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 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.

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.

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.

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the internet.

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Project management skills.

Familiarity with the activities and procedures of the United Nations system.

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 October 2024 rate of 95.3%

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.

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.