Classifications Officer - 26274-FT_LT

World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO; Genf; On-site; CHF 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva seeks a professional to participate in the formulation and implementation of its technical program for the Nice, Vienna and Locarno Classifications, and to provide secretariat services to the relevant Committees of Experts and Working Groups.

The role involves coordinating meetings, maintaining classification systems, liaising with IT and other units, and contributing to strategic plans and performance reporting.

Qualifications

• First-level university degree in law, economics, international relations, science, engineering, business, commerce, linguistics or other related field.
• Studies related to intellectual property.
• Experience: at least six years using trademark or industrial design classification systems for examination or classifying goods/services.
• Experience coordinating meetings at an international level.
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably French.

Responsibilities

• 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; prepare proposals and other documentation; draft sections of reports.
• Organize discussions on online systems and e-forum related to revision of the relevant Classifications.
• Review documents for committees and provide training and authoritative advice to examiners.
• Verify content and conformity with decisions; coordinate maintenance and development of the Section's website.
• Liaise with IT for platforms and tools; ensure up-to-date specifications.

Skills

Excellent English

Public speaking

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Education

University degree in law, economics, international relations, science, engineering, business, commerce, linguistics

Tools

AI-enabled applications

Digital collaboration platforms

Job description

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

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

Duty Station: CH-Geneva

Application Deadline: 14-Oct-2026, 11:59:00 PM CEST

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

1. Organizational Context

a. 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.

b. 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.

c. Reporting Lines

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

d. 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.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

• 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.
• Organize the discussions on the online systems and e-forum related to the revision of the relevant Classifications.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Participate in internal and external activities on the maintenance and development of the relevant classification systems.
• 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.
• As applicable, promote and contribute to the growing use of WIPO Global IP Services.
• Perform other related duties as required.

3. 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.

For more information, including on the salaries and benefits, please check the WIPO Careers website.