Legal Counsellor

World Intellectual Property Organization; Genf; Vor Ort; CHF 63.000 - 78.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva seeks a Legal Counsellor to coordinate the Copyright Law Division’s work and provide authoritative legislative, regulatory and policy advice to Member States. The role leads lawyers and coordinates with other WIPO sectors to support balanced copyright frameworks.

The incumbent will supervise staff, engage with international partners and contribute to cross‑sectoral teams, ensuring adherence to WIPO treaties and national implementations.

Qualifikationen

• Seven years of relevant professional legal experience in IP, public or private sector.
• Experience drafting legislative, regulatory and policy advice in IP.
• Experience with copyright and related rights in developing countries.
• Experience in a multilateral intergovernmental organization is preferred.

Aufgaben

• Draft, comment on, and provide legal opinions on texts and regulations for Member States.
• Lead research and analysis on needs of countries in IP law.
• Develop studies and projects on new areas of copyright law.
• Provide input to guides, opinions, and policy documents.
• Supervise junior staff and external consultants.
• Coordinate with national authorities and UN partners.

Kenntnisse

Legal drafting

Policy advice

Project management

Team leadership

Analytical thinking

Ausbildung

Advanced university degree in law

Postgraduate specialization in IP law

First-level law degree (in lieu option)

Jobbeschreibung

Job Description - Legal Counsellor (26269-FT)

Legal Counsellor - 26269-FT

Copyright Law Division, Copyright and Creative Industries Sector

Grade - P4

Contract Duration - 2 years *

Duty Station

CH-Geneva

Publication Date

31-Aug-2026

Application Deadline

30-Sep-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.

Organizational Context

Organizational Setting

The post is located in the Copyright Law Division, within the Copyright and Creative Industries Sector. This Division is responsible for the implementation of WIPO's strategic goal concerning the balanced evolution of the international normative framework for intellectual property in the area of copyright and related rights, including the adherence to and implementation of the Organization's copyright and related rights treaties at the national level, and for providing assistance to Member States in drafting and updating their national legislation in the field of copyright and related rights. The Division also functions as the secretariat for the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR).

Purpose Statement

The main role of the incumbent is to coordinate the work of the Division in providing authoritative advice and legislative, regulatory and policy assistance to Member States with a focus on areas related to the implementation of the Organization's copyright and related rights treaties. Under the guidance of the Director of the Copyright Law Division, the incumbent supervises and reviews the work of lawyers who provide legislative, regulatory and policy assistance to Member States in the design and implementation of balanced legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks in the area of copyright and related rights. The incumbent also coordinates the lawyers working with Member States to adhere to and implement WIPO copyright and related rights treaties. The incumbent contributes to the related substantive work of the Secretariat, including providing copyright legal, regulatory and policy advice as part of cross-sectoral teams within the Organization.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Director of the Copyright Law Division.

Work Relations

The incumbent works closely with other professionals in CCIS, primarily from the Copyright Law Division, as well as the Copyright Management Division and the Office of the Deputy Director General. The incumbent also collaborates frequently with other colleagues who provide legislative, regulatory and policy advice and assistance within the Organization.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Draft or comment on, and provide legal opinions and advice to Member States with respect to legal texts, draft bills, draft rules and regulations, policy documents, and other documents as requested by interested countries on copyright and related rights, or other related areas of the law. This includes providing assistance in adhering to and implementing WIPO copyright and related rights treaties at the national level.
• Undertake and supervise fundamental research and analysis of the needs of countries, or groups of countries, on copyright and related rights, or other related areas of the law as requested.
• Develop and lead studies or other projects, as requested, related to strategies in new areas of the law related to copyright and related rights.
• Draft and provide input to guides, legal opinions, publications and other documents pertaining to the functions and activities of the Division or the Sector.
• Supervise and guide more junior staff and external consultants, as requested, in producing high quality and timely legislative, regulatory, and policy advice for Member States.
• Maintain contacts with authorities of countries or groups of countries in all regions as well as with the United Nations agencies and other partner institutions with respect to legislative, regulatory, and policy advice activities.
• Coordinate activity, as appropriate, with other WIPO Sectors involved in providing legislative, regulatory, and policy advice to Member States.
• Coordinate and participate in internal and external training and awareness-raising activities, seminars and workshops; this includes organizing those meetings and delivering training and presentations.
• Coordinate and participate in training activities and meetings organized internally or by Member States, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations; this includes provision of legislative, regulatory and policy advice and assistance with respect to the law of copyright and related rights.
• Prepare work plans, reports, evaluations, and other administrative documents.
• Perform other related duties, as required and assigned.

Requirements

Advanced university degree in law. A first-level university degree in law or related disciplines that would quality the incumbent to practice law at the national level, plus two years of relevant experience in addition to the years of experience requested below, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Postgraduate specialization in intellectual property law including copyright and related rights.

Experience (Essential)

• At least seven years of relevant professional legal experience including in the field of intellectual property in the public or private sector, with specific experience in the field of copyright and related rights.
• Experience in drafting legislative, regulatory and policy advice in the area of intellectual property.
• Experience with copyright and related rights legal systems in developing countries.
• Experience in drafting legislative, regulatory and policy advice in the area of copyright and related rights.
• Experience in a multilateral intergovernmental organization providing legislative, regulatory and policy advice related to international normative instruments.
• Experience in project management.
• Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English and one other official United Nations language.
• Good knowledge of another official United Nations language.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

• Knowledge of project management methodology.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze legal questions and draft legal texts.
• Sound knowledge of applicable legal principles of copyright and related rights law and the WIPO copyright and related rights treaties.
• Ability to conduct research independently and present results in a clear and logical form.
• Strong team leadership skills.
• Excellent time management and work organization skills.
• Excellent project management skills or demonstrated commitment to gaining this expertise.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural 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.
• Strong attention to detail.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

• Excellent legislative drafting skills.
• Communicating effectively.
• Showing team spirit.
• Demonstrating integrity.
• Producing results.
• Showing service orientation.
• Seeing the big picture.
• Seeking change and innovation.
• Developing yourself and others.

Information

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%

P4

$77,326

Post adjustment

$ 65,186

$ 142,512

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. 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.

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‑of‑…

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.