Legal Officer - 26258-FT

World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO; Genf; Vor Ort; CHF 110.000 - 150.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO seeks an experienced lawyer to provide legislative and policy advice in patents, utility models, trade secrets and IC layout designs. The role involves analyzing complex IP law, drafting legislative instruments, and supporting capacity-building for Member States in Geneva.

The incumbent will conduct legal research, prepare advisory papers, and contribute to streamlined drafting procedures while engaging in Outreach activities to strengthen IP

Qualifikationen

• First-level university degree in law and specialization in patent law.
• At least six years of relevant professional experience in patent law.
• Experience in policy design, law-making, legislative drafting, prosecution or litigation.
• Research or practical experience with emerging IP topics (AI, public health, etc.).
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English; knowledge of other UN languages is a plus.

Aufgaben

• Review and draft legal and policy advice on patent provisions and related instruments.
• Conduct comprehensive legal and policy research on selected patent law topics.
• Develop templates, checklists, and tools to support legislative assistance.
• Engage with Member States through consultations, seminars, and capacity-building activities.
• Deliver high-quality, customer-focused legislative and policy advisory services.

Kenntnisse

Patent law

Policy analysis

Legislative drafting

Research skills

English proficiency

Multicultural communication

Legal writing

Ausbildung

Law degree

Tools

AI-enabled tools

Online collaboration platforms

Jobbeschreibung

Legislative, Policy and Technology Advice Section (LPAS), Patent and Technology Law Division, Patents and Technology Sector

Contract Duration - 2 years *

Duty Station: CH-Geneva

Application Deadline: 23-Sep-2026, 11:59:00 PM CET

1. Organizational Context

a. Organizational Setting

The position is located in the Legislative, Policy and Technology Advice Section (LPAS) of the Patent and Technology Law Division, Patents and Technology Sector. The 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 patents and related fields, such as utility models and the protection of undisclosed information. The Section is responsible for providing legislative and policy assistance to Member States in the design and implementation of balanced legislative, regulatory, and policy frameworks in the aforementioned fields of IP.

b. Purpose Statement

To strengthen Member States' capacity to develop effective, balanced and innovation-supportive intellectual property frameworks by providing high-quality legislative and policy advice in the fields of patents, utility models, trade secrets and integrated circuit layout designs. Through expert legal analysis, legislative assistance, outreach and capacity-building, the role helps ensure that Member States have access to practical and reliable guidance for informed policy-making and the development of robust IP systems.

c. Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head of the Section (LPAS).

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

• Review, revise and provide legal and policy advice on legislative provisions, draft legislation, other legislative instruments, and policy documents submitted by Member States, and prepare such documents at the request of Member States in the fields of patents, utility models, trade secrets and integrated circuit layout designs.
• Conduct comprehensive legal, policy and comparative research on selected topics of substantive patent law, and prepare advisory papers, policy briefs and legislative drafting aids that are accurate, analytically robust and fit for their intended legislative and policy purposes.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of LPAS's legislative advice procedures and methodology, including the preparation and maintenance of templates, checklists and tools to support the delivery of legislative assistance.
• Promote PTLD's legislative assistance services by proactively engaging with Member States, identifying opportunities for legislative and policy support, and, as appropriate, conducting in-person and virtual consultations, seminars, workshops and other outreach and capacity-building activities.
• Contribute to a culture of delivering high-quality, customer-focused legislative and policy advisory services by understanding the evolving needs of Member States, being proactive and responsive to those needs, and identifying and addressing issues in a timely manner.
• Perform other related duties as required.

3. Requirements

First-level university degree in law.

Specialization in patent law.

Experience (Essential)

At least six years of relevant professional experience in patent law, including experience in at least one of the following in the field of patents: policy design, law-making, legislative drafting, prosecution or litigation, and transactional work.

Professional experience in trade law and/or the law of treaties.

Research or practical experience with emerging topics in IP policy (such as AI, public health or economic development).

Familiarity with IP office procedures relating to patent examination and oppositions.

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

Good knowledge of either Arabic or Russian or Portuguese and knowledge of other UN official languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

• Ability to draft complex legal texts.
• Ability to conduct comprehensive legal research independently.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Good knowledge of legal and policy issues of patent law and the respective international treaties.
• Ability to communicate complex legal subject matter to a diverse audience.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• 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.
• Ability to instill a customer-focused culture.
• 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.

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