ABOUT THE COMPANY:

Inside WIPO What is WIPO? WIPO is the global forum for intellectual property (IP) services, policy, information and cooperation. We are a self-funding agency of the United Nations, with 193 member states. Our mission is to lead the development of a balanced and effective international IP system that enables innovation and creativity for the benefit of all. Our mandate, governing bodies and procedures are set out in the WIPO Convention, which established WIPO in 1967

JOB SUMMARY

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.

a.    Organizational Setting

The post is located in the Office of the Legal Counsel (OLC). OLC is responsible for providing legal advice and assistance to the Director General, to the bodies of WIPO Member States and to the Secretariat on constitutional, administrative, contractual, and general legal matters and in respect of the depository functions of WIPO-administered treaties, in harmony with statutory requirements and applicable law.

b.    Purpose Statement

The main role of the incumbent is to advise and act on legal aspects of human resources and administrative matters.

c.     Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head, Administrative Law Section.

d.    Work Relations

The incumbent collaborates with a wide range of internal stakeholders in relevant divisions within WIPO and occasionally with external stakeholders for the delivery of the work as appropriate.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.  Represent the Organization before the WIPO Appeal Board and the ILO Administrative Tribunal; prepare and review pleadings and other necessary documents submitted to these bodies.

b.  Review work-related grievances, rebuttals of performance appraisals, requests for review of administrative decisions and disciplinary cases in accordance with established procedures; advise on the decision to be made and draft the proposed response for the Director General.

c.  Assist in the resolution of legal questions relating to the interpretation and application of the Staff Regulations and Rules and to disputes as to their application.

d.  Provide advice on the legal acceptability of proposed actions and remedies for actions relating to personnel already taken with or without financial implications for the Organization.

e.  Contribute to the resolution of issues from a policy and legal angle as they relate to talent management, creating and upgrading HR practices and policies, working closely with end users and in close collaboration with the Talent Service colleagues who provide the specialized HR expertise.

f.   Review new or existing policies related to Talent Management, to ensure alignment with Organizational needs, and to promote stronger people-orientation and HR best practice beyond the UN system, including benchmark organizations.

g.  Remain abreast of latest trends in HR and relevant developments in HR policy issues that could have an impact on the Organization.

h.  Perform other related duties as requested.

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in law. A first-level university degree plus an additional two years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Education (Desirable)

Specialization in administrative law.

Experience (Essential)

At least seven years of relevant legal experience gained in an intergovernmental organization or national administration or by working for a law firm of which a minimum of four years must be in, or related to, administrative law.

At least four years of experience in litigation gained at the domestic or international level.

Experience in the application and interpretation of the staff regulations and rules of intergovernmental organizations or of comparable administrative legislation.

Experience providing legal and policy advice.

Experience (Desirable)

Admission to the Bar in a national jurisdiction.

Experience of working in a UN common system organization.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and good knowledge of French.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other UN official languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Sound knowledge of applicable legal principles of international administrative law.

Strong conflict resolution and negotiation skills.

Ability to formulate legal opinions on complex questions and draft complex legal texts.

Ability to conduct comprehensive legal research independently.

Ability to communicate complex legal subject matters to a diverse audience.

Good knowledge of HR policies on talent attraction and management, both in the private sector and the UN system.

Ability to think critically, with a flexible and open-minded approach to problem solving, bearing in mind the needs of the end user.

Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work under pressure and to respect deadlines.

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

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint and social media, and the ability to adapt quickly to new technology.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Knowledge of case law, practices and procedures applicable to UN common system organizations.

1.     Communicating effectively.

2.     Showing team spirit.

3.     Demonstrating integrity.

4.     Valuing diversity.

5.     Producing results.

6.     Showing service orientation.

7.     Seeing the big picture.

8.     Seeking change and innovation.

9.     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.

Annual salary:

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 July 2024 rate of 89.2%

Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.

Additional Information

* Initial period of two years, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance.  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.

Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of unrepresented Member States of WIPO and underrepresented geographical regions are encouraged. Please click on the following links for the list of unrepresented Member States and the list of underrepresented regions and the WIPO Member States in these regions.

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 an identification and of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and these will be reviewed individually.

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.

How to Apply
Step 1: Please re-read this job description from the beginning to the end.
Step 2: Click the APPLY FOR JOB button at the end of this job advert.
Step 3: After going to parent website, please read instructions carefully and ensure you apply as soon as possible.

Good luck!