WIPO is seeking a Full-Time Legal Officer in Geneva Office – IPWatchdog.com
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is seeking a Legal Officer in the Legislative, Policy and Technology Advice Section of the Patent and Technology Law Division, Patents and Technology Sector. The Division is responsible for the implementation of WIPO’s strategic goal concerning the balanced evolution of the international normative framework for intellectual property in the area of patents and related fields such as utility models and the protection of undisclosed information. The Section is responsible for providing legislative and policy assistance to Member States in the design and implementation of balanced legislative, regulatory, and policy frameworks in the aforementioned fields of IP. This full-time position is located in Geneva.
The main role of the incumbent is to conduct legal research and consultations in different areas of substantive patent law with the aim to provide legislative and policy advice to Member States. The assistance provided also covers utility models, trade secrets, and integrated circuit layout designs. The role includes reviewing legislative drafts and providing draft provisions or recommendations on policy options to requesting Member States. The role further includes contributing to the ongoing revision of the methodology of legislative and policy advice. The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head of the Section.
Job Summary:
Job Title: Legal Officer – 23155-FT
Department – Legislative, Policy and Technology Advice Section, Patent and Technology Law Division, Patents and Technology Sector
Grade – P3
Contract Duration – 2 years *
Duty Station – CH-Geneva
Application Deadline – 05-Jul-2023, 5:59:00 PM
* 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.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:
- Draft and review legislative provisions, draft bills or other documents submitted to the Secretariat or requested by interested countries in the field of patents, utility models, trade secrets and integrated circuit layout designs.
- Conduct research with the aim of drawing up advisory papers and legislative drafting aids on selected topics of substantive patent law.
- Contribute to the documentation and revision of legislative advice methodology, including the preparation of templates, checklists and toolkits facilitating the provision of legislative assistance.
- Undertake visits to Member States or organize virtual meetings, as appropriate, in order to hold formal consultations with government officials, policymakers, legislative draftspersons and other relevant stakeholders in the framework of legislative assistance.
- Organize, conduct and/or participate as speaker in seminars and workshops held by the Secretariat or other IGOs or NGOs.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Qualifications Required:
- A first-level university degree in law is essential for this position.
- Candidates are required to have at least six years of relevant professional experience in patent law, including experience in at least one of the following in the field of patents: policy design, law-making, legislative drafting, prosecution or litigation, and transactional work.
- Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and Spanish is essential to this position.
- Ability to draft complex legal texts.
- Ability to conduct comprehensive legal research independently.
- Excellent analytical skills.
- Good knowledge of legal and policy issues of patent law and the respective international treaties.
- Ability to communicate complex legal subject-matter to a diverse audience.
- Excellent time management and organizational skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
- Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the ability to adapt to new technologies quickly.
Required Organizational Competencies:
- Communicating effectively.
- Showing team spirit.
- Demonstrating integrity.
- Valuing diversity.
- Producing results.
- Showing service orientation.
- Seeing the big picture.
- Seeking change and innovation.
- Developing yourself and others.
Additional Desirable Competencies:
- Specialization in patent law.
- Professional experience in trade law and/or the law of treaties.
- Research or practical experience with emerging topics in IP policy (such as AI, public health or economic development).
- Familiarity with IP office procedures relating to patent examination and oppositions.
- Good knowledge of either French or Arabic.
- Knowledge of other UN official languages.
Interested Candidates:
Interested candidates are asked to Apply Online, and include a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and transcripts (undergrad, graduate, and law).
Please mention you found the position on the IPWatchdog JobOrtunities™ Job Board.
About the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO):
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the global forum for intellectual property (IP) services, policy, information and cooperation. We are a self-funding agency of the United Nations, with 193 member states.
Our mission is to lead the development of a balanced and effective international IP system that enables innovation and creativity for the benefit of all. Our mandate, governing bodies and procedures are set out in the WIPO Convention, which established WIPO in 1967.
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.
JobOrtunities Help Wanted
IPWatchdog.com has been a trusted resource on intellectual property for tens of millions of unique visitors for nearly 2 decades. Recognized as one of the leading sources for news, information, […see more]
