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.

1.     Organizational Context

a.    Organizational Setting

The position is located in the Traditional Knowledge Division. The Division’s program lies at the intersection of innovation, biodiversity, cultural heritage, agriculture, health, human rights and sustainable development. The Division supports implementation of the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge, 2024 (the GRATK Treaty), and facilitates the ongoing international negotiations at WIPO on intellectual property (IP) and genetic resources (GRs), traditional knowledge (TK) and traditional cultural expressions (TCEs). The Division also undertakes a wide range of educational, training and technical assistance activities for the benefit of Indigenous Peoples as well as local communities, Member States and regional organizations.

b.    Purpose Statement

The main role of the incumbent is to support the Division's substantive, legal and policy work. The incumbent conducts research; prepares, reviews and updates analyses, studies, guides and other written materials; prepares legislative and policy advice; establishes and maintains collections of laws; makes presentations; and, follows the related work of other organizations, all in support of the Division’s normative activities and educational, training and technical assistance services, programs and projects.

c.    Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Director of the Traditional Knowledge Division.

d.    Work Relations

The incumbent works closely with other WIPO programs and Member States, the United Nations, intergovernmental organizations and other stakeholders, especially Indigenous Peoples and also local communities.

2.     Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.    Prepare and provide analyses, policy and legislative advice, studies, guides and other written materials and make presentations and conduct outreach related to the GRATK Treaty;

b.    Conduct research and prepare, review and update case studies, briefing notes, publications, collections and summaries of laws and other written materials and make presentations on legal and policy questions related to the work of the Division as a whole;

c.    Make substantive, legal and policy inputs towards the design, implementation and evaluation of the Division’s capacity-building, trainings and awareness raising activities;

d.    Keep informed of relevant developments in international IP policy and law in relation to the subjects covered by the Division, and where appropriate, provide substantive contributions to the work and programs of the United Nations and other intergovernmental organizations;

e.    Provide legal, legislative and policy advice in relation to the subjects covered by the Division, so as to assist Member States, regional organizations and other stakeholders to understand their options when making legal, legislative and policy decisions;

f.     Assist with the design, writing, delivery and tutoring of the educational, learning and training programs delivered by the Division, including distance learning courses;

g.    Perform other related tasks as required.

3.     Requirements

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree in law, with a post graduate qualification (such as a degree, diploma or completion of an accredited course) in IP.

Education (Desirable)

A record of academic work, such as peer-reviewed articles, book chapters or a dissertation or thesis, on IP and GRs, TK and/or TCEs.

Experience (Essential)

At least six years of relevant professional experience, including in the field of IP policy and legal analysis, preferably in relation to GRs, TK and/or TCEs.

Experience (Desirable)

Relevant professional experience at the international level.

Experience in working with Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of Spanish.

Knowledge of other UN languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Ability to analyze legal and policy questions and draft analyses, guides, studies and other materials.

Sound knowledge of applicable legal principles of IP law, especially in relation to GRs, TK and/or TCEs.

Knowledge of current IP and broader public policy issues relating to GRs, TK and/or TCEs.

Knowledge of international law and comparative national IP law relating to one or more areas such as biodiversity, cultural heritage, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, climate change, human rights, sustainable development and/or agriculture.

   Awareness of the aspirations, rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples. 

Communication skills with the ability to present clearly and logically in written and oral form.

Organizational skills with the ability to manage time and work within strict deadlines.