Legal Officer

Title of Assignment: Legal Officer

Name of unit/sector: Office of the Legal Counsel

Place of Assignment: WIPO Headquarters Geneva

Expected duration of assignment: From January 13 to December 31, 2025

1. Objective of the assignment

Under the immediate supervision of the Deputy Legal Counsel, and the overall supervision of the Legal Counsel, the Consultant will provide support and legal advice regarding constitutional, administrative, contractual, and general legal matters, in relation to specific workplan activities for 2025, as set forth below.

The assignment is limited in duration.

2. Deliverables/services

a) Assist with the preparation of relevant documentation for the launch of the nomination and electoral process of the Director General in 2025, and conduct research regarding all aspects of the process.

b) Assist with tasks related to the discharge of depositary functions and treaty actions following the successful conclusion of two new WIPO treaties.

c) Assist with OLC’s coordinating role within WIPO to generate proposals pursuant to the decision taken in 2024 by the Member States for the International Bureau to “take steps to ensure that publications on WIPO resources and platforms comply with the principles of sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders”.

d) Assist the Secretary of the Selection Panel (composed of representatives of the seven regional groups of Member States) with tasks in relation to the recruitment of two members of the Independent Advisory Oversight Committee.

e) Assist with the exercise of monitoring and contributing to the proposed revisions to the ICSC Standards of Conduct.

f) Assist with a benchmarking exercise within the UN Common System relating to the issue of home-based recruitment in countries where an organization’s privileges and immunities are not recognized.

g) Assist with the launch of an advocacy campaign to promote and secure the extension of privileges and immunities in WIPO Member States through their accession to the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the Specialized Agencies of 1947, or through bilateral agreements with WIPO to ensure the necessary privileges and immunities consistent with the 1947 Convention.

h) Assist with the preparation for the take-over by WIPO of CROMPI’s obligations (regarding the payment of pension benefits to former WIPO staff members and their survivors).

i) Perform other related duties as requested.

3. Reporting

The Consultant will report to the Deputy Legal Counsel, Office of the Legal Counsel.

4. Profile

Education: University degree in law, preferably with a specialization in public international law or administrative law.

Experience: Professional experience advising in the area of public international law, treaty law, the law of international organizations or administrative law.

Knowledge: Good knowledge of the legal issues related to the governance and constitutional/treaty basis of international organizations and/or their internal justice systems.

Ability to work in Geneva, starting as soon as possible, on a 100% basis.

Skills:

Excellent communication and legal drafting skills (essential).

Excellent analytical skills (essential).

Ability to conduct comprehensive legal research independently (essential).

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

Interpersonal skills with the ability to work well in a multicultural team (essential).

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

5. Duration of contract and payment

From January 13 to December 31, 2025. Applicants are requested to provide an indication of their remuneration expectations in Swiss francs (daily rate).