WIPO -JPO Associate Legal Officer

Important: Under the JPO programme framework, the following position is open only to nationals of the Republic of Korea. For detailed information on the JPO Programme and recruitment criteria, please visit https://www.undp.org/jposc

1.    Organizational Context:

a.    Organizational Setting:

The post is located in the WIPO Judicial Institute, IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector (IES). The WIPO Judicial Institute provides online and offline platforms for the exchange of IP information and practices of common concern among national and regional judiciaries; supports Member States in strengthening the human and institutional capacities of the judiciary for IP adjudication; conducts and coordinates research and studies on judicial systems and decisions on IP; and develops and maintains the WIPO Lex database.
Coordinating with other vertical and horizontal WIPO sectors, IES is responsible for helping Member States develop their IP and innovation ecosystems to drive enterprise and economic growth. IES is also responsible for providing support for researchers and innovators, as well as enterprises, including SMEs, in IP commercialization and otherwise using IP for business growth; issues relating to the emergence of IP as an asset class; and the development of advisory expertise in these and related areas, for example, in national IP strategies.
b.    Purpose Statement
The JPO will assist in undertaking research and analysis duties aimed at supporting: the Institute’s technical assistance on national and regional regulatory and policy considerations for the judiciary; and the development of training materials for judicial capacity building activities.
c.    Reporting Lines
The JPO works under the supervision of the Legal Counsellor, WIPO Judicial Institute.

2.    Duties and responsibilities:

The JPO performs the following principal duties:

a)    Carries out legal research on subjects related to the judicial administration of IP, including national rules of procedure for IP cases, IP case management practices of courts, as well as IP trial and appeal systems in IP offices, and produces summary reports and memoranda.

b)    Assists in the development of the WIPO Judicial Institute’s draft resource tools and publications for judges, including by editing drafts, liaising with judicial contributors, and preparing draft correspondence, memoranda and reports.
c)    Prepares the initial drafts of the WIPO Judicial Institute’s promotional materials, including the Institutes’ webpage content, newsletter and articles.

d)    In support of the WIPO Judicial Institute’s continuing judicial education programs and other judicial capacity building activities, analyzes Member States’ existing IP laws and jurisprudence and assists in the preparation of draft programs, information papers, resource materials, correspondence and reports.
e)    In support of WIPO meetings for judiciaries organized by the WIPO Judicial Institute, including the annual IP judges’ forum and the master class on IP adjudication, assists in the drafting of initial memos and reports, conducts research for program development, coordinates judges’ participation and presentations, and participates in the meetings as relevant.
f)    Contributes to the preparation of internal WIPO reports and other administrative documents by collecting and analyzing relevant performance data.
g)    Performs other related duties as required.

3.    Requirements
 

Education (Essential)

First level university degree in law.

Experience (Essential)

At least three years of relevant professional experience in legal area.
An advanced university degree may be accepted in lieu of two years of experience.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience conducting legal research.

Languages (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English and Korean.

Languages (Desirable)

Knowledge of other United Nations languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Ability to conduct research and analyze defined aspects of legal issues. Good analytical and legal drafting skills in English.
Organizational skills with the ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure in order to meet strict deadlines.
Excellent interpersonal skills and the 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.
Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Good knowledge of the legal issues of intellectual property law, in particular in relation to judicial systems and jurisprudence.

4.    Learning Elements
 

During this JPO assignment, the JPO will acquire skills and in-depth knowledge about the national judicial administration of IP structures in WIPO Member States and national judicial approaches to resolving frequently litigated substantive IP issues, as well as project management skills to support international judicial fora or international research and publication projects.
The incumbent will also learn to provide technical assistance and to build common cross jurisdictional deliverables that take into account and respect distinct, national legal traditions, and economic and social circumstances. The JPO will have a unique opportunity to engage with leading IP jurists in courts, whose jurisprudence is shaping the development of IP and innovation ecosystems.
The JPO will also have access to the WIPO Training Catalogue and will be eligible to enroll for various training opportunities with the agreement of their supervisor.

5.    Organizational Competencies

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.

ANNEX 1 Conditions of Eligibility (Requirements by the Donor)

a) Korean citizenship 

b) Fluency in Korean and English 

c) Completion of university with a Bachelor’s degree 

d) Certificate of English proficiency test: Applicants should score a minimum of (i) TOEFL iBT 100 or (ii) TEPS 430 or (iii) IELTS 7 or (iv) TOEIC 900 

- TOEFL ‘Home Edition’ score is accepted while ‘MyBest Scores’ are not accepted 

- IELTS General Training and Academic test are both accepted 

- Test scores are valid for 2 years after the test date 

e) Not older than 32 years of age as of 31st December, 2025 (born after 1st January, 1993). The maximum age limit for those who served in the military will be extended accordingly: one year will be extended for those who served for less than one year; two years will be extended for those who served for more than one year and less than two years; three years will be extended for those who served for two years or more. 

f) Male applicants shall have completed the Korean military service or be exempted from it. Those who will be discharged from military service in the year of the application may also apply.

g) Applicants can apply for a maximum of two JPO positions sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea during the year of application. 

        2. Required Documents:  

Attachments needed (please note that once the application is submitted in the system, you cannot go back to upload documents or edit information)

Documents can be uploaded either as a single combined PDF or as separate PDF/Image files.

a) A copy of CV and motivation letter in English.

b) A scanned copy of applicant’s Resident Register in English.

c) A copy of university degree (Bachelor’s degree) certificate in English.

d) A copy of English proficiency test certificate. Please check the minimum requirements/scores above.

e) Only for male applicants who have completed the national military service: A certificate of Korean Military Service in English. The maximum age limit for those who served in the military will be extended in accordance with the Support for Discharged Soldiers Act and the Military Service Law. 

f) Only for low-income applicants: A scanned copy of a certificate of National Basic Livelihood Security Recipients issued in Korean and its unofficial translation in English. 

g) Only for persons with disability: A scanned copy of a certificate of person with disability issued in Korean and English. 

For general information on the JPO Programme of the Republic of Korea, please visit the website of the International Organizations Recruitment Center, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea at https://unrecruit.mofa.go.kr

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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