Head, Patents and Treaties Law Section

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.

1.      Organizational Context

a.    Organizational Setting

The post is located in the Patents and Treaties Law 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 trade secrets with an eye on emerging trends and challenges, and assisting Member States in crafting and implementation of their national and regional normative framework in these areas.

The Section is responsible for facilitating the international discourse on matters of global importance and emerging trends, as well as the administration of certain patent-related treaties. With the goal of the progressive development of the international patent system, it provides the Secretariat for the Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP), and participates in the coordination of the implementation of the WIPO Strategy on Standard Essential Patents. The Section carries out awareness raising and education on trade secrets, and provide capacity building, training and materials on specific aspects of patent law and policy. Through the provision of comprehensive and reliable information, the Section also assists Member States in the development of balanced legislative and policy frameworks.

b.    Purpose Statement

The Head of the Section is responsible for the management of the Section's work and overseeing the provision of SCP Secretariat services; the administration of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (Paris Convention), the Patent Law Treaty (PLT), and the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure (Budapest Treaty); as well as substantially contributing to WIPO’s work on SEPs and leading the activities on trade secret protection; organizing events and providing materials on specific aspects of patent law and policy and of related areas, with a special focus on global health and the impact of AI on patent policy, in collaboration with other units in the Organization; including the maintenance and enriching of WIPO’s patent law and trade secret related webpages. The delivery of the above is guided by customer orientation and the digitization of the Section’s services, where possible.

c.    Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Director of the Patent and Technology Law Division.

2.     Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.  Advise, make recommendations to and support the Director of the Division in the development and implementation of the Division’s strategic plans and policies.

b.  Lead, plan and control the work of the Section ensuring the effective management and efficient use of all financial, human and other resources; submit planning and budget proposals and activities in conformity with defined outcomes and objectives; supervise, evaluate and monitor individual and team performance levels.

c.  Monitor and follow current and emerging themes in patent law and policy and make suggestions on updating WIPO’s work in such matters.

d.  Provide the Secretariat services to the Chair and membership of the Standing Committee on the Law of Patents and any other ad hoc or permanent technical body that addresses patent law issues falling in the mandate of the Division.

e.  Substantively contribute to the coordination of the implementation of WIPO’s Strategy on Standard Essential Patents.

f.   Draft or review international legal instruments such as draft treaty or agreement texts, where the International Bureau is mandated to do that.

g.  Oversee the administration and promotion of the Paris Convention, the PLT and the Budapest Treaty, including outreach and assistance to Member States in accession or implementation.

h.  Organize events, symposia and conferences in the areas of responsibility. Organize and participate in seminars, workshops and training courses, including preparation of technical documents and delivery of lectures and presentations. Represent the Organization at meetings convened by Member States and other stakeholders and provide expertise and advice on aspects of patent law.

i.   Coordinate, conduct, and commission research and studies on patent law matters.

j.   Review, revise and clear the patent law and policy aspects of draft materials, which have been passed to the Division for review and comments.

k.  Develop the Section’s services with due regard to customer experience and digitization.

l.   Undertake consultations and participate in negotiations with representatives of Member States or other organizations.

m. Perform other related duties as required.

3.     Requirements

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in law. A first-level university degree plus two years of relevant professional experience in addition to the years of experience mentioned below may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Education (Desirable)

Specialization in intellectual property law, with a focus on patent law.

Experience (Essential)

At least ten years of relevant professional experience in the field of patent law, including at the international level.

Managerial experience.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in working for an intergovernmental organization.

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other UN official languages, in particular French or Spanish.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Expert knowledge of legal and policy issues in patent law and the respective international treaties (Paris Convention, Patent Law Treaty, Budapest Treaty, TRIPS Agreement).

Good knowledge of principles and practices associated with project management.

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint and the internet as well as an awareness of generative AI tools, and the ability to adapt quickly to new software.

Ability to formulate legal opinions on complex questions and draft complex legal instruments and texts.

Ability to negotiate legal instruments and providing advice on matters of patent law to competent authorities, delegations, bodies, as well as contacts with other bodies of the United Nations common system.

Ability to communicate complex legal subject-matter to a diverse audience.