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

Coordinating with other vertical and horizontal WIPO sectors, the IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector (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.

Within IES, the position is located in the Internet Dispute Resolution Section of the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, which is a resource center for the resolution of IP disputes between private parties through alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods. The Center’s areas of activity are covered by the External Relations Section, the IP Disputes Section, the Business Development and Digital Copyright and Content Disputes Section, and the Internet Dispute Resolution Section. The Internet Dispute Resolution Section is responsible for the administration of domain name disputes filed under different policies and various related aspects of the Internet Domain Name System (DNS), as well as selected policy developments as they relate to Internet dispute resolution.

b.    Purpose Statement

As Legal Officer, the incumbent contributes to the legal and organizational work of the Section by contributing to the planning and supervision of the administration of Internet dispute resolution proceedings.

c.    Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Internet Dispute Resolution Section’s Senior Legal Officers.

d.    Work Relations

Internally, s/he liaises extensively with the Section’s Supervisory Team as well as with the Legal Case Managers, and key internal stakeholders such as the Office of the Legal Counsel (OLC).  Externally, s/he liaises with WIPO Domain Name Panelists, and ccTLD registries and Member States stakeholders.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.  Provide input for the development and implementation of Internet dispute resolution policies.

b.  Assign work to and supervise the work of Legal Case Managers.  Provide guidance on issues arising in the management of cases.

c.  Review decisions with a view to providing input to the Section’s Senior Legal Officers for the purpose of inclusion in WIPO’s publicly available case-related resources.

d.  Make proposals to the Section’s Senior Legal Officers on the selection of WIPO panelists based on case requirements.

e.  Maintain relations with and provide information to users, relevant organizations and registrars on Internet dispute resolution and operational matters.

f.   Represent the Organization at national and international meetings, participate in seminars, workshops and training courses, and deliver training and presentations on Internet dispute resolution matters.

g.  Keep abreast of developments and undertake legal research on Internet dispute resolution with a view to maintaining and developing WIPO’s role in this area.

h.  Assist the work of the WIPO ccTLD Program, which includes developing and managing relations with national and regional ccTLD registries and stakeholders, providing advice and conducting negotiations in connection with ccTLD policies and rights protection mechanisms, drafting legal instruments, notably international best-practice rights protection mechanisms for national domains, and overseeing updating of WIPO Center’s legal resources under its ccTLD Program.

i.   Perform other related duties as required.

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree in law.

Education (Desirable)

Advanced university degree in law.

Experience (Essential)

At least six years of relevant professional experience including in intellectual property law or alternative dispute resolution in a law firm and/or department or agency.

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.

Language (Desirable)

Ability to work in additional WIPO languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Knowledge of and ability to work within the policies and procedures applicable to the activities of the work unit.

Understanding of the use of information technology in the context of dispute resolution processes.

Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

Excellent time management and work organization skills.

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Highly adaptable to new environments, tasks and demands.

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

Competent user of databases, applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint and the Internet, and ability to work with and to adapt quickly 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 July 2024 rate of 88.4%

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.