA on intellectual property issues and other legal and regulatory matters towards EU institutions, EU authorities, international seed organisations etc., and internally towards national seed associations and companies and seed related organisations

We expect a University degree in law, ideally with a focus on intellectual property rights and/or EU law, and a strong interest in EU politics.
Excellent written and spoken English (ESA’s working language) is a prerequisite and knowledge of other major EU languages would be considered an asset.
Proficiency in MS Office applications and internet research is required and familiarity with website content management systems would be welcomed.

ESA is looking for a highly motivated, younger professional, ideally with work experience on IP related issues, within the European institutions or industry interest representations, and with an affinity to the agro-food chain.

We are expecting a team player with strong communication, implementation and analytical skills who remains calm under pressure, displays excellent manners, enjoys a challenging multi-national environment and is able to develop effective leadership in the assigned areas of responsibility.

The position is based in Brussels and requires some international travel.

Please send your application and CV including your salary expectation by 02.06.2009 to

ESA European Seed Association, att. Garlich v. Essen, Secretary General, Rue de Luxembourg 23, P.O. Box 15, B-1000 Brussels or by e-mail to vonessen@euroseeds.org

Further information on ESA is available on our website www.euroseeds.org

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