Legal Assistant

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Legal Assistant –fixed term project contract

Application deadline: 22.04.2022 at 17:00 Vietnam time

Project Description:

The European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) is the principal voice of the European business community in Vietnam. EuroCham was established in 1998 and is a members-based, independent, not-for-profit organisation representing European business interests in Vietnam. With over 1,200 members, 18 Sector Committees, 2 offices and 3 regional chapters, EuroCham is one of the biggest foreign Chambers of Commerce in Vietnam and among the 5 largest European Chambers of Commerce in the world.

The South-East Asia IP SME Helpdesk project has been implemented by EuroCham since 2015 and is an initiative of the European Union. The current phase of the project is running until 21 August 2022, and it will be potentially renewed. The project supports EU SMEs to both protect and enforce their intellectual property rights (IPR) in or relating to South-East Asia through the provision of free information and services. These take the form of jargon-free, first-line, confidential advice on IP and related issues, plus trainings, materials and online resources.

EuroCham Vietnam, as key implementation partner in the region, plays an important role in carrying out trainings and visibility activities in Vietnam and in the wider South-East Asian region. Furthermore, EuroCham Vietnam is in charge of developing publications in the IP field and has an important role in building and maintaining relationships with enforcement agencies, IP offices and IPR Sector Committees of other European Chambers of Commerce in the region.

MAIN DUTIES

Job Title:

Legal Assistant

Reporting to:  

Project Manager, Ip Business Advisor, Executive Director

Supervising:

N/A

Job Summary:

The Legal Assistant performs both operational and research tasks related to drafting articles and case studies about Intellectual Property (IP) in South-East Asia, monitoring IP updates (legislation, practice, caselaw, articles & events) in the region and supporting with other legal tasks. The Legal Assistant is also required to attend matchmaking events to discuss with companies about IP strategy (involving the performance of preliminary prior rights searches if needed), carrying out in-house research for IP publications and develop other IP materials. Further to that, the Legal Assistant is required to attend networking events to increase the project visibility among the European business community in Vietnam. The main goal of the project is to provide IP advice to companies related to IP questions.

Location

Ho Chi Minh City

Type of Contract

• 5-month fixed term contract (with possible extension) upon successful renewal of the project
• Expected start date: as soon as possible

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: the project team at EuroCham Vietnam and coordination with consortium members and EuroCham Team
• External: European companies in South-East Asia & Europe, EuroCham’s partners in South-East Asia, IP lawyers in the Helpdesk’s expert network, goods and services suppliers

Main Duties and Key Performance Indicators:

1. Represent the project and generate questions related to IP during events, trade fairs and matchmaking events in Vietnam or online and occasionally in other cities of South-East Asia to strengthen the visibility activities of the project and distributing promotion materials;
2. Produce reports and statistics on different aspects of IP questions;
3. Support the project’s IP Business Advisor in the production of training materials and publications (by conducting initial research, creating first draft and providing further content and design input);
4. Attend meetings and conferences (either onsite or virtually) concerning IP in Vietnam and/or SEA and support in monitoring changes of the IP landscape (new legislation and practice) in Vietnam and/or SEA;
5. Be responsible for the quality control of tasks related to the Project or to EuroCham which are handled in Vietnamese (either written or orally);
6. Other tasks as assigned

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education and Training Background:

Bachelor degree in Business Administration, Economics, Trade, Law and Policy or a related field.

Work Experience:

• At least 2 years of relevant working experience;
• Experience of working in NGOs and for legal projects or law firm is preferred;
• Experience in IP firm or background in IP is a strong asset
• Experience of working with individuals from different cultural/national backgrounds;
• Background in IP is a strong asset

Core Competencies:

• Good knowledge and understanding of the legal system, especially with regards to IP protection and enforcement in the South-East Asia region are preferred;
• Excellent report writing and data analysis skills;
• Proven legal drafting is an advantage;
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a strong sense of responsibility and flexibility; ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams and also independently;
• Outgoing personality with strong networking skills;
• Detail-orientation and good time management skills;
• Team player & creative mindset
• High standards of integrity, professionalism, personal discipline.

Languages:

Fluent written and spoken English (Good knowledge of another European language is an advantage), fluent in Vietnamese

Software and Package Skills:

Good computer skills with Microsoft Office Tools, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint are required. Computer skills with management software, database software and website software are preferred.

WHAT WE OFFER

What We Offer:

• Strong network development in legal and business community in Vietnam and South-East Asia with relevant stakeholders across many sectors;
• Great opportunity of doing research & drafting articles about IP;
• Competitive compensation package;
• A cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary working environment

HOW TO APPLY

If you are interested in this job opportunity, please send the following to the email address [email protected]:

• Your CV with a cover letter
• Your references (if any)
• Your Gross salary expectation

All applications must be received by 22.04.2022 at 17:00 Vietnam time.

• NB: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Due to the high number of expected applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks.