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 (CLD or Division), within the Copyright and Creative Industries Sector (CCIS or Sector).  This 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 copyright and related rights, and for providing assistance to Member States in drafting and updating their national copyright and related rights legislation.  The Division also functions as the secretariat for the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR).

b.    Purpose Statement

The incumbent contributes to the substantive work of the Secretariat related to copyright and related rights, including all activities related to the SCCR.  Among other tasks, the incumbent works as part of a team to coordinate the activities of the WIPO secretariat on the topic of copyright and related rights at the international, regional and national levels.  The incumbent works as part of a team that facilitates normative, policy and infrastructure outcomes in the field of copyright and related rights, including by organizing and delivering technical assistance activities.

c.    Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Director of the Copyright Law Division.

d.    Work Relations

The incumbent works in cross-cutting collaboration with CLD colleagues, the Copyright Management Division (CMD), the DDG's Office, the Regional and National Development Sector (RNDS), and other units of the Organization.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.   Undertake legal work connected with the topics on the agenda in the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) and the implementation of treaties in the field of copyright and related rights.

b.   Carry out secretariat responsibilities including making preparatory arrangements and providing support for meetings of the SCCR and other WIPO Committees, working groups and other bodies, and conferences, seminars and workshops convened by the Sector and Organization;  provide assistance and advice as appropriate when legal and procedural questions arise during activities and draft working documents for the SCCR and other meetings.

c.   Prepare papers, studies, draft texts and other documents of the Organization relating to copyright and related rights;  plan research and select and analyze the relevant legal materials to be used as the basis for such documents.

d.   Draft routine interpretations of legal instruments including WIPO treaties on copyright and related rights;  assist with the preparation of such interpretations in more complex or sensitive situations.

e.   Prepare and deliver skills development and capacity building projects for Member States on aspects of the copyright and related rights legal framework, including those reflecting topics under consideration in the SCCR.

f.    Prepare and carry out arrangements for meetings, conferences, and seminars convened by CCIS or by organizations and stakeholders with which CCIS collaborates, and prepare drafts reports on these events.

g.   Maintain close contact with national copyright offices and representatives of Member States, as well as with copyright and related rights stakeholders.

h.   Represent the Organization at conferences, seminars, workshops and other meetings, whether in-person or virtual;  as requested make presentations on the work of the Division and current issues in the field of copyright and related rights.

i.    Perform other related duties as required.

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree in law.

Education (Desirable)

Advanced university degree in intellectual property law.

Experience (Essential)

At least six years of relevant professional experience in intellectual property law, including at least three years of experience in the field of copyright and related rights in a multilateral intergovernmental organization.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience with organizing and delivering projects and activities in the area of intellectual property law.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English, French and Spanish.

Language (Desirable)

Good knowledge of another UN language.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of the international copyright and related rights system.

Excellent oral and written communications skills, with experience preparing and presenting a variety of types of material to a variety of audiences.

Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to interpret legal texts, plan and undertake legal research, and advise on procedural and substantive questions of law.

Excellent organizational skills, including a methodical and accurate approach to work with strong attention to detail.

Excellent ability to work independently with appropriate guidance from supervisor.

Excellent 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, with the ability to adapt quickly to new software and applications.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Knowledge of the WIPO treaties in the area of copyright and related rights.

Ability to manage complex projects.

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.

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 2024 rate of 95.3%.

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

Additional Information

Temporary appointments are renewable, subject to continuing needs, availability of budget and satisfactory performance with a maximum cumulative length of two years.

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.