Associate Legal Officer

WIPO - World Intellectual Property Organization; Den Haag; On-site; EUR 45,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

World Intellectual Property Organization seeks an Associate Legal Officer in The Hague to contribute to legal development and expansion of the Hague System through legal research and drafting of material, with preliminary advisory support.

The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Division leadership, coordinating with offices on accession-related material, and may participate in international meetings, trainings, and policy discussions.

Qualifications

• First-level university degree in law, international relations or other related discipline, with a specialization in intellectual property law.
• Post-graduate degree in intellectual property law.

Responsibilities

• Undertake research and support the preparation of documents and the organization of meetings of the Working Group and the Hague Union Assembly.
• Prepare initial legal advice to design right-holders and Hague Operations Service.
• Conduct legal research and prepare initial drafts of selected legal material concerning the implementation and legal development of the Hague System; ensure the regular updates of such material.
• Prepare preliminary legal analysis and advice on the alignment of prospective Hague member domestic laws with the Hague System.
• Prepare initial drafts of dedicated pre- and post-accession material; support the organization of, and participate in, pre-accession consultations with prospective Hague members and post-accession legal training and activities for Offices of new Hague members.
• Represent the Organization and participate at the appropriate level in conferences, seminars and other meetings with Offices of Contracting Parties and users of the Hague System; prepare presentations and deliver lectures.

Skills

Legal research

Drafting legal texts

Communication

Networking

Team collaboration

Education

Law degree

IP law degree

Tools

AI-enabled tools

Databases

Online collaboration platforms

Job description

Job Description - Associate Legal Officer (26310-FT_LT)

Associate Legal Officer - 26310-FT_LT

Hague Legal and Treaty Promotion Division, The Hague Registry, Brands and Designs Sector

Grade - P2

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

Duty Station

CH-Geneva

Publication Date

26-Oct-2026

Application Deadline

25-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.

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

1. Organizational Context

Organizational Setting

The post is located in the Hague Legal and Treaty Promotion Division of the Hague Registry. The Division plays a lead role towards enhancing the global positioning and wider and more effective use of the Hague System through the expansion of its membership base and the optimal and continuing development of its legal framework, mainly through Hague Working Group meetings. The Division also provides legal advice to existing and prospective Hague members, as well as to design right-holders and the Hague Operations Service.

Purpose Statement

The incumbent contributes to the legal development and geographical expansion of the Hague System through legal research, drafting of selected material and preliminary advisory support.

Reporting Lines

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

2. Duties and Responsibilities

• Hague System Governance and Legal advice
  • Undertake research and support the preparation of documents and the organization of meetings of the Working Group and the Hague Union Assembly.
  • Prepare initial legal advice to design right-holders and Hague Operations Service.
• Accession Support and Representation
  • Conduct legal research and prepare initial drafts of selected legal material concerning the implementation and legal development of the Hague System; ensure the regular updates of such material.
  • Prepare preliminary legal analysis and advice on the alignment of prospective Hague member domestic laws with the Hague System.
  • Prepare initial drafts of dedicated pre- and post-accession material; support the organization of, and participate in, pre-accession consultations with prospective Hague members and post-accession legal training and activities for Offices of new Hague members.
  • Represent the Organization and participate at the appropriate level in conferences, seminars and other meetings with Offices of Contracting Parties and users of the Hague System; prepare presentations and deliver lectures.
  • Perform other related duties as required.

3. Requirements

• First-level university degree in law, international relations or other related discipline, with a specialization in intellectual property law.
• Post-graduate degree in intellectual property law.

Experience (Essential)

• At least three years of professional experience in intellectual property law, including experience in industrial design law at the international level.
• Experience of working with the Hague System.
• Professional experience working within a national or regional IP office.
• Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.
• Good knowledge of Spanish or French.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

• Good knowledge of the international IP system.
• Knowledge of the Hague system and its procedures.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Ability to draft legal texts and communicate complex legal subject-matter to a diverse audience.
• Excellent communication, networking and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Proficiency in digital tools, AI-enabled applications, databases, information management systems, 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.

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.

Salary & Allowances

• $50,377
• Post adjustment $40,453
• $90,830
• 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.

Additional background checks may be required.