Associate Legal Officer

World Intellectual Property Organization; Genf; On-site; CHF 42,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) invites applications for an Associate Legal Officer in the Office of the Legal Counsel, Geneva. The role focuses on legal research, analysis, and drafting across public international law, administrative law, and treaty issues to support WIPO's operations.

The incumbent reports to the Deputy Legal Counsel and collaborates with colleagues across three sections, contributing to complex governance and contractual matters while ensuring compliance with

Qualifications

• Three years of relevant professional experience including legal research and drafting.
• Experience in public international law, treaty law, or administrative law.
• Experience in an international organization or legal office.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and analysis across public international law, treaty law, administrative law and contract law.
• Assist with depository functions of international treaties and agreements; prepare treaty-action notifications and maintain records.
• Review requests for observer status; prepare documents for admission of new observers.
• Support interpretation and application of Staff Regulations and Rules; assist in dispute resolution.
• Assist in pleadings for submission to the WIPO Appeal Board and ILO Administrative Tribunal.
• Support annual reporting on administration of justice within WIPO.
• Review and clearance of agreements and MOUs with partners and other entities.
• Provide legal advice on IT, data governance, procurement, and financial matters to ensure regulatory compliance.

Skills

Legal research

Legal drafting

Public international law

Administrative law

Contract law

English proficiency

Education

LL.B. or equivalent

Master's degree in Law

Job description

Job Description - Associate Legal Officer (26299-FT_LT)

Associate Legal Officer - 26299-FT_LT

Office of the Legal Counsel, Sector of the Director General

Grade - P2

Contract Duration - 2 years (maximum cumulative length of 5 years) *

Duty Station

CH-Geneva

Publication Date

09-Oct-2026

Application Deadline

09-Nov-2026, 10:59:00 PM

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 Context

a. Organizational Setting

The position is located in the Office of the Legal Counsel (OLC). OLC is responsible for providing legal advice and assistance to the Director General, the bodies of WIPO Member States, and the Secretariat to ensure that WIPO's activities and operations are conducted in accordance with its constituent instruments and applicable laws. The Office comprises three distinct sections: the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Section, the Administrative Law Section, and the Contracts and General Legal Section.

b. Purpose Statement

The incumbent provides comprehensive legal research, analysis, and drafting support across OLC. Operating in a highly dynamic environment, the incumbent assists in safeguarding the legal interests of the Organization by providing agile legal support to all three Sections, tailoring legal solutions to constitutional, administrative, and contractual matters.

c. Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the immediate supervision of the Deputy Legal Counsel.

d. Work Relations

The incumbent will routinely work with all OLC colleagues and, as part of the Office's mandate, will also liaise with other departments and offices in the Organization.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

• Conduct legal research and analysis to support the work of all three Sections in providing legal advice in the areas of public international law, treaty law, administrative law and contract law.
• Assist with tasks relating to the depository functions of international treaties and agreements administered by the Organization, through the preparation of treaty-action notifications, the updating of information relating thereto, and the maintenance of records.
• Assist with the review and processing of requests by intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations for permanent observer status in the Organization and the provision of requisite information to Member States, including the preparation of documents for the admission of new observers.
• Contribute to the resolution of legal questions relating to the interpretation and application of the Staff Regulations and Rules and to disputes as to their application.
• Assist in the preparation of pleadings and other documents for submission to the WIPO Appeal Board and the ILO Administrative Tribunal.
• Support the process of annual reporting on matters pertaining to WIPO's administration of justice system.
• Contribute to the review and clearance of agreements, memoranda of understanding and partnership arrangements concluded between the Organization and governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental organizations as well as other public or private entities.
• Support the provision of legal advice relating to operational activities of the Organization, including information technology and digital transformation initiatives, data governance, procurement, property management and financial matters, to ensure compliance of WIPO's activities with its regulatory framework.
• Perform other tasks in the area of competence as required.

3. Requirements

First-level university degree in law.

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in law, preferably with a specialization in public international law, administrative law, or commercial law.

Experience (Essential)

• At least three years of relevant professional experience, including experience in legal research and drafting, and providing legal analyses and/or advice in a law firm, corporate legal department, government agency, or international organization.
• Relevant professional experience in one or more of the following areas: public international law, treaty law, the law of international organizations, administrative law, dispute resolution, or contract law.
• Experience working in an international organization, public administration, or judicial institution.
• Experience reviewing contracts, partnership agreements or institutional governance documentation.
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.
• Ability to work in other UN languages.
• Good working knowledge of French.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Digital Literacy and Technology Adaptability:

Proficiency in legal research databases, document management systems and digital productivity tools.

Ability to leverage technology to support legal research, analysis and drafting, and adapt to emerging technologies while maintaining accuracy, sound judgment and confidentiality.

Legal Knowledge and Subject Matter Expertise:

Broad understanding of public international law, administrative law, and contract law.

Good knowledge of the legal issues related to the governance and constitutional/treaty basis of international organizations and/or their internal justice systems.

Legal Research, Analysis and Problem Solving:

Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a strong ability to conduct comprehensive legal research independently.

Legal Drafting and Communication:

Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to draft clear, precise, and well-reasoned legal texts and opinions.

Adaptability and Results Orientation:

Flexibility and team spirit.

Ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure, adapt to shifting priorities across the three Sections and respect deadlines.

Interpersonal Effectiveness and Collaboration:

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

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Knowledge of International Organizational Legal Frameworks:

Good understanding of the legal procedures and regulatory frameworks applicable to the United Nations common system or similar international organizations.

1. Communicating effectively.

2. Showing team spirit.

3. Demonstrating integrity.

5. Producing results.

6. Showing service orientation.

7. Seeing the big picture.

8. Seeking change and innovation.

9. Developing yourself and others.

5. Inform

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.

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 September 2026 rate of 83.7 %.

P2

$50,377

Post adjustment

$42,166

$92,543

Currency USD

Salaries and allowances are paid in Swiss francs at the official rate of exchange of the United Nations.

* Initial fixed-term appointment of two years, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and other applicable conditions. The selected candidate’s appointment will be subject to an overall term of five years in this position, with normally no possibility of renewal beyond that term. S/he may, however, apply and be considered for other positions at WIPO.

This overall term of five years is not applicable to WIPO staff members on permanent, continuing or regular fixed-term appointments.

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. 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 your identification and the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO recognizes higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list maintained by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed here: http://www.whed.net/ . Some higher educational qualifications may not be listed in WHED, and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

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.