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 Legal and Constitutional Affairs Section, Office of the Legal Counsel (OLC). OLC is responsible for providing legal advice and assistance to the Director General, to the bodies of WIPO Member States and to the Secretariat on constitutional, administrative, contractual and general legal matters, and in respect of the depository functions of WIPO-administered treaties, in harmony with statutory requirements and applicable law.

b.    Purpose Statement

In the context of breakthrough decisions by WIPO Member States to convene two diplomatic conferences to conclude and adopt two new treaties, the incumbent provides expert advice and support on the international legal and constitutional aspects of the Organization and its activities, including, notably, in this specialized context of treaty negotiations, ensuring high standards of quality and timeliness of delivery.

c.    Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Section.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.   Advise on a wide range of complex and often sensitive legal questions to the Director General, Member States, and Secretariat colleagues related to constitutional, procedural, governance, treaty and other public international law issues;

b.   Prepare, review and provide advice on documents for meetings of the governing bodies of Member States of the Organization and, in particular, expert advice on and legal drafting of required legal texts, applicable rules, and other documents for diplomatic conferences consistent with Organization practice and customary international law;

c.   Assist with secretariat functions and provision of expert legal advice in the context of breakthrough diplomatic conferences and international normative developments, as well as various committees thereof;

d.   Support the unprecedented surge in requests for legal advice and opinions in the context of the proceedings of WIPO governing bodies and meetings of its Member States, amidst an increasingly complicated and challenging multilateral framework;

e.   Advise on matters related to the depositary functions of the Director General regarding treaties administered by the Organization, including the preparation and review of treaty actions and notifications, consistent with Organizational and international law and practice;

f.    Provide support to the initiation of the complex and confidential process of the election of the Director General, the development of the related governing framework and required procedural and sensitive documentary guidance to Member States;

g.   Assist, where necessary, with the secretariat functions related to meetings of the governing bodies of Member States of the Organization, and other meetings convened by the Organization, providing legal advice on legal and procedural matters;

h.   Perform other related duties as required.

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in law, preferably with a specialization in public international law.

Experience (Essential)

At least seven years of relevant work experience in the area of law, including prior experience in public international law gained in a legal department of a national government legal service or in intergovernmental organization.

Experience (Desirable)

Prior experience advising in the area of treaty law and affairs, and/or the law of international organizations.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken), including ability to draft highly specialized legal texts with precision and clarity.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other UN languages, in particular French or Spanish.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of the legal issues related to the public international law, treaty practice, governance and constitutional/treaty basis of international organizations.

Excellent analytical and legal drafting skills.

Organizational skills with the ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure and to respect deadlines.

Sound political judgment.

Discretion and good diplomatic skills.

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

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

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 November 2023 rate of 82.7%.

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.