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 Setting

The post is located in the PCT Legal and User Support Section, PCT Legal and User Relations Division, PCT Legal and International Affairs Department, Patents and Technology Sector.  The PCT Legal and User Support Section deals with providing legal advice on PCT matters to all users of the PCT system (in particular applicants, their agents and PCT Contracting States), implementing changes to the PCT Regulations and other changes within the PCT system and reaching out to PCT users and potential PCT users through various outreach activities.

2. Purpose Statement

The incumbent’s main role is to provide legal opinions and assistance to users of the PCT system, to interpret legal provisions of the PCT and to provide legal drafts in relation to implementing improvements of the PCT legal framework.

3. Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Deputy Director and Head of the Section.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.   Provide information, advice and assistance to PCT applicants and agents, PCT Contracting States, industrial property Offices and PCT Authorities, on the legal functioning of the PCT.

b.   Provide information, advice and assistance to PCT Operations and other parts of WIPO on PCT matters.

c.   Design training materials, prepare and provide training courses, seminars and information meetings for users and potential users of the PCT as well as internal training for WIPO staff members.

d.   Perform legal work connected with improvements of the PCT system, including, in particular, the preparation and implementation of amendments to the Regulations, the Administrative Instructions and the Guidelines under the PCT.

e.   Prepare and update informative material on the PCT.

f.    Prepare studies, documents and meetings concerning the PCT, representing WIPO at such meetings, and preparing their reports.

g.   Develop and maintain close relations with stakeholders in target countries and identify opportunities to strengthen cooperation.

h.   Perform other related duties as required.

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in law, natural sciences, engineering or a relevant field. A first-level university degree plus two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Education (Desirable)

Specialization in patent law.

Experience (Essential)

At least seven years of relevant professional experience in the field of patents, either in the private sector, a national or regional patent office or an international organization.

Detailed knowledge of and significant practical experience, preferably at least five years, with the PCT.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

Language (Desirable)

Good knowledge of any other additional PCT publication language.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

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.

Excellent analytical and presentation skills.

Confident public speaker.

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and ability to adapt to new software.

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.

Mobility:  WIPO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director General and may be assigned to any activities, office or duty station of the Organization.  Accordingly, the selected candidate may be required to move from time to time to new functions and/or to another duty station.

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 April 2023 rate of 84%

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

Additional Information

* Initial period of two years, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance.  No fixed-term appointment or any extension hereof shall carry with it any expectancy of, nor imply any right to, (further) extensions or conversion to a permanent appointment.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill other posts at the same grade with similar functions in accordance with Staff Rule 4.9.5.

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.

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.