Associate Legal Officer

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE\:  Please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.

 

 

a.      Organizational Setting

 

The post is located in the Patent Law Section of the Patent Law Division, Innovation and Technology Sector. This Division is responsible for the implementation of WIPO's strategic goals concerning the balanced evolution of the international normative framework for intellectual property in the area of patents, utility models, undisclosed information/trade secrets and layout designs (topographies) of integrated circuits (hereafter referred as "patent law").  The Patent Law Section is responsible for the progressive development of international normative frameworks for patents and other related rights.  It includes, among others, the administration, promotion and implementation of three patent law-related treaties (the Paris Convention, The Budapest treaty (BT) and the Patent Law Treaty (PLT)) and the organization of WIPO meetings dealing with the above patent-related areas.

 

b.      Purpose Statement

 

The incumbent works as part of a team that facilitates normative development of the international law in the aforementioned fields of intellectual property at all levels of the normative hierarchy.  Through the provision of comprehensive and reliable information, the team also assists Member States for the development of balanced legislative and policy frameworks and practices.  The main role of the incumbent is to conduct legal research and analyses on various legal issues related to patents, utility models, trade secrets and layout designs of integrated circuits, and to assist organization and implementation of patent drafting training activities.

 

c.      Reporting Lines

 

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head of the Patent Law Section.

 

 

 

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties\:

 

a.   Carry out research on various topics in the assigned work area, perform comparative analyses of national/regional legislations and practices, provide input and prepare initial drafts of working documents for WIPO technical committees and bodies, guides, legal opinions and other documents pertaining to the functions and activities of the work unit.

 

b.   Assist in organizing and implementing training and awareness-raising activities, seminars and workshops, in particular, in the area of patent drafting training.

 

c.   Draft notifications in respect of the Budapest Treaty and its Regulations.

 

d.   Update and maintain the Guide on the Budapest Treaty for publication in English and French and administer the relevant WIPO internet website.

 

e.   Participate in the work of the Secretariat of WIPO technical committees, meetings and other bodies, including drafting of summary minutes and meeting reports, conducting preliminary research in order to ensure availability of relevant materials and documents, ensuring completion of organizational matters.

 

f.    Participate in conferences and meetings organized by Member States, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations, in particular, in the area of patent drafting training;  this includes organizing the meetings as appropriate and delivering lectures as part of the training.

 

g.   Reply to general correspondence and inquiries and provide advice on general legal questions concerning the law of patents, utility models, undisclosed information/trade secrets and layout designs (topographies) of integrated circuits.

 

h.   Perform other related duties as required.

 

 

 

Education

Essential

First-level university degree in law.

 

Desirable

Specialization in intellectual property law.

 

Experience

Essential

At least three years of relevant professional experience in the field of intellectual property law, and practice in the public or private sector.  An advanced university degree in law may be accepted in lieu of two years of experience.

 

Desirable

Experience in the field of patent law and practice.

 

Language

Essential

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

 

Desirable

Good knowledge of French or Spanish.

 

Job Related Competencies

Essential

 

Ability to design and conduct research and analyze defined aspects of legal issues.

Knowledge of legal principles of intellectual property law.

Excellent research and analytical skills.

Ability to draft legal texts in a clear, concise and logical manner.

Ability to communicate complex legal issues in written and oral form.

Organizational skills with the ability to work within strict deadlines.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint and the internet, and the ability to adapt quickly to new software.

 

 

 

1.      Communicating effectively.

2.      Showing team spirit.

3.      Demonstrating integrity.

4.      Valuing diversity.

5.      Producing results.

6.      Showing service orientation.

7.      Seeing the big picture.

8.      Seeking change and innovation.

9.      Developing yourself and others.

 

 

 

Mobility\:  WIPO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director General and may be assigned to any activities, office or duty station of the Organization.  Accordingly, the selected candidate may be required to move from time to time to new functions and/or to another duty station.

 

Annual salary\:

Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment.  The post adjustment (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change without notice in accordance with the rates as set within the UN Common System for salaries and allowances.  The figures quoted below are based on the May 2019 rate of 67.0%

 

P2
Annual salary	$47,322
Post adjustment	$31,706
Total Salary	$79,028
Currency USD

 

 

Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.

 

Additional Information

 

Initial period of two years, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance.  No fixed-term appointment or any extension hereof shall carry with it any expectancy of, nor imply any right to, (further) extensions or conversion to a permanent appointment.

 

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill other posts at the same grade with similar functions in accordance with Staff Rule 4.9.5.

 

Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of unrepresented Member States of WIPO and underrepresented geographical regions are encouraged. Please click on the following links for the list of unrepresented Member States and the list of underrepresented regions and the WIPO Member States in these regions.

 

The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised.

 

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By completing an application, candidates understand that any willful misrepresentation made on this web site, or on any other documents submitted to WIPO during the application, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process, or termination of employment with WIPO at a later date, if that employment resulted from such willful misrepresentations.

 

In the event that your candidature is shortlisted, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of an identification and of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link\: http\://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and these will be reviewed individually.

 

Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening.  Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory professional references.

 

Additional background checks may be required.