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 Copyright Law Division of the Copyright and Creative Industries Sector. This Division is responsible for the implementation of WIPO's strategic goal concerning the balanced evolution of the multilateral framework for intellectual property in the area of copyright and related rights. The Division provides assistance to Member States in drafting and updating their national copyright and related rights legislation as well as becoming party to and implementing the WIPO copyright and related rights treaties. The incumbent works as part of a team of lawyers that facilitates discussions and normative outcomes for the international law of copyright and related rights by acting as the Secretariat for the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR). The team also advises Member States in the development of balanced legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks in this area, including with respect to copyright and related rights in the digital environment.

 

b.    Purpose Statement

 

The main role of the incumbent is to provide assistance to Member States in drafting and updating their national legislation and adhering to and implementing the WIPO copyright and related rights treaties, and to conduct legal research and draft legal documents related to legislative assistance and treaty adherence and implementation.

 

c.    Reporting Lines

 

The incumbent reports to and works under the direct supervision of the Counsellor in CLD who focuses on legislative and treaty advice, under the guidance of the Director of the Copyright Law Division.

 

d.    Working Relations

 

The incumbent works closely with other professionals in CCIS, primarily from the Copyright Law Division, the Copyright Management Division, and the Copyright Development Division.

 

 

 

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties\:

 

a.   Plans and prepares initial drafts of legislative and regulatory advice related to international and national copyright and related rights protection for review by senior colleagues.

 

b.   Prepares and supports the delivery of legislative, regulatory and policy advice to WIPO Member States related to implementation of WIPO copyright and related rights treaties in national legislation and regulations.

 

c.   Prepares drafts of documentation, examples, and model language to be used in providing legislative, regulatory and policy advice on copyright and related rights to WIPO Member States.

 

d.   Monitors developments and carries out legal research on subjects related to international and national copyright and related rights, including topics related to copyright in the digital environment.

 

e.   Plans and prepares initial drafts of legal documents related to copyright and related rights for review by senior colleagues, including undertaking legal research for the preparation of papers, studies, memoranda, correspondence, and other types of documents as requested.

 

f.    Supports and carries out preparatory arrangements for result-oriented conferences, seminars, workshops and other activities convened by the Division, and prepares drafts of Secretariat documents for these activities.

 

g.   Prepares for and participates in conferences, seminars, workshops and other activities at an appropriate level, including drafting and/or delivering presentations on WIPO copyright and related rights treaties and related international and national subjects for a wide variety of audiences.

 

h.   Contributes to the preparation of internal WIPO reports and other administrative documents for the Division.

 

i.    Performs other related duties as required.

 

 

 

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree in law that would qualify incumbent to practice law.

 

Education (Desirable)

Advanced university degree in law.

 

Specialization in intellectual property law, including studies in copyright and related rights.

 

Experience (Essential)

At least three years of relevant professional legal experience in the public or private sector.

 

Experience (Desirable)

Experience conducting legal research in the area of copyright and related rights.

 

Experience working with multilateral copyright and related rights treaties.

 

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and one other UN language.

 

Language (Desirable)

Good written and spoken knowledge of another UN language.

 

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

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

 

Ability to present information clearly and logically in written and verbal form.

 

Ability to organize and coordinate projects or aspects of projects in order to work toward defined results.

 

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 internet.

 

Excellent skills in prioritization and time management, and strong attention to detail.

 

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Knowledge of legal principles of copyright and related rights law.

 

Knowledge of WIPO copyright and related rights treaties.

 

Knowledge of legislative drafting principles and techniques.

 

Good knowledge of project management techniques, including planning, implementation and monitoring.

 

 

 

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.  Please note that this estimate is for information only.  The post adjustment multiplier (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change (increase or decrease) without notice.  The figures quoted below are based on the October 2023 rate of 83.3 %

 

P2
Annual salary	$49,254
Post adjustment	$41,029
Total Salary	$90,283
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.