The deadline for applications has been extended until April 19, 2024.

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 position is located in the Patent and Technology Law Division, Patents and Technology 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 patents, utility models, trade secrets, and layout designs of integrated circuits.

One Section of the Division facilitates the normative development of the international law in the above fields of intellectual property at all levels of the normative hierarchy. Through the provision of comprehensive and reliable information, the Section also assists Member States in the development of balanced legislative and policy frameworks and practices.

The other Section of the Division is responsible for providing legislative and policy assistance to Member States in the design and implementation of balanced legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks in the aforementioned fields of IP.

b. Purpose Statement

The main role of the incumbent is to manage projects, conduct legal research and draft documents in different areas of patent law and related fields of IP including trade secrets, with special regard to Standard-Essential Patents (SEPs).

The role would also include participation in developing process manuals, information materials, and advisory documents with the aim of supporting the ongoing review of the methodology used when providing legislative and policy advice to Member States.

c. Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Director of the Patent and Technology Law Division, with agreed tasks assigned and reviewed by the Head of the Patent and Treaties Law Section and the Head of the Legislative, Policy and Technology Advice Section.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a. Coordinate the implementation of WIPO’s SEP Strategy within the Organization in accordance with an Implementation Plan, and manage projects where the Division is the lead; contribute to the drafting of documents, hold presentations and draft information materials about issues around SEP licensing from a policy perspective.

b. Conduct research and prepare Advisory Papers on substantive topics relevant to patents, utility models and trade secrets. An Advisory Paper includes a review of the available legislative options, benefits and disadvantages of those options, recent developments in best practices, comparisons of countries following differing approaches, and other relevant information. Engage with subject-matter consultants and experts, where appropriate, in the development of Advisory Papers.

c. Assist with the adaptation and implementation of a methodological review in legislative and policy assistance to Member States.

d. Carry out research on various topics in patent and trade secret law; perform comparative analyses of legislation and practice of different Member States.

e. Provide input and prepare initial drafts of working documents for WIPO technical committees and bodies, guides, legal opinions and other documents.

f. Organize, conduct and/or participate as speaker in seminars, meetings and workshops held by the Secretariat or other IGOs or NGOs.

g. Support the Legislative and Policy Advice Section in regular activities of drafting and reviewing legislative drafts or requests for legislative and policy assistance submitted by interested countries to the Secretariat on patents, utility models, trade secrets and protection of layout designs of integrated circuits.

h. Perform other related duties as required.

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree in law, political science, international relations, engineering or science, or other related fields.

Education (Desirable)

Advanced university degree in law.

Specialization in patent law.

Experience (Essential)

At least six years of relevant professional experience, including experience in patent law. Patent law experience may either be in policy design and law making, or in drafting, prosecution, licensing or litigation of patents.

Proven experience with Standard-Essential Patents, either from a policy perspective or from a transactional or litigation angle.

Experience (Desirable)

Familiarity with IP systems and patent law in developing countries.

Experience in policy or legislative drafting.

Proven track record in managing projects.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

Language (Desirable)

Good knowledge of French and knowledge of other UN official languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Ability to draft complex legal texts.

Ability to conduct comprehensive legal research independently.

Good knowledge of legal and policy issues of patent law and the respective international treaties.

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

Excellent time management and organizational skills.

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 ability to adapt to new technologies quickly.

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 March 2024 rate of 91.3%

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.