Classifications Officer

World Intellectual Property Organization; Genf; Vor Ort; CHF 82.000 - 111.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva seeks a Classifications Officer to support the Nice, Vienna and Locarno classification systems. The role provides secretariat services to expert committees and working groups, coordinates online discussions, and ensures classification integrity across multiple systems.

The incumbent will liaise with IT and other units, assist in planning and reporting, and contribute to the ongoing development of WIPO’s classification knowledge base.

Qualifikationen

• Requires a first-level university degree in a related field.
• Studies or certificates related to intellectual property.
• Excellent knowledge of English, both written and spoken.

Aufgaben

• Represent WIPO at meetings of committees and working groups.
• Coordinate online discussions and e-forums for classification revisions.
• Review documents and translations, provide training and advice to examiners.
• Verify content against committee decisions and maintain the section website.
• Collaborate with IT to keep platforms and tools up-to-date.
• Support workplan, monitoring, and performance reporting.
• Participate in activities related to classification systems.

Kenntnisse

English proficiency

Meet deadlines

Global collaboration

Ausbildung

First-level university degree in law, economics, IR, science, eng, business, linguistics or related field

IP-related studies/certifications

Tools

Digital tools & AI-enabled apps

Jobbeschreibung

Job Description - Classifications Officer (26274-FT_LT)

Classifications Officer - 26274-FT_LT

Mark and Design Classifications Section, International Classifications and Standards Division, Infrastructure and Platforms Sector

Grade - P3

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

Duty Station

CH-Geneva

Publication Date

14-Sep-2026

Application Deadline

14-Oct-2026, 9:59:00 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.

This post is a limited-term fixed-term post.

Organizational Context

• Organizational Setting
  

  The post is located in the Mark and Design Classifications Section of the International Classifications and Standards Division in the Infrastructure and Platforms Sector. This Division is responsible for the establishment, maintenance and dynamic updating of international classifications and standards to bridge the gaps between IP offices working in different systems and languages and to enable efficient data flow. The four international classification systems that facilitate and simplify IP searches, organizing information concerning inventions, trademarks, and industrial designs into indexed, manageable structures for easy retrieval are: the International Patent Classification (IPC), the Nice Classification (for marks), the Vienna Classification (for figurative elements of marks), and the Locarno Classification (for industrial designs). The Section is responsible for the Nice Classification, the Vienna Classification, and the Locarno Classification.

  
  


• Purpose Statement
  

  The main role of the incumbent is to participate in the formulation and implementation of WIPO's technical program in the fields of the Nice, Vienna and Locarno Classifications (hereafter "the relevant Classifications"), and to provide secretariat services to the relevant Committees of Experts and Working Groups.

  
  


• Reporting Lines
  

  The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head of the Mark and Design Classifications Section.

  
  


• Work Relations
  

  The incumbent works with relevant work units inside the Organization in particular in the field of Trademarks and Industrial design, and IP Offices of Member States.

  
  

Duties and Responsibilities

• a. Represent WIPO in and provide secretariat services to meetings of the Committees of Experts, and their Working Groups, of the Nice, Vienna and Locarno Unions (hereafter "the relevant Unions"); prepare proposals and other documentation for consideration, and draft specific sections of reports.


• b. Organize the discussions on the online systems and e-forum related to the revision of the relevant Classifications.


• c. Examine input from concerned work units and provide input to working documents for committees and other bodies; review such documents including their translations; provide training and authoritative advice to trademark and design examiners.


• d. Verify the content and conformity with the decisions of the relevant Committees of Experts, of the new versions/editions of the relevant Classifications before their publication; ensure follow-up on other decisions taken by the Committees of Experts and the Working Groups; coordinate the maintenance and development of the website of the Section.


• e. Liaise with IT experts for enhancing operational effectiveness and ensuring that related functional specifications of the publication platforms, the e-forum and other IT tools of the Section remain up-to-date.


• f. Support the preparation of the Section’s workplan and participate in the monitoring of its implementation; support the preparation of performance reports and strategic plans.


• g. Participate in internal and external activities on the maintenance and development of the relevant classification systems.


• h. Represent WIPO at meetings, seminars, training courses and exhibitions convened by Member States and other stakeholders on questions relating to the relevant Classifications, by making written and oral presentations and providing authoritative advice on matters relating to these Classifications.


• i. As applicable, promote and contribute to the growing use of WIPO Global IP Services.


• j. Perform other related duties as required.

Requirements

First-level university degree in law, economics, international relations, science, engineering, business, commerce, linguistics or other related field.

Studies (e.g. training, courses, certificate) related to intellectual property.

Experience (Essential)

• At least six years of professional experience in the use of Trademark or Industrial Design classification systems for the examination of trademark or design classifications and/or for establishing the classification of goods and/or services in trademark or design applications.


• Experience in coordinating meetings at international level.


• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.


• Knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably French.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

• Excellent knowledge of at least one of the relevant Classifications and good knowledge of the other two (Nice, Vienna, Locarno).


• Excellent knowledge of the procedures and functioning of the Committees of Experts and Working Groups of the relevant Unions.


• Good time management and work organization skills.


• Good communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to explain the rules, regulations and procedures governing the area of work to non-expert audiences.


• Strong presentation and public speaking skills.


• Strong analytical skills.


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


• Proficiency in digital tools, AI-enabled applications, and online collaboration platforms. Commitment to continuous learning and the adoption of emerging technologies.


• Communicating effectively.


• Showing team spirit.


• Demonstrating integrity.


• Producing results.


• Showing service orientation.


• Seeing the big picture.


• Seeking change and innovation.


• Developing yourself and others.

Inform ation

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 August 2026 rate of 84.3%

P3

$64,121

Post adjustment

$54,054

$118,175

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.

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.